In an exhibition game on Friday, Oct. 25, the Oregon State Beavers took on the Linn-Benton Community College Roadrunners in a preseason exhibition game at Goss Stadium at Coleman Field. 

They delivered what turned out to be a 16-0 shutout.

The game took place on a cool and crisp October afternoon in Corvallis, and the game drew Beaver Nation baseball fans who are eager and curious to get an early look at the Beavers’ form, it’s safe to say that the team did not disappoint.

Although the game didn’t exactly get off to a running start. In the first few innings, the two teams fought their battles through a series of walks and steals. 

However, as the game began to get into the “dog days” of the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings, through a series of singles, doubles, and a home run by junior infielder Jacob Krieg, the Beavers put a wapping seven points on the board.

Pitching was irradiant as the Beavers came together for a no-hitter, preventing the Road Runners from gaining any traction. Beavers senior right-handed-pitcher Chase Reynolds, struck out three straight Road Runners to kick off the top of the fourth inning, giving Linn-Benton no room to breathe.

During the bottom of the fifth, after Krieg scored a run to first and the Road Runners missed the catch down left field, freshman infield catcher Ryan VandenBrink knocked out a home run, leading both Krieg and VandenBrink making it all the way home for two points. 

This momentum continued in the next play when junior infielder Jabin Trosky swung for the fences in a back-to-back ball to home plate.

However, even in this, the defensive coordination at Linn-Benton had its moments, displaying their own refinement. 

Most notably in a last-ditch effort to slow the Beavers’ momentum during the eighth inning, when the Road Runners stopped the Beavers’ effort to steal second base and then passed the ball to first, making for a turned double play and closing the eighth inning with no runs, no hits.

The decisive win sets a promising tone for the Beavers in the upcoming season, while Linn-Benton gained invaluable experience in playing against their “big brother” PAC-12 powerhouse. 

The Beavers will look to build on this momentum as they gear up for the 2025 spring season, hoping to carry forward the power and precision displayed in this fall exhibition.