Game time is tomorrow at 5pm Pacific and will be televised on ESPN and/or ESPN3.
Some key Indiana stats:
- Batting Average: Indiana 23rd
- OBP: Indiana 29th
- Slugging %: 17th
- Runs per game: 14th
- 9th in ERA at 2.66.
Beavs usually have a significant pitching advantage but batting disadvantage. This game, the pitching is neutralized, and Indiana has the better offense. Should be interesting.
Indiana is throwing Aaron Slegers (9-1, 2.13 earned run average), who stands 6″10. The pitchers seem to keep getting larger as the games do, too. The Beavs looked so tiny versus Texas A&M (didn’t see Louisville, unfortunately). Gotta say, I look forward to seeing Max Gordon vs Slegers. We know what the Beavs need to win…same as always: a good start from Boyd, executing small ball, fielding, yada yada. I think this game could come down to executing a squeeze or hit and run. I’m not counting on 11 runs again. I’m thinking something like 5-4 or 4-3 final for whomever executes best.
I don’t see how the Beavs can survive this round (3 straight wins). The deck is stacked against them for sure, but I’ve doubted them incorrectly before. Go Beavs!
Go Beavs!
From a few minutes of searching via Google, here is a scouting report on the pitcher most likely to start the game tomorrow for Indiana — Aaron Slegers.
First, a baseball scouting blog post that analyzes Slegers as the #140 overall MLB draft pick (Twins):
“Standing at an insane 6-10, Slegers is about as tall of a prospect that there is.
Not a hard thrower, he was sitting mainly 89-92 MPH, sometimes getting down to 87-88 MPH. So he has about average velocity now with maybe the potential to add more. The size obviously provides quite the downward plane along with extension. He seemed to keep the fastball low even though it didn’t seem to be a sinker, and it can get some arm side run on it occasionally.
His main breaking pitch is a 80-81 MPH baby slider that sometimes breaks down, could be called a slurve. He seems to be able to throw it for strikes, but it isn’t a plus pitch.
His change at 84 MPH also isn’t plus. It has a little arm side run, but not much overall movement. He wasn’t really missing bats and I think that has something to do with his lack of quality breaking pitches.”
http://irfast.blogspot.com/2013/06/indiana-and-florida-state-mlb-draft.html
Second, a comment in an article in the Indiana student paper, noting reasons why Indiana has not yet used Aaron Slegers in the CWS: “Slegers has made it through 8.1 innings total in his last two starts, allowing four earned runs on 15 hits in that span. He had been the No. 1 starter for the Big Ten Tournament and No. 2 for the super regional.”
http://www.idsnews.com/news/story.aspx?id=93168
Sounds like Slegers is a wild-card. On the one hand, he was Big 10 Pitcher of the Year, and his season stats are certainly good (9-1, 2.13 earned run average). On the other hand, those stats were mostly amassed against lesser competition. In the postseason, against good teams from outside the Big 10, Slegers hasn’t been so effective. He also hasn’t pitched in a while. And even at his best, Slegers is not going to blow anyone away — he’s a finesse pitcher, not a power pitcher.
Moreover, if OSU can get to Slegers early, Indiana may have some problems in the bullpen, since their best reliever and stopper, Ryan Halstead, threw 45 pitches yesterday (many of them in stressful situations) and may not be available for much if any work on Wednesday.
Given all this, I think the Beavs — with Matt Boyd starting and the OSU bullpen relatively well-rested — should have the pitching edge over Indiana tomorrow.
Looks like another setup for the sixth inning — Beavs have capitalized all year when the starter gets tired….hopefully we can keep it close through five innings, say tied-up or one run lead, and then pull away in the later innings — would need to match runs ’til the end of the game.
Beavs 7 – Indiana 4 (Beavs score 3 in the 6th).
Oh great Beaver in the sky….
Here’s more on Aaron Slegers, from an article written after Indiana’s practice session today: http://www.wdrb.com/story/22625216/bozich-indiana-needs-slegers-not-zeller-to-survive-in-omaha
Even his own coach seems to be treating Slegers as a bit of a wild card, wondering which pitcher will show up tomorrow — the Big 10 Pitcher of the Year or the guy who allowed nine hits and two walks in 4 1/3 innings against Florida State in the Super Regional.
If we get to Slegers early in tomorrow’s game, there is a good chance that Indiana gives up on Slegers and pulls him. On the other hand, if Slegers gets through the first few innings and builds up some rhythm and confidence, that could mean trouble for OSU.
One other thought — Dylan Davis has the potential for a (long-overdue) breakout performance at the plate against Slegers, who doesn’t have the sharp-breaking curveball or slider that seems to be so challenging for DD. Get a good night’s sleep, Dylan — the Beavs really need you to play well tomorrow.
This Boiler Beaver wants a beat down of my most hated rival.
Pac>B1G baseball. Beavs win.
i got to see IU play several times this season prior to NCAA’s. They are a legit team. Dangerous hitters up and down the order. The big kid they will send out to pitch is as tall as Randy Johnson, but is a more finesse guy. Does not have the mullet either. They have had a history of some defensive meltdowns, like we saw last night from L’ville. If they play a clean game, they will be a tough out.
If their starter has a rough night we have a big advantage if they have to dig deep in the pen.
B1G baseball is not as bad as the current rep. Hard to get things cranking when you are forced to play away for the first 6 -8 weeks of the season.
Go Beavs!
BTW, definitely a strange year when all of the top seeds are fighting through the losers bracket….
….didn’t see LSU losing 2 straight!! WOW!
This is the first time since the national seed system and the expansion to 64 teams (1999) that no national seeds have advanced through the winner’s bracket to at least play to make the final. Only twice since then have no national seeds played all the way through the winner’s bracket to the final–2006 and 2007.
National seeds who have made the final through the loser’s side since 1999:
FlaSt in 1999 (lost); SoCar in 2002 (lost); Stanford in 2003 (lost in first best-of-three final series); UNC in 2007 (lost); SoCar in 2012 (lost)
Unseeded who have made the final through the loser’s side since 1999:
OSU in 2006 (won); SoCar in 2010 (won)
1988 was the first year the two four-sided brackets started in the CWS. That year both Stanford and ASU played through the loser’s bracket to make the final, and Stanford won it. Wichita St played through the loser’s bracket the next year and also won it all. And USC did the same in 1998.
Also… 2007 and 2012 were the only times a national seed played through the loser’s bracket only to lose the final to an unseeded team. Those unseeded champs were both Pac 10/12.
Therefore, we don’t want to fight our way back into the final only to face UCLA.
Right?
Despite the Pac-12 connection, we don’t need UCLA to win it all at all.
Go Beavs!
Osu -165….over/under 8.5
Means we are still considered strong favorites to win, and expecting more runs than I thought.
Are we visitors?
Yes, Beavs are visitors on Wednesday.
Richie Harrington is transferring to Southern Utah.
Angry changing the website to angrythunderbirds.com?
http://m.gazettetimes.com/sports/beavers-sports/football/osu-football-harrington-plans-to-transfer-to-southern-utah/article_f50da0cc-d7d8-11e2-803a-001a4bcf887a.html?mobile_touch=true
Watch him win the Heisman or something, like the punter that went to La Tech LOL. Angry needs a new man crush on the Beavs roster. Any nominations?
I thought Anderson was next in line.
Did this have anything to do w/ the transfer?
http://goo.gl/V3kBW
SUNDAY, MAY 5
DUII: 2:32 a.m., Northwest 31st Street and Harrison Boulevard. An officer initially pulled over 19-year-old Richard J. Harrington of Corvallis for failing to maintain a safe distance from an emergency vehicle. Harrington failed field-sobriety tests and was arrested on a DUII charge. His blood alcohol content was reported as 0.10 percent.
Nice find, and you’re probably right. State of Utah’s legal limit is 0.11 (i think)
0.00 for caffeine.
hilarious BG!
5.0 limit for wives.
Now that’s really, truly hilarious.
In my experience, this 0.0 rule applies only to caffeine found in hot drinks, but if it’s Coke, Pepsi, or better yet, Mountain Dew you want, feel free to drink up!
Ha, you’re right. Had to look it up. “Hot drinks” means specifically tea or coffee. I wonder if a hot Pepsi is a popular morning beverage for the LDS community?
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/01/mormon-caffeine-policy-cl_n_1848098.html
Is there a limit on “hot” wives?
only an age limit, BG.
Indiana grad/fan here….should be interesting tonight. Are you guys throwing the kid w/acne again? IU hits righties hard but a decent lefty seems to shut them down since most of their big lumber hits lefty. Our 6’10” kid throws strikes but nothing special arm wise. I guess his height could intimidate but he doesn’t throw that hard. Miss State is beatable so we’ll see what happens.
Glad to learn that you see MSU as beatable, hope the Beavs get the chance to prove you right (twice)!
No, the “kid w/acne” won’t be throwing today, it will most likely be Matt Boyd, a senior LHP who has done quite well this season. There was a mention of Dan Child (RHP) but that seems unlikely if Casey agrees with your assessment of your big lumber. Other LHP’s you may see are Jace Fry and Max Engelbrekt, both are good but haven’t seen much work lately.
Yikes – I wish you had just inserted Andrew Moore’s name – As a previous poster mentioned – interesting to see Max Gordon against the “big lumber.”
This game will come down to the middles innings….somewhere in the 6th and 7th will be the difference.
Question for BrianShotts: How well does your 6’10” pitcher (Aaron Slegers) field his position? In particular, how well does he get off the mound to field bunts? I am guessing that OSU will test him tonight (since some big guys are weak in this area). Also, how is his move to first base, and how quickly does he deliver to the plate from a stretch? Again, I’m guessing that OSU may test his ability to hold baserunners close.
To be honest…didn’t know we had a baseball team til about 3 weeks ago. They should have our games on the B10 network but don’t….what a waste of money that channel is.
As for Stretch….don’t know….I think the announcers in our Super regional w/Florida St. said he is pretty athletic but they didn’t test him. Our catcher hits a TON but throws are weak so we’ll see.
Our bats are due to bust out…even in that park. FSU had 2 kids under 2 era that we crushed so we’ll see. Could be 9-11 runs or so in this one…a complete shootout for that park. Supposedly Indianas D is weak but I’ve seen a bunch of nice plays in the 4-5 games I’ve seen and no glaring problems
A better way to phrase that question would be: “Are you guys throwing the Pac12 freshman of the year again?”
Good answer.
He’s alright…nothing special imo. Our kid going tonite was the B10 pitcher of the year….5th round draftee but won’t smell the bigs either imo. Your kid is a fresh though so prob better potential
“Are you guys throwing the Pac12 freshman of the year again?”
You forgot All-Pac 12, All-American and runner-up to Berg (and ahead of some dude named Appel) as Pac 12 pitcher of the year.
Where would Appel have gone in the MLB draft if Berg and Moore were eligible?
I thought listing all the accolades was overkill, but clearly I was wrong…he’s nothing special.
OT – Victor Butler tears ACL:
http://nfl.si.com/2013/06/12/victor-butlers-torn-acl-a-major-blow-to-rebuilt-saints-defense/
Too bad, I liked this kid. He seems like a fringe player with potential who, if he doesn’t get the right breaks, could have a short NFL career. Saints only gave him a 2-year contract….
Damn, that sucks.
Feel creepy posting this, but whatever, Lawrence Mattison is huge: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BMvqLeVCcAAxNn_.jpg:large
The crazy thing about that is the white kid is 5’10” and 175lbs. Mattison is a giant!
Can you remind me of his status? Is he going to show up this fall, or are academics a problem?
Hope to see him breaking into the second level ASAP….
Yeah he qualified a long time ago, should be here in the fall. https://twitter.com/LawrenceMattiso/status/329298118883569664/photo/1
He’s been tweeting that he made it and will be in Corvallis in July:
https://twitter.com/LawrenceMattiso/status/342116557238980609
Build reminiscent of Steven Jackson. Maybe this kid gets some carries this fall if he can learn the playbook and meet classroom responsibilities.
I would think the priority for both the program and Mattison though would be to get grounded and invest in productive study habits and worry about playing time later; long-term benefits to both parties that way.
I got the impression from the O-live February article that Brasfield will be hovering, so I’m not especially worried – we can only wait and see.
Recent quote from Mitch Canham in O-live sums up the reason why I think the Beavs will win tonight, and gets to the essence of differences between Pat Casey teams and Mike Riley teams:
re: staying cool under pressure–“It stems from the coaching staff. Those are the guys who start the character of the team. Really, it comes down to not being scared of any obstacles that get in front of you.”
Keys to the game tonight –
Going to need to have the top of the order produce again.
Boyd will have to go deep to keep the bullpen from having to pitch more than a couple innings.
Siegers doesn’t strike out or walk many so Beav’s will need to make great contact.
I think the Beavs will scratch one out and live to play another day. 6-3. The pressure will be too much for the upstart Hoosiers. Davis finally comes through with a big game.
I’m going to say Hoosiers with a walkoff in the 9th but I’m a homer too. Either way…hope the winner sweeps Miss St. The SEC hogs the football and baseball titles every year…enough is enough
That’s fair enough.
Interesting “stats” thus far in this CWS:
1. Only one “home” team has won a game so far. Home teams were 8-10 in the Supers.
2. Nike schools are 1-3 against Adidas schools at the CWS… 0-10 in the Supers.
3. ACC is 2-2 (0-1 v. Pac, 1-0 v. SEC, 1-1 v. ACC); Big East is 0-2 (B1G and Pac); B1G is 1-1 (1-0 v. BE, 0-1 v. SEC); Pac is 3-1 (1-1 v. SEC, 1-0 v. BE, 1-0 v. ACC); SEC is 2-2 (1-1 v. Pac, 1-0 v. B1G, 0-1 v. ACC).
4. Neutral site records of teams remaining: UCLA 2-0; UNC 8-1; MSU 7-1; OSU 6-1; IU 13-3; NCSt 5-2. Obviously that’s 33-4 before the CWS and 8-4 within it.
Check that on #1. While the host teams were 8-10 in the Supers, the “home” teams were 9-9. The Corvallis regional was the only Super where no “home” team won. All the others were 1-1 except a 3-0 at UNC.
Dear Hoosier,
As you can see by my handle, I’m an alum of both a PAC and BIG school. Saw your team play several times. Congrats on a great season and for representing the B1G well. From an educated
observer of both conferences, the B1G is better than it is given credit for, but the PAC is undervalued. As good or better than the SEC or ACC. Stanford should have been in the tourney.
If both teams play to their to their potential, Beavers win. However baseball is a fickle game.
Never saw LSU getting swept. They were my favorite to win it all. Go Beavs!
BTW, now that the Gophers have a home stadium again, they will resume their normal place atop the B1G.
Arizona should have made it before SU. That doesn’t mean I don’t think SU shouldn’t have been in, but UA was better… and their field is above grade.
Sorry guys….I don’t know who to believe….Is Boyd starting tonight or is Moore? NCAA site says Moore. I believe Oregon Live says Boyd (probably true). But I can’t tell from the conversations on this site actually who it is…..Sounded like Boyd is the better matchup against Indiana (Lefty vs. Lefties).
Only the great Beaver in the sky knows for sure
I saw her at a drive in movie back in the day.
What was she driving?
Now we know the replacement for Randy the Logger: a giant helium filled beaver balloon over Reser on game day. Excellent. Than after a score, the players gesture skyward…thanking the great beaver in the sky….
hopefully one more tumescent than the high-school-class inflatable helmet from which the players emerge….
I believe Boyd is starting. Indiana’s best hitters are lefties, so Boyd provides the better matchup. Also, Moore threw 7.1 innings and 105 pitches on Saturday, so Moore has only had 3 days rest. In contrast, Boyd threw only 8 pitches on Saturday (all strikes, by the way). and is well-rested.
Come on, Oh great Beaver…..see us thru another win. Give us strength and will….!
It’s always a great day to be a Beaver. I have a good feeling about tonight, Beavs need to put a solid game together tonight and make this a no doubter.
It will be interesting to see how well Boyd does with all the work he has been getting lately. I think he and the rest of the team needs to pitch to contact, he does not have the “blow you away” stuff, but if he and rest of the beavers can pitch to the park I think they can be successful. That ballpark is huge and Homers are hard to come by (only 1 so far by my count), so pitch to fly balls and let the defense do their thing. Got to stay away from the walks, often times are pitchers are nipping the corners and sometimes they are too far in or outside and lose the batter to BB. If the correction during BP that Dylan Davis got helps his swing then we should be able to produce some runs.
The magic number is 6. Be at 6+ runs by the sixth inning!
Her’s a fun one to watch tonight (or wager)…total hits, runs and errors for the game (both teams) is 24.5. I’d say under with this linescore:
5 8 0
2 7 1
Magic number is +1 of their score by the bottom of the 9th.
Little miss GWH jr. Is in Hunters Ed class tonight so I’ll be missing the game…lots of updated please! Even if I’m not responding I’m reading!
Tyler Smith leadoff single.
This pitcher doesn’t look 6″10
I thought the same thing
Why is Hendrix in for Gordon today?
Wow, they’re intentionally walking Davis with 2 out and a runner on 3rd. It’s actually a decent move (davis >> hayes), but a strange one.
Smith leads off with a single, Peterson SAC, Conforto GO. Smith on third with two outs and IU decided to give Davis an intentional walk.
Also, Jeff Hendrix announced as playing for Gordon.
Hayes FO and the 1/2 inning is over.
Hayes pops out. Beavs leave 2.
0-0.
Seriously Hayes. Get pissed off and do something!
Pitcher looking plenty hitable then?
A. Fitt tweets that Max Gordon had one eye dilated and coaches are holding him out as a precaution.
A walk negated by pickoff gets Boyd out of the first facing only 3 batters.
Keyes leads off 2nd with a single.
Keyes is swinging a hotter bat than Hayes. He probably should be the 5 hitter and Hayes 6th.
You should take over for pat casey
Hendrix to the plate with two out, Keyes at second.
Is Joey Matthews still on the team? Hendrix is horrible. There has to be a better option.
I think Casey is sold on Hendrix because of his D…….and speed on basepath. Yeah, Joey has more experience but it is Omaha and the pressure on those who seldom play is gonna be there.
Hendrix is better than Joey Mathews. Matthews is really bad. Hendrix has potential to be very solid, but hasn’t gotten consistent at-bats which have hurt him.
Still on the roster at least.
Bloop fly to right and another RISP dies. On to the b2
Beavs 6 for 35 with RISP in CWS
Jake Rodriguez is a mess at the plate. He’s late on every single fastball and has put together very few decent at-bats over the last month.
Proving true again tonight.
Boyd K’s the side, on to the third.
Boyd doing his job, so far -c’mon bats, help him out.
Nice!
Wow, a two out double for Conforto and now another intentional walk to Davis!
Indiana is getting lucky, one of these times that’s going to backfire on them and probably cost hem the game.
It’s smart.
I just wish Casey batted Keyes 5th…he’s been hot.
Hayes is a weird hitter and not a guy I’d want 5th vs elite competition.
Fly out to left and two more runners stranded. Not forcing the IU pitcher to throw deep into counts.
Boyd is dealing right now.
He is at 50 pitches and not out of the third. Casey likely will ride him to over 120 and I don’t like it. Another runner picked off to erase a BB, now on to the 4th
Matt’s pitch count is going up fast. Need a nice grounder.
Crap
Things falling apart?
1-0 Beavs
My god Hendrix is awful.
Keyes hot…if Beavs advance he better be higher up in the lineup.
Hendrix hit that ball hard just on the ground. He’s not awful. Just hit in a bad spot.
Hendrix is in a tough spot. True freshman thrown into the fire. Can’t expect much but hopefully he’ll surprise us.
Sac Fly by JRod makes it 1-0 Beavs. First ball swinging by Beavs has the IU pitcher at 50 pitches in 4 innings, same as Boyd in 3.
To the b4, 1-0 Beavs.
Perhaps Casey read AB angst about giving up an out to advance the runner.
Casey has done that the whole year. He only bunts Peterson and Gordon. I would have liked to see them put the squeeze play on with Hendrix.
Boyd is on fire today!
A nice nine pitch inning for Boyd to stand at 59 pitches after 4 innings. On to the 5th.
Update?
1-0 Beavers in the bottom of the 5th
To b5, Beavs up 1-0.
Conforto was robbed of a hit by nice play by IU 1B, then Davis hit one to warning track, caught while falling down.
Matter if time! Need a big inning!
1-0 bottom of 5. Boyd is dealing, starting to get good contact on offense, just hitting right at people/Indiana is making good plays.
1-0 Beavers going into bottom of 5. Boyd has been unreal with 7 k’s and 2 pick offs. Beavers hitting the ball hard but still leaving a lot of runners on base.
Slegers is done. If Peterson can hit a rope to the CF and Davis can hit the RF power alley, it’s only a matter of time.
I should know better than to jinx my own team. Jinx pwns me.
1 out single for the 5 hole hitter for IU, first hit of the day for IU.
There goes the no-hitter. Darn.
I’ll take a one hit shutout…
I guess I’ll take it also. Can’t be too greedy.
2 hits now.
To t6, still 1-0 Beavs. Hayes to leadoff.
Boyd walks nine hole hitter (.217) to start the b6
DP gets Boyd out of the 6th. Still 1-0
Hendrix beats out an infield single with one out to start t7.
That guy is money…
Amazing! Smith into a 6-4-3 DP to end the t7. Beavs just can’t make it easy.
89th pitch gets Boyd a K for the first out in the b7. IU then PH for their leading RBI hitter.
PH Ramos not ready to run, gets thrown out by Boyd, Hendrix then makes the catch in CF to end the inning. Boyd at 92 pitches.
Thanks OOBeav.
Fry, Bryant, and Max E. in the BP for Beavs. None of ’em really seriously heating up.
Damn I sure wish they’d had more game experience lately.
Slegers strikes out both Conforto and Davis, on to the b8, still 1-0.
Slegers has faced the minimum since the 4th.
Intense.
Boyd is the man.
Boyd gets a K to end the b8, at 108 pitches now. No one working in the BP, Casey seems sure to leave it in Boyd’s hands even with the heat and stress. Gotta believe that is the way Boyd wants it.
So nervous for the 9th. No way they can go with Boyd again. He’s well over 100 pitches and they’re going to need him again if they pull off this game. Not sure which bullpen pitcher I want to see though. Fry or Schultz?
Danny Hayes is useless vs good pitching.
I’d let Boyd start the 9th…if anyone gets on go to the pen. He’s feeling it and running on adrenaline–let him do this thing.
Great bunt by Barnes
Wow looked outside to Rodriguez.
On to the b9, still 1-0. Top of the order due up for IU.
Wonderful – top of their order
So far they’ve netted only a single BB tonight, against a fresher Boyd.
LETS GO!
Leadoff batter goes to 3-2 before STRIKING OUT !! One down.
Fly out to Davis, two down.
Come on boys.
Do announcers ever root for the Beavs?
Common Boyd! One more!
.231 hitter up with runner on first, two down.
I’d go to Max E. here.
Good call…………..NOT
Or not, Beavs advance!
Game!!! Boyd is the man!
Keyes cuts him down, Beavs win! Boyd 120 pitches!
Yeah baby!
Remember, “a safety is a mechanical device which CAN fail!” Hunter Ed. 101.
So, now it’s Moore’s turn in the rotation, but he just threw vs Miss St. Do we throw him again?
Little doubt Casey will go with Moore on 5 days rest. If Casey doesn’t do something different and the Beavs beat MSU, then the regular starters will have to go with 4 or less days rest from here on out. Something has got to give, especially with the daytime heat to come.
Could go to Dan Child. It’s been mentioned he was a possible starter for tonight.
It could be a good strategy since MSU has seen Moore.
Only if you want to lose.
Moore was shaky for the first few innings against MSU last Saturday, but once Moore got command of his off-speed pitches MSU didn’t do much against him. In any event, Casey seems to go with the guys he trusts the most, and I’m guessing Casey trusts Andrew Moore more than Dan Child. (Honestly, don’t you think starting Dan Child in a “must win” CWS game would be more than a little scary?)
What a Gem by Boyd.
Great job by Matt. Credit to IU, played a good game. Go Beavs!
Nice goin’, team!! …showin you deserve to be there!
Boyd….damn….you da MAN!
Congrats Beavs. Way to rep!
Go home.
Miss me?
You have no idea….
Beavs will be visitors again on Friday.
Boyd was the man tonight. Moore has had enough rest and will be ready against MSU. I like our chances on Friday.