Alex Keudell saw a nine-start winning streak come to an untimely end on Friday in Corvallis, giving up a season-high five runs in 5.1 innings as No. 23 Oregon State ran away with a 7-3 victory over No. 5 Oregon.
The loss also snapped Oregon’s own nine-game winning streak dating back to a May 5 loss at Arizona, and the Ducks (42-15, 19-9 Pac-12) fell into a tie for first place in the Pac-12 as the Wildcats (37-16, 19-9 Pac-12) won their series opener against Arizona State.
Though Oregon grabbed an early lead in the first inning when first baseman Ryon Healy blasted a two-run home run over the left field wall, but the Beavers (36-18, 16-12 Pac-12) quickly tied the score with a pair of runs in the bottom of the frame. The Ducks’ final run of the game came when catcher Aaron Jones singled home shortstop J.J. Altobelli in the second, and a three-run fifth inning for Oregon State proved too much to overcome.
In what was perhaps his worst start of the season, Keudell (10-4) allowed five hits and five walks while striking out just three. Reliever Joey Housey also allowed two runs in just 1.2 innings, and the Ducks were forced to burn through four pitchers in all. The Beavers, meanwhile, were buoyed by a solid if unspectacular start from Ben Wetzler (5.2 innings, three runs) and lights out closing work by Scott Schultz, who did not allow a baserunner in 3.1 innings.
The Civil War continues at Goss Stadium today at 1:05 p.m.