This post is essentially a placeholder for comments on today's game with Creighton.
Game time is 6pm, and the Pitching match up:
Sam Gaviglio (11-1, 1.95) vs Ty Blach (10-2, 2.72).
Like yesterday, the game is streaming on ESPN3.
Creighton has a good club. They're fundamentally sound (.980 fielding %, which is 5th in the nation), have a legit Friday and Saturday starter, have a deep bullpen, and can execute small ball. In fact, they're much like the Beavers…probably a bit more fundamentally sound, but with slightly less raw talent. It's that match up of talent vs sound play, within the framework of a similar overall style, that makes this game intriguing.
My main concern as a Beaver fan: will the offense be able to hit Blach. I think Gaviglio throws a good game and will keep Creighton under 4 runs. Then it's on the bullpen to hold them there. If that happens, I think the Beavers eek out four runs and steal this one. Don't be surprised if the home crowd gets to see free baseball. Load up on the Inderal, boys.
Prediction: 4-3, Beavers.
No ESPN3 here in Bend–Parker is unlistenable these days…His call of the third run yesterday, “RIGHT FIELDER RUNS IN!, and it’s over his head to the wall…” I thought he was going to mainline morphine right then and there.
Go Beavs-Keep the faith!
I can imagine…I’ve sworn the guy off unless there’s no alternative. Thankfully, there usually is…
Because most posters on this site probably don’t know much about Creighton and the pitcher they are throwing today — Ty Blach — let me repost here the research I did yesterday on Blach. Hope it’s helpful to get everyone ready for today’s big game. After all, history teaches that the winner of today’s game is highly likely to be the winner of this regional….
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Creighton’s #2 is Ty Blach. Here’s an interview with him, where he discusses his attitude going into tomorrow’s game: http://www.omaha.com/article/20110603/BLUEJAYS/706039783
According to the interview article, Blach pitched as Creighton’s #1 for much of the season, and is considered a “co-ace”. But looking at Blach’s stats, he is not as dominant as Jonas Dufek, the guy who pitched today for Creighton. Blach’s ERA is higher (2.72 vs 2.08). He has significantly fewer strikeouts (92 vs 128). And, most importantly, opposing hitters get a lot more hits off him (avg against is .240 for Blach vs .198 for Dufek).
The stats strongly suggest that Blach is more hittable than Dufek, and that Blach’s stuff is not overpowering. Blach describes himself, in the interview, as the kind of pitcher who tries to throw the ball over the plate and then lets his defense make plays behind him. His stats confirm this.
First two games are must wins; far too difficult to come back from the losers bracket.
Exactly. Winning three out of four is doable, but winning four out of five is nigh impossible.
Beavers lead 1-0 in the first. Barnes scored on a passed ball.
Carter Bell did a great job to knock down a fast chopper up the third base line and get the batter out, too. The batter probably would have had it if he hadn’t tried to lunge for the base even so.
And then leading off the second, Bell works a nine-pitch AB for a base hit. Love that guy.
Great at-bat by Bell to lead off the inning, that’s the kind of battles the Beavs need to get this club going.
Not thrilled that Nash is in the lineup.
He comes through though with a single to right an the Beavers have runner son first and third. The Beavers as a team seem more focused.
runners on*
Beavs taking good swings…not sure if this pitcher isn’t on his A game or the Beavs are just more patient/focused…
Probably a little of both.
2-0 Beavers now.
I think it is a combo of focus and the pitcher isn’t real tough. The Beav’s are not swinging and missing.
Pac-10 having a good day so far. Arizona and Cal put up double digits in wins, UCLA won, the Beavers are leading.
I’m not sure where some of Sam’s pitches are missing.
Creighton’s pitcher isn’t getting much joy on the corners either. It’s consistent.
If Sam keeps this up the Beavers may just cruise tonight. The tight zone helps their batters since they take so many pitches.
Through fifty pitches, Gaviglio threw thirty-nine strikes. He’s dialed in.
I thought Jared Norris takes a lot of pitches, but Susac is always taking called third strikes. He needs to start being more aggressive.
Totally unrelated to the baseball game, but I saw this on the beavers official site today.
http://www.osubeavers.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/060111aaa.html
Beavers hired Ariko Iso to be the new head football trainer. Her name came to mind as soon as the Beavs “reassigned” the old guy, probably because she is the only athletic trainer I know by name. Nonetheless I like the hire, she seems to be highly respected within the NFL.
We discussed it briefly, and pretty much everyone liked the hire.
Two days in a row Keys and Susac have struggled to bring anyone in.
Beavers blow a chance to score and it’s still 2-0.
inning? I don’t have access to anything but this.
Bottom 5.
If you can stand Mike Parker (not bad especially with Jim Wilson alongside) you can listen at ////http://player.streamtheworld.com/liveplayer.php?CALLSIGN=KPAMAM
Can’t install adobe… : /
Home run Creighton. 2-1 now. The Beavers inability to drive in runners in scoring position could come back to bite them.
Parker Berberet hits a 1 out double. The Beavers need to get him in here. Need to give Sam some more breathing room.
imo, Parker Berberet hasn’t gotten the credit and appreciation he deserves. Great play at first a bit ago and all that time at catcher when Susek was out. And – I started typing this b4 he got the double. (really)
Yup, Parker is a real competitor. Susac having such problems getting his timing back, got to think Casey will have Parker catch soon and let Andrew be DH, Keyes might react well to a day off as DH, I can’t seem him at 2nd or SS he hasn’t been strong on defense.
SEE him
I think Keyes has been fine at 2B, which I believe is his best position. He hasn’t been great but he still plays okay defense. I think the lineup should be Susac-C-Berberet 1B-Keyes 2B- Bell 3B- Dunn SS- Barnes LF- Stamps CF- Norris RF and Hayes at DH.
So, you’re ready to sit Rodriguez? He has had some solid swings but not much luck yet.
I would sit him, tough choice though. For me the Beavers got to keep Kavin in the lineup and I think Parker should be in there so it comes down to Hayes and Rodriguez. Right now I like Danny a little bit more.
yeah, I remember you’ve always seen potential in Hays. I probably lean more toward Rodreguez, but agree its not an easy choice.
No question. And he’s got the mustache.
RBI single by Carter Bell. 3-1 Beavers. Clutch hit there that was much needed.
Thanks in large part to the aforementioned Parker Berberet.
I’ve been saying that he should be a full time starter. He’s a good hitter who struggled in Pac-10 play but he swung it well the last few weeks and looked like he was turning the corner. He’s an important piece. Hopefully he gets significant playing time the remainder of the postseason.
Jays bring in new pitcher, McGraw a submariner according to Mike Parker.
We’ve known Stamps was fast for a long time, but I was still gobsmacked on that infield single.
gobsmacked?
Utterly astonished, astounded.
Happens to me all the time. I’ll be able to use that word, thanks.
Stamps then would be caught stealing. Shame. Could have had runners on first and second with 1 out.
Sam looks like he may be in trouble here. First two runners reach base in the bottom of the 7th on singles.
Big strikeout by Gaviglio with runners on second and third and 1 out. Has a chance to get out of the inning and keep it 3-1 now.
Grounder toward first on a 1-2 count, Gaviglio covers and gets the out. Great pitch selection on that AB.
oldbeav, sign up for an account so you can edit your comments.
What does he need to edit?
Above he posted a correction…to keep the number of comments down people should sign up and edit. It makes navigating the comments easier for everyone else.
Didn’t like the intentional walk to Gerber but it worked out and the Beavers lead 3-1 after 7 innings.
I think that Pat Casey trusts the matchup too much. But Gaviglio wasn’t going to walk the next batter tonight, Gerber can hit for power, and the base was open so why not.
Puts a lot of pressure on the pitcher and a hit into the gap scores three instead of two.
Also, Gerber strikes out about 7 times for every HR. Casey had to be thinking he (Gerber) was gonna get hot tonight. I still think I’d have pitched him.
Sam learned well, covered 1st just like its taught, to get last out.
Like the decision to bring Norris up to pitch hit here.
Beavers blow another opportunity to score.
Surprised to see Gaviglio out again. He has to be on a short leash. He’s over 100 pitches.
Jays have seen a lot of Sam today, time for Schultz or one of the “B”s.
I can’t believe he’s going to pitch to Adams. They’ve got a Super Regional to play next weekend.
Is that wise? Anything I’ve read indicates it isn’t – especially for young pitchers.
Sam covers first again to end the inning.
Gaviglio gets through 8 innings an gives up just 1 run on 5 hits and has struck out 9. Bryant should be in for the ninth. Great performance by Sam. His best since April against Stanford.
Good, patient AB by Garret Nash for the solo shot.
Garrett Nash went deep. 4-1 Beavers. What’s with this power from him the last two nights?
NAAASH With a huge insurance run.
thanks for the radio idea earlier, figured a work around.
Jim Wilson votes for keeping Sam on the mound for the ninth.
Interesting. Did he give a reason?
Stay with the hot hand.
RBI double by Susac and it’s 5-1 Beavers.
Susac double to RC to score Keyes. Good for Andrew, its been awhile for an RBI.
Why did we draw the “away” team batting position?
NCAA rules. Host always has to be the away team in game two of the regionals and super regionals.
Why Pat Casey, why?
How many pitches is Sam up to? … don’t get why Casey is risking his arm like this, this late in the game with the lead.
About 128 now
He is around 126, I wonder about Casey keeping him in as well. However, Casey has said he often goes by what the pitcher says about how fatigued he might be.
Sam’s running on adrenaline now. Two strikeouts to start the inning, up around 175 pitches.
Ends the game on a 5-3 ground ball. Pat’s gamble paid off, but I hope Gaviglio can get enough rest for next week.
Two K’s for Sam. This has to be all about Casey letting Sam stay for his own confidence.
Sam Gaviglio finishing off the complete game. 9 IP, 5 hits, 1 run and 11 strikeouts and threw I believe 134 pitches.
I think Nolan Ryan is the guy out there saying that pitch counts aren’t that big of a deal, it matters more how the guy is feeling. Not that I necessary buy into that logic but just saying, look at Sam tonight. Even in the 120’s he threw K’s.
We were both close BB20, D1baseball.com shows Sam at 136 total pitches.
Note: both walks were intentional, quite a performance!
These announcers are a piece of work. Beavs just beat Clemson…. and Graham Nash hit the insurance home run in the 9th. LOL. Where’s Crosby & Stills???
LOL….Graham Nash is British, so that makes it even worse with the sport being baseball. If it was cricket, I guess I could cut the announcers a little slack.
Nice win BEAVERS! Keep it up and finish off the regional tomorrow!
That game was a bit easier than expected. Creighton had a couple nerve-wracking opportunities, but I never felt the outcome was in question since the offense was hitting the ball hard and grinding out at bats.
One of my best friends went to Georgia, so we’re currently talking smack on Facebook–should be a fun day tomorrow. Another great pal went to GaTech…we’re hoping to meet down the line.
Took care of the sign up business Angry. I had tried unsuccessfully before.
Now my icon is babyshit yellow instead of the more manly black and white! I’ll survive.
Thanks again for all you do to keep this thing going.
Lol. Luck of the draw, old beav.
Thanks for signing up. Editing posts makes life better for all.
Good day for the Pac-10. Stanford, if they get the final three outs in Fullerton, will make the Pac-10 6-0 for the day. That would make three teams in the conference 1 win away from super regionals. Pac-10 teams have outscored their opponents by a combined 39 runs today.
Do we want to play Georgia, Creighton, or does it not matter?