CORVALLIS, Ore. (Interstat) — Dax Whitney struck out 11 over 6 1/3 dominant innings and the Oregon State Beavers used a four-run second inning to defeat the Xavier Musketeers 4-2 on Friday night at Goss Stadium at Coleman Field.

The game turned decisively in the bottom of the second. After Xavier starter Ryan Piech recorded the first out, Oregon State designated hitter Bryce Hubbard launched a solo home run to right field to cut into an early Musketeers lead. The Beavers were far from done. AJ Singer singled and Cooper Vance was hit by a pitch before Piech issued a walk to load the bases. With two outs, Easton Talt drew another walk to force in the tying run.

Xavier summoned a reliever from the bullpen, but Adam Haight greeted him with a two-run single up the middle, scoring Vance and Ethan Porter to give Oregon State a 4-2 advantage. All four runs in the inning were charged to Piech, who allowed four hits and four walks while striking out five in four innings.

That outburst proved sufficient thanks to Whitney’s command. The Oregon State ace overpowered Xavier’s lineup, allowing just one earned run on two hits. He set the tone early, striking out the side in order in the third inning. Whitney’s 11-strikeout performance followed an identical strikeout total in his previous start, a 2-1 win over Houston on Feb. 27.

Xavier’s offense, which managed only three hits total, struggled to mount a threat. The Musketeers scored their first run in the fifth inning when Landon Mensik homered down the left field line off Whitney. Their only other run came in the ninth on a pinch-hit solo home run by Tommy Townsend off reliever Wyatt Queen.

Oregon State’s bullpen secured the win. Queen allowed one run on one hit over 2 1/3 innings, striking out four. Albert Roblez entered with two outs in the ninth and struck out the only batter he faced to end the game.

Xavier reliever Evan Vasiliou provided four scoreless innings of one-hit ball, keeping the Musketeers within striking distance after Piech’s early exit.

The Beavers improved to 8-4 with the win, while Xavier fell to 5-8. The teams continue their four-game series Saturday.

The most important part of the game was Oregon State’s four-run bottom of the second inning. After falling behind early, the Beavers sent ten men to the plate, capitalizing on a key home run, timely hitting with two outs, and patient at-bats to draw walks with the bases loaded. This offensive surge, highlighted by Hubbard’s homer and Haight’s two-run single, provided all the runs necessary for the victory, establishing a lead that Xavier’s stifled offense could not overcome.