CORVALLIS, Oregon — A two-out RBI single by Wade Meckler in the bottom of the eighth inning with the bases loaded gave No. 20 Oregon State a 1-0 victory over BYU in game one of a three-game series on Thursday. 

Unfortunately for the Cougars, the run was unearned as Beaver left fielder Joe Casey reached first base on a throwing error to lead off the inning, and later scored after a walk and hit batter advanced him to third. The one run was all Oregon State needed as a trio of Beaver pitchers held BYU to one hit and five walks over nine innings.

“We had a few opportunities throughout the game but just couldn't get the big hit,” said BYU head coach Mike Littlewood.

BYU’s best scoring opportunity came in the top of the six when sophomore Payton Cole doubled down the right field line to open the inning. Sophomore Andrew Pintar and senior Mitch McIntyre then drew back-to-back walks to load the bases with no outs. Beaver starter Kevin Abel struck out the next three Cougars on 15 pitches to end the threat. 

BYU got outstanding pitching performances from sophomores Easton Walker and Mikade Johnson. The two surrendered just six hits and no runs over seven and a third innings, while combining for eight strikeouts. Oregon entered the game hitting .324 as a team with 61 runs in eight games. 

“Abel was very impressive tonight and Easton matched him pitch for pitch,” said Littlewood. “Easton gave us a great start and a chance to win against a talented Oregon State lineup.” 

Game one of the series had all the makings of a pitching duel, as Walker entered the game with an ERA of 0.84 with 6 strikeouts in 10.2 innings, while Abel had an ERA of 0.93 and 18 strikeouts in 9.2 innings. 

Both starters lived up to expectations as Walker faced 22 Beavers over five innings, giving up five hits and no runs, while Abel faced 23 Cougars over six innings, surrendering just one hit and no runs. 

Game two of the series is scheduled for Friday, March 5, at 5:35 p.m. PST. The game will be streamed live by Oregon State and also broadcast by BYU Sports Network on BYU Radio FM 107.9, BYUCougars.com and the BYU Cougars app. Game three is set for Saturday, March 6 at 1:35 p.m. PST.

CORVALLIS, Oregon — After spending nine days in Texas to open the 2021 season, BYU baseball heads to the Pacific Northwest for a three-game series with No. 20 Oregon State, March 4-6, at Goss Stadium. 

Game one is scheduled for Thursday, March 4 at 5:35 p.m. PT. All three games will be streamed live by Oregon State and also broadcast by BYU Sports Network on BYU Radio FM 107.9, BYUCougars.com and the BYU Cougars app. Live stats are available through StatBroadcast. 

BYU (3-5) is coming off a four-game series with No. 19 Texas in Austin. The Longhorns won the first three games of the series, while BYU captured the final game.

Oregon State (7-1) opens an 11-game homestand after playing eight games in Arizona, including a four-game sweep of Grand Canyon. The Beavers have won seven-straight games after dropping the season opener to Kansas State, 3-2. 

The Cougars and Beavers have previously met 22 times, with Oregon State holding a 7-15 series advantage. The last meeting came on Feb. 17, 2020 at the Sanderson Ford College Baseball Classic in Surprise, Arizona. With the score tied 3-3, the Cougars scored one run in the eighth, and then held Oregon State scoreless in the ninth for a 4-3 victory. 

Taking the hill for BYU in game one on Thursday is senior right-hander Easton Walker, who started one game and appeared in another last week. In 10.2 innings, Walker has an ERA of 0.84 and 6 strikeouts. The Beavers will start sophomore Kevin Abel who has pitched 9.2 innings over two games with an ERA of 0.93 and 18 strikeouts.

BYU Cougars (3-5, 0-0 WCC)
Head Coach: Mike Littlewood
Alma Mater: BYU
Division I Career Record: 225-174 (.564) 9th season
Record at BYU: Same

2020 Record: 7-9
Returning/Lost: 26/10
Starters Returning/Lost: 8/0
Fielders Returning/Lost: 14/5
Pitchers Returning/Lost: 12/5
Newcomers/True Freshmen: 10/5
2019 Record: 36-17
2019 WCC Record: 19-8
2019 WCC Finish: 1st
 
Oregon State (7-1, 0-0 Pac 12)
Head Coach: Mitch Canham
Alma Mater: Oregon State
Division I Career Record: 12-10 (.545) 2nd season
Record at Oregon State: Same

2020 Record: 5-9
Returning/Lost: 23/7
Starters Returning/Lost: 8/1
Fielders Returning/Lost: 13/4
Pitchers Returning/Lost: 10/3
Newcomers/True Freshman: 16
2019 Record: 36-20-1
2019 Pac 12 Record: 21-8
2019 Pac 12 Finish: 3rd