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Match ups and game times:
Go Beavs.
GoBeavs90 says: A truly huge series. Beavers have a very, very slim chance at a conference title, in order to have a chance against Oregon they have to sweep the Cougars and then must sweep Oregon. It can be done but not likely because of how inconsistent this group has been and it is a tall order. Hopefully we see this group begin to put it all together this weekend. Starting pitching is definitely in the Beavers’ favor. Overall the Beavers’ offense is better as far as producing runs. They’re third in the conference runs scored, Cougars are 6th. Cougars have the edge in batting average but Beavers have the better on base %. So, the Beavers have the edge in starting pitching and the slightest of edges offensively, but have a feeling the bullpen will play a big role.
Cougars’ bullpen may actually be worse than the Beavers’ bullpen. Only 3 guys who come out of the bullpen have an ERA below 5. Beavers can do some damage against that ‘Pen.
With Keyes and Hayes starting to heat up, the offense should be productive this weekend, hopefully they finally start hitting with RISP like they did on Tuesday. If they do that I like their chances at a sweep. They’re better than WSU in all the major areas, if they’re focused they should do well. I’d hope they would be focused considering how critical the series is.
Go Beavs, get it done this weekend.
GoBeavs90 says: Video feed for the game http://apps.ohlulz.com/ncaa/?lulz=rtmp://cp98724.live.edgefcs.net:1935/live&id=wast_m-basebl@31498
GoBeavs90 says: Michael Conforto with a three run bomb to left. 3-0 Beavers. Conforto now tied for first again in home runs with 12 and now has 66 RBI’s. He’s so good.
NCAA_viOlation says: Wetzler looking pretty shaky, but somehow manages to give up only 1 run after walking 4 and nearly walking the final batter with bases loaded.
KBeav says: All we needed was one or two of these guys that have been in season-long slumps (i.e. Hayes, Keyes, etc) to get hot. Keyes has been better as of late, and obviously Hayes is crushing tonight. It makes the offense more balanced by adding two solid Left handed bats.
GoBeavs90 says: Unacceptable. Beavers get runners on second and third and no outs and don’t score. That simply can’t happen. Keyes was jumping at the ball and struck out, Dylan Davis had a similar approach. Some of the guys get far too anxious with runners in scoring position. They would be fine if they just relax.
GoBeavs90 says: Gordon singles, then Ryan Gorton singles with 1 out. Runners on first and second and 1 out for Ryan Barnes
GoBeavs90 says: Smith drives one to deep right with Barnes on at first and it was called a catch but the right fielder dropped it. Bad break for the Beavers. Two down for Conforto
GoBeavs90 says: Cougars have been far more fortunate today. They’ve just found more holes and caught more breaks on hits. Beavers smoke a pitch and it’s caught, Cougars hit a grounder back to Fry and it goes off his glove. May just be one of those games. If the umps make the correct call in the third and the Beavers may have scored 2-3 runs in the inning, instead they only got one. Really unfortunate for the Beavers.
GoBeavs90 says: And the Beavers blow a golden opportunity to tie the game. Again, the decision to bunt Dunn was questionable at best. He had just crushed a ball the previous at-bat and provides the Beavers a power threat and is a good hitter. Keyes has struggled so far this series, would think the coaching staff would be more comfortable with Ryan Dunn hitting there. But I guess not.
GoBeavs90 says: Really was surprised the Beavers didn’t pinch run for Hayes. It cost them a run and could be a big run. 7-4 Beavers in the bottom of the 9th. Lead-off batter singles. Child done for the day
oneoldbeav says: Absolutely unbelievable that there was not a pinch runner in there! It certainly did cost a run.
NCAA_viOlation says: So next week OSU plays UO. UO also plays University of Portland on Tuesday and Wednesday next week. How will those 2 extra games affect them coming into our series? As far as conference record goes, OSU is 15-12 and UO is 19-8, so even if we sweep, Oregon will own a better conference record than us.
GoBeavs90 says: That’s OSU’s fault, they would have as good of a conference mark if not better if not for some bad breaks and the bullpen blowing some games. Losses to Utah, Washington, game 2 against Arizona, game 1 against Stanford, yesterday against Wazzu are all games the Beavers probably should have won. Yesterday they just couldn’t get a break to save their life. Umps blew numerous calls. The worst obviously was the right fielder dropping the ball and the ump blowing the call. Could have meant 2-3 runs or more that inning and completely changes the game. Then the “HBP” in the 9th changed it as well. So, it really is the Beavers’ fault they aren’t getting a regional but there have been good signs as of late.
Hayes, Barnes, Keyes have been picking it up lately, they’re giving Conforto some much needed protection. Tyler Smith is starting to get back on track and Gordon has been really solid. The offense getting hot and hitting to their capabilities couldn’t come at a better time. Heading into the postseason with these guys swinging so well is great.
Beavers are most likely heading to Gary, Indiana for the Purdue Regional. This would be ideal for the Beavers. I think they would win that regional.
I hope the Beavers give Dylan Davis as the closer over the weekend against Oregon. Not really any better options and give him some experience as a closer before the postseason. Then it can get him ready for the playoffs where you’ll need a closer and you can better assign roles to other members of the bullpen.
A series win over UO would be a nice way to head into the postseason. Hopefully they get it done.
GoBeavs90 says: Dan Spencer has been fired at Texas Tech. I wonder if Pat Casey would consider bringing him back as pitching coach next season. I’d be okay with letting Yeskie go. Hasn’t exactly impressed me as a pitching coach.
oneoldbeav says: About the only positive for Yeskie this season is the (apparent) fact that he has stayed sober.
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