Former Bulldog Bridger Holmes earns closer role for Beavers

North Bend graduate Bridger Holmes has earned the role of closer in his first season for Oregon State University’s national powerhouse baseball program.

Following his career in North Bend, Holmes went to Feather River Junior College in California, where he had a 14-1 record with a 2.92 earned run average over two seasons. He was a first-team all-league selection both seasons and struck out 162 batters in 129 2-3 innings.

At Oregon State, he picked up a win in relief in his first appearance of the season and then another win during the non-conference schedule.

He had his first spot as closer during a non-league series against Cal State Northridge, coming in with two on and a one-run lead in the ninth and getting out of the jam, part of what through Saturday had become a 12-game win streak for the Beavers.

He had another save against Northridge and then picked up a save in the Beavers’ Pac-12 opener against Utah last week, pitching a scoreless inning with two strikeouts in a 7-5 victory.

Through Saturday, he had made seven appearances, pitching 10 total innings and allowing four hits and no runs. Armed with a lethal slider, Holmes had struck out 16 batters.

Heading into Sunday’s series finale against the Utes, the Beavers were 17-1 overall and ranked in the top five in all the major polls, including first by one.