Home Baseball Baseball: WSU @ OSU (Game 2)

Baseball: WSU @ OSU (Game 2)

By
angry
-
97

With 90+ comments in the Game 1 posting, a new writeup beckoned. 

It was great to see some new commenters in yesterday's post. It shows the baseball team is finally garnering interest. From what I hear they're the talk of Corvallis right now, even more so than football. I don't doubt that. For spring football to be interesting there would need to be legit position battles or a young, dynamic player in the mix. The Beavs have neither.

On paper today's matchup, Sam Gaviglio (6-1, 1.34) vs Chad Arnold (0-3, 7.65), clearly favors Oregon State.

Keep an eye on Sam's battery mate, Parker Berberet, who suffered a hamstring cramp in yesterday's game. He's the one player they can't lose.

What else…Oh…Cliff Kirkpatrick described Nygren's outing as "lights out"

RHP James Nygren (6-1) was lights out in his start. He defeated WSU ace Adam Conley. Nygren struck out eight in eight innings.

I felt obligated to quibble with his accolades.

Cliff, come on…Nygren was “lights out”?

WSU hit at least a dozen missiles right at Beavers. Nygren was serviceable and got very lucky. Stamps saved him in the first with the rare 8-5 double play as well.

Agree or disagree?

Nygren is now 6-1, but I do not feel he's a dominant pitcher or a legit #2. What I do like is that he goes after guys and pitches to contact. Unfortunately that contact is usually solid. Conversely, it's also usually hit right at a Beaver. If I were Nygren, I'd be playing the lottery or looking for a stone quarry in my backyard.

97 COMMENTS

  1. 1

    As a current osu student, I can for sure say that baseball is “the talk” on campus. The school paper is doing a pretty good job selling the team as #3 in the nation and having a legit shot at another trip to Omaha. I could see the stadium filling up with students if the team can keep this up and/or if the weather is nice.

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  2. 1

    The student section was packed which was good to see at a baseball game. I thought Nygren pitched very well but I wouldn’t label it lights outs. Our timely hitting and defense won this game. The turning point was Pat Casey arguing the terrible call at first. It was 1-1 and after that happened the crowd and the team was more energized. For tonights game I hope we hit the ball a little better and I am excited to see Sam pitch.

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    • 1

      I agree, the turning point was the umps bad call AND Casey’s response. Lit a fire under the hitters and Nygren began to strike out guys too. Some may say coincidence but I don’t think so.

      A reminder of the part emotion can play in team sports…..hope Coach Riley takes it to heart.

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  3. 1

    Does anyone here know how changing to the Pac-12 will affect the baseball schedule? Are we still gonna be playing every team? Will there be a North/South division like football?

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  4. 1

    Nygren has been a servicable #3 and while he doesn’t have overpowering stuff he goes out and gives it everything he has when he’s called upon. We’d love to have Duke pitching in this spot but he’s hurt and Nygren has done an admirable job to this point. If the Beavs make the CWS, Nygren is going to be called upon to pitch at some point. I’d be more comfortable with Nygren in that pressure position than I was with Turpen in the last CWS run.

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  5. 1

    Just because I’m feeling particularly spirited this afternoon:
    OOOOOOOOOOOOOO SSSSSSSSSSSSS UUUUUUUUUUU!!!!!
    Oregon State, FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT!!!!

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  7. 1

    I read (present tense) angrybeavs because I’m always leery of comments such as CK’s “lights out”. I then go to angrybeavs and get a true appraisal which is “servicable” and “lucky.”

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  10. 1

    Not a number 2? I guess in comparison to Gaviglio it might LOOK that way, but how much do you want from a #2 starter?

    Look at Dallas Buck’s numbers from the 2006 season when he was our #2 starter:

    13-3, 3.44 ERA, 1.25 WHIP

    Or how about all three starters in 2007.

    Stutes:12-4, 4.07 ERA, 1.29 WHIP
    Paterson:10-6, 3.61 ERA, 1.20 WHIP
    Turpen10-1, 3.45 ERA, 1.23 WHIP

    To me, Nygren and Osich’s numbers compare favorably.

    Nygren: 6-1, 3.22 ERA, 1.16 WHIP
    Osich: 5-0, 3.38 ERA, 1.27 WHIP

    By the way, all of those guys got drafted. Buck went 86th I believe, so it’s not a foregone conclusion that Nygren needs to start rock-hounding.

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    • 1

      Dallas Buck was #1 in 2006, Nickerson was #2. Let’s throw out the numbers on Osich and Nygren right now. Osich is clearly better than Nygren, if you watch the games. Nygren has been extremly fortunate. Last night guys were making diving catches and snagging line drives right at them. Osich generally doesn’t get hit too hard, guys just get on base because he’s a power pitcher and walks guys. Nygren at times can look good and at others look horrible.

      I would say the ASU game is more of what he is. He went four innings and gave up 4 runs. He struck out 6 but balls were crushed all over the yard on him.

      When Nygren’s luck runs out, he will be torched in a game.

      Right now I would go with Gavilio, Osich and Schultz as my weekend starters. James Nygren would be the midweek starter. Come postseason I believe if the Beavers need to have a fourth starter throw, I would have Nygren pitch for 3 or 4 innings and then bring in Wetzler to take it to the 7th or 8th. I don’t trust either of them to start a game and go deep in the postseason. Nygren will get through the first time through the lineup but after that he will be shaky at best.

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      • 1

        Dallas Buck was clearly the 2nd best pitcher on that team.

        Nickerson was 13-4 with a 2.24 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP. It doesn’t matter who pitched in game one, Nickerson was better that season.

        As for whether or not Nygren has been lucky to have the numbers he has…at some point you have to admit that the results are what they are. He’s been successful. It’s relatively unimportant HOW he gets the numbers. He’s had success. In essence: scoreboard.

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    • 1

      You left Reyes off your 2007 list. The lottery/stone quarry “jab” was more to point out his luck than say he can’t pitch at all.

      BB20, your observation regarding Nygren is spot on.

      I’d prefer a rotation of Gaviglio, Boyd, Osich…in that order. Schultz would be next in line. I see Nygren as an emergency starter/long relief pitcher.

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      • 1

        Yeah, Gaviglio, Boyd and Osich would be a great rotation, but Schultz as the #3 would be pretty good too. Can’t go wrong with either. Wetzler and Nygren should be strictly long relievers. Only starts for Nygren should be midweek games. Hopefully Pat Casey doesn’t run Nygren out there next week against UCLA

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  11. 1

    Hayes and Miller are both back in the starting lineup. Dylan Jones is starting at 1B. No Carter Bell again. Wonder how long he will be out. Hopefully it is just for the weekend. Personally I would have liked Hayes to start at 1B and Luke Acosta to start at DH. Would like to see him be rewarded for a big hit last night.

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  12. 1

    Sam Gaviglio gives up an RBI double and it’s 1-0 Cougars. His pitches have all been up in the zone so far. Very rare.

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  19. 1

    Sam settled down and got the next two guys. That was more of what i expected. He finally started to find a feel for his breaking balls and his fast ball had something on it. Hopefully he can get into a rhythm and keep the Cougars where they’re at now.

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  20. 1

    Single by Miller and a walk by Barnes to lead-off the bottom half of the first. The Beavers will score some runs.

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  22. 0
    1

    1 out and runners on first and third now. I think they should put Barnes in motion and see if Danny Hayes can drive in a couple on a single.

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  25. 1

    Noticing a trend by Keyes the last two games now. He’s trying to pull everything. That success he had might just have gone to his head. He was successful because he hit the ball to all fields and stayed back on the ball. He needs to start staying back on the ball or he will go into a bad slump.

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  32. RBI single by Ryan Barnes. 4-2 now. Hopefully the Beavers can string together a few more hits in this inning and cut into the lead some more or tie this one up.

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  33. Norris walks. Runners on first and second and 1 out. Would be a big hit if Danny Hayes can launch one into the gap. Great time for Hayes to finally get a hit.

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  35. Kavin Keyes still pulling off the ball. He’s not making an adjustment. It’s almost has if he thinks he has a ton of power. Needs to take some of these pitches to left field

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  37. What the hell is wrong with Mike Parker? Psychologically speaking…there’s something wrong with the guy. It sounds like he’s going to cry.

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    • He’s just a little over the top emotionally. Gets really into the game so he reacts that way. But he did have good reason to be upset after the pitch to Ryan Dunn.

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  45. Beavers are having a terrible defensive inning. Gaviglio blows a tapper back to the mound and Norris can’t field a bunt. This is how you lose games.

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    • Stamps knows better than to push this “diving catch” thing; he said as much in an interview. Even though he has had great luck with diving catches several times it finally caught up with him.

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  49. Unfortunately, I can’t catch the end of this game. I should give one of you my number for text updates. BB20, you on Verizon?

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  53. Tyler Smith is the most clutch hitter on the team. Whenever they need a big hit late in the game he always is the to come through.

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  57. Jared Norris doubles and Danny Hayes hits the game winning RBI single and the Beavers win 7-6. 11th straight win. They had no business winning this game but found a way to pull this one out. That’s what really good teams do.

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      • Completely agree. I always thought they would still eventually pull this one out, that’s because this team is so mentally tough and has come back so many times before. To me, they always seem to believe they will win no matter the circumstances. That’s a great mentality to have. Definitely will help them as the season moves forward.

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    • I missed the end of the game, but earlier on I think I heard Mike Parker say that Hayes had been in a slump (5 for 30) and also that his dad was in the stands. Confirm, anyone and if so, what a deal!

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  58. WSU is a good club! They’ve been hanging tough with us, but they just don’t have enough to hold onto their leads and play defense it seems.

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    • They’ve definitely hung tough, they just aren’t good enough to win these games. Beavers have to come focused to the ballpark tomorrow. WSU will badly wanna avoid the sweep

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      • Notice how I said good, and not great/excellent? That’s because they’re good enough to compete and hang tough, but they fall short when it comes to winning. I could see the nerves in the pitcher in the 9th inning after #17(not good with baseball names to jersey #) hit that double.

        I also LOVE LOVE LOVE when they put the hit and run into play! when it works, it WORKS to perfection! instead of moving up a spot, Stamps moved two spots and into true scoring position. It’s that aggressive play that helped win us the game. I loved when Stamps scored and he got the team fired up…it was like when Mitch Meeuwsen picked off the ^ucks and ran it back for a TD. lol

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        • You’re referring to Jared Norris. Pat Casey usually doesn’t do a whole lot of hit and run but it works a ton. Pat Casey is just pushing buttons and they keep working.

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          • Back in 06′ and 07′ I remember Coach Casey using plenty of hit and runs…perhaps it’s because he had better hitters and base runners and was able to play against consistent pitchers vs. inconsistent ones. Also, it doesn’t work when guys swing at almost anything that appears to be in the strike zone instead of being patient.

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          • Actually, this Oregon State team is much more patient than the 2006 and 2007 teams. If anything this squad at times isn’t aggressive enough. Pat Casey just seems to have more confidence in this group to get it done offensively.

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  60. AWESOME Ballgame! Oregon State had to play gutsy the whole day to fight their way back. Way to dig deep BEAVERS and claim the series. A third consecutive sweep tomorrow and all of Beaver Nation will be going crazy. Great job!

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    • Definitely. They never give up and find ways to win. So refreshing to see. This team is definitely special. Hopefully they are able to finish off the sweep tomorrow and extend the win streak to 12.

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      • Awesome win tonight. Great to see multiple guys step up with clutch hits when needed. WSU is always tough against us and tomorrow looks no different. I agree with many others about Nygren. He obviously has ability but is not consistent. The game always feels one pitch away from being busted open when he’s on the mound. Its almost the halfway point in Pac-10 and they need to establish the 3rd guy in the rotation. If one of the freshmen doesn’t step up then insert Boyd and settle it. Get the sweep tomorrow!

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        • I think the #3 guy will be Boyd or Schultz. I think by the Washington series the rotation will all be figured out. Will need to see how Schultz does and whether Casey goes to Boyd and that will take some time before a permanent #3 is named. I think they will find a #3 guy so I’m not too worried about that.

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  62. I went to see Wicked at the Hult Center instead of watching the game, but I’m glad the Beavs pulled it out in the end. Looking forward to watching the next game in a few hours.

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  63. Ugh, I’ve got game 3 on Fox College Sports Pacific down here in Louisiana, but they’re not showing it til 7pm central… 5 pacific. :( Instead they’re showing a replay of UCLA / Washington when the game should be live. What the hell?

    Reply

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