Beavers Baseball does something they have never done

The Beavers won their opening game at the College World Series. It was a classic OSU win. They scratch out a couple of runs against the other team's ace and the defense and pitching gets the job done. That said, we were really lucky to have won after that misplayed fly ball by John Wallace that should have been the last out. You just knew there would be some drama after that.

Great games from Scott Sanchi and Jorge Reyes. They won the game for us. Now on to ASU. First, a couple of observations.

* Darwin Barney and Joey Wong had one of the best double plays I've ever seen. It made the WebGems on Baseball Tonight after the game. But props to Lechelt and Lennerton too for some great defensive plays as well. Great game.

* The Mike Lissman thing is not a good thing. The story is definitely getting some legs (ESPN link) and the mention of it in the first inning yesterday was just plain embarrassing. I could almost hear the yells of "cheaters!" from Charlottesville, Ann Arbor, and Eugene. In the future, when in doubt suspend the kid for a series. At least you can say you did something. You rarely get in trouble for punishing a little, but if you don't punish at all or let them off on a tchnicality, then you are putting yourself out there for major scrutiny. Just look at the red card situation with youth soccer.

* This experience is huge for guys like Jorge Reyes, Joey Wong, Blake Keitzman, and all the other young guys who will be leading us over the next couple of years. Jorge will be a great ace next season.


On to ASU:

* Their hitting reminds me of Michigan, only better.

* Brett Wallace has a 1.201 OPS to go with his .416 AVE, 16 HRs, and 78 RBI. Thats approaching Barry Bonds levels. Yikes.

* These guys take a lot of walks. Stutes needs to be on and around the strike zone or they will not help him out.

* They bat .348 as a team and have a .973 OPS. This will be the story of the game. Can our hot pitching beat their hitting.

* Not sure who they are pitching, but its not Mike Leake. Both of the remaining starters are good but have about double the walk rate. That should help us get baserunners on and score some runs. I'd rather see Brian Flores because he gives up the long ball a bit, but he and Satow are good.

* The bullpen is a bit sketchy. ASU knows it and that could help us towards the end of the game. Even their closer has a .271 BAA.


Its time for Mike Stutes to get some redemption for our earlier losses in the Pac-10 season. Go Beavers!