SAN DIEGO (Interstat) — The Oregon State Beavers built a seven-run lead and then withstood a late rally by the San Diego Toreros to secure a 7-5 victory in a nonconference baseball game Friday night at USD Sports Center.

The Beavers, ranked among the nation’s top teams, improved to 12-4, while San Diego fell to 7-10.

Oregon State’s offense wasted no time, erupting for four runs in the top of the first inning against San Diego starter Diego Gutierrez. Jacob Galloway led off with a single and, after a strikeout, Easton Talt launched a two-run home run to right field. Josh Proctor followed immediately with a solo shot to deep left, staking the Beavers to a quick 3-0 lead before an out was recorded. The inning provided all the cushion Oregon State would need, though they added critical insurance runs later.

The early lead was more than enough for Oregon State starter Dax Whitney, who turned in a dominant performance. The right-hander pitched five no-hit innings, striking out nine Toreros batters. His only blemish was an unearned run in the third inning, which scored on his own throwing error on a sacrifice bunt attempt by Aden Howard that allowed Cade Martinez to cross the plate.

Whitney handed the ball to reliever Wyatt Queen, who continued the pitching staff’s strikeout prowess. Queen fired two innings, allowing one run on two hits while striking out four. The lone run against him came in the sixth on an RBI single by Andrew Gauna that scored Jayden Lobliner, who had doubled.

Oregon State extended its lead to 7-1 in the seventh when Jacob Krieg hit a two-run homer to center, scoring AJ Singer. They added what proved to be a crucial final run in the eighth. After Jagger Edwards relieved Chaz McRoberts for San Diego, Talt singled and Proctor was hit by a pitch. Aidan Gonzalez entered from the bullpen and gave up an RBI single to Singer, making it 8-2.

The most important sequence of the game came in the bottom of the eighth inning, as San Diego mounted a serious comeback attempt against Oregon State reliever Noah Scott. With the score 8-2, Gabe Springer singled and CJ Moran doubled to put runners at second and third with one out. After a walk to Gauna loaded the bases, Gage Mestas grounded out to first, driving in a run. Pinch-hitter Jayton Greer then delivered the biggest hit of the night for the Toreros, a two-run single through the right side that scored Moran and Gauna, suddenly cutting the deficit to 8-5 and bringing the tying run to the plate.

Scott was relieved by Albert Roblez after recording just one out while allowing three earned runs on three hits and a walk. Roblez escaped the eighth and then worked a scoreless ninth to earn the save. He allowed a two-out walk in the ninth but ended the game by striking out Springer.

Offensively, Oregon State collected 10 hits, with Galloway, Talt, and Singer each recording two. Proctor and Krieg homered, and Paul Vazquez added a solo home run in the fifth inning. San Diego finished with eight hits, led by Martinez who went 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored. Greer’s two RBIs on his lone pinch-hit were a team high.

The victory played out closely to the projection by Interstat, whose game simulator had forecast a 7-3 Oregon State win. Their ELO system gave the Beavers a 68.90 percent probability of winning.

The two teams continue their three-game series Saturday at USD Sports Center.