Standing on the steps of the home dugout at Goss Stadium, No. 3 Oregon State baseball’s Easton Talt leaned over to teammate Dallas Macias in the on-deck circle with a simple statement.

“Any way on and we’re going to win this ball game,” Talt said postgame, recalling the exchange.

It was the bottom of the 12th inning at Goss, with the clock a few ticks shy of 10 p.m. on Monday, April 21. The Beavers, playing their first game at home since April 6, were locked into a 3-3 tie with Gonzaga. The Bulldogs had recorded two outs, while two runners, third baseman Trent Caraway and catcher Wilson Weber, stood on first and second base, respectively.

Weber represented the tying run after dunking a single into right field, with a full-count walk by Caraway pushing him over to second base. For the previous six innings, the Beavers had been able to put a go-ahead run in scoring position and failed to capitalize.

Macias stepped into the box and drew a five-pitch walk from Gonzaga’s Kai Francis, bringing Talt to the dish.

The junior right fielder made good on his promise to Macias a handful of pitches prior, working a 2-2 count before shooting a low-and-away pitch to the left side of the infield.

Talt legged out the infield single, scoring Weber from third base for a walk-off, 4-3 win.

Talt never stopped running, either. The outfielder — who now owns two walk-off hits this season — kept sprinting until he reached the warning track and was met with a Gatorade bath. Talt said he was unable to identify the flavor of the Gatorade fellow outfielder Gavin Turley had dumped on him.

“I think every time I’ve made a good play or (had) a good swing this season, I’ve kind of blacked out,” Talt said, laughing. “As soon as I knew I beat (the throw) and we won the game, I just started sprinting… (Turley) was mad at me that he had to carry that big jug all the way to me.”

Talt finished the game going 2-for-5 with two RBI and a walk, joined by shortstop Aiva Arquette and centerfielder Canon Reeder in the two-hit day club. Weber finished his day 3-for-6, scoring the winning run.

After right-handers Wyatt Queen (2.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Ks) and James DeCremer (2.1 IP, 2 ER, 4 Ks) exited the game, Gonzaga never again scored. A quartet of relievers put on impressive performances, keeping the Beavers alive.

“The pitching staff did a tremendous job,” Beavers head coach Mitch Canham said. “I obviously didn’t want to throw so many guys, we’ve got another one tomorrow. But everyone came in with big time enthusiasm and intent behind what they were doing… (and) filling up the strike zone.”

Right-handers Laif Palmer, Joey Mundt, Kellan Oakes and AJ Hutcheson (3-0) worked the final 7.2 innings without ever surrendering a run and collecting nine of Oregon State’s 16 strikeouts. Palmer (1.2 IP, 1 K) and Mundt (1.2 IP, 2 Ks) each allowed a hit, while Oakes (2.1 IP, 4 Ks) and Hutcheson (2.0 IP, 2 Ks) issued a walk apiece.

The length of Monday’s win makes Oregon State’s pitching outlook a muddled one, with Canham saying he hasn’t named a starter for game two. Right-handers Zach Edwards and Zach Kmatz, as well as left-hander Tanner Douglas have the highest number of innings-pitched this season that did not appear in Monday’s game.

First pitch for game two between No. 3 Oregon State and Gonzaga is scheduled for 2:05 p.m. on Tuesday, April 22 at Goss Stadium.