Fuchs!!!

Oregon State overcame a four-run deficit to win last night against California.

The last time Oregon State overcame a four-run deficit to win?  February 15, 2019, the season opener against New Mexico in 2019.  The Lobos' ace, Justin Slaten (3rd Round, #86 Overall) threw a gem, allowing no runs on a single hit through five.  (He struck out Rutschman twice, one of five pitchers to strike out Rutschman more than once in 2019.)  Kevin Abel largely kept up with Slaten through five but allowed a two-run blast by Jared Mang (18th Round, #532 Overall) and then allowed a double.  Dylan Pearce came and struck out the first batter but allowed an infield base hit to put runners on the corners with one away.  Pearce almost was able to induce an inning-ending double play, but the batter beat the throw to first to allow a run to score 4-0 New Mexico.

That was still the score into the seventh.  4-0 New Mexico.  Joe Casey walked to start the seventh and Preston Jones was plunked.  Malachi Emond (18th Round, #528 Overall) came on to strike out Dukart and then induce Rutschman to fly out to left.  Beau Philp hit what should have been an inning-ending ground ball to second, but the second baseman's throw was wild, allowing Casey to score.  Tyler Malone walked to load the bases.  McGarry then hit a two-run base hit to right to score Jones and Philip.  4-3 New Mexico. 

In the ninth, Verburg and Eisert combined to allow three consecutive one-out base hits to allow the Lobos to tack on a run, 5-3.  Eisert then induced Mang to hit into an inning-ending double play.  Emond was allowed to pitch to the order for the second time to start the ninth, which was a blunder.  Dukart doubled and Rutschman singled him home.  Philip hit an infield single and Malone walked to load the bases for Greg Fuchs, who just beat the second baseman to win it 6-5.  That was Emond's lone loss on the year.

Fuchs provided an insurance run against Nebraska and West Virginia in two wins.  f%#*s hit an inning-beginning double against West Virginia to try and start a rally, but he was stranded at third.  Fuchs was able to get a base hit against Coastal Carolina to put two runners on with two outs.  Dukart ran for Fuchs, and the next batter hit into an inning-ending double play, which ultimately led to the 4-4 tie.  After the first four weekends, Fuchs was hitting .364 with a double and four RBI.  After the Coastal Carolina game, he was 1/19 on the season, striking out in his final two at bats.  Fuchs did not see any action after the end of April.  As I understand it, Fuchs tried out for but did not make the 2020 team.