The Barometer Online

Issue date: 5/13/09 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Jeff Wick Sophomore starting pitcher Tyler Waldron delivers a pitch against Gonzaga. Waldron threw a complete game two-hitter for the Beavers. Oregon State freshman infielder Carter Bell hammers a 2-2 fastball over the left field wall. Bell's home run was the first of his collegiate career.

As the Beavers' baseball team searched for its first win over Gonzaga in seven games, the game became about which team would have someone step up first.

Oregon State had two players step up when the team needed them to, as the Beavers took an 8-1 ballgame at Goss Stadium.

Against a team that Oregon State head coach Pat Casey feels will win the West Coast Conference, the Beavers were lucky in getting the performance they did from sophomore starting pitcher Tyler Waldron. With a Gonzaga offense known for leaving runners in scoring position, Waldron needed to take control of the game early - and he did.

Waldron sat down the first 10 batters he faced and took a no-hitter into the sixth inning.

"We've been struggling as a team lately, but I think we are really coming through," freshman infielder Carter Bell said. "We are working hard on off days and getting a lot of swings. I think it's coming around."

While Waldron flashed near perfection early from the hill, Oregon State struggled to get anything going after a one-run first inning. In the first, sophomore leadoff hitter Michael Miller singled to left before moving around the bases to score on a bases-loaded walk. With the bases loaded, Oregon State was unable to get anything else across the plate as freshman designated hitter Blake Gibbs struck out as did junior outfielder Logan Lotti directly following.

Nothing else was to come across the plate for either team until the top of the sixth when, with one out in the frame, Waldron surrendered his first hit of the ballgame in Gonzaga third baseman Jason Chatwood's single to right field. Having his no-hitter ended, Waldron gave up the only other hit the Bulldogs would acquire on the night as team hitting leader Tyson Van Winkle doubled off the left field wall, scoring Chatwood. Waldron was steady the remainder of the inning.

Continued...

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