Oregon State vs. Utah Valley Game 1 Thoughts

But I do know that the NCAA shortened the season, which is part of the problem. I’ve heard Coach Casey talk about the shorter schedule a few times, but I don’t remember the exact details.

I know that on one hand you’d like to give some of your regulars a day off in a game like yesterday’s, but I didn’t really like the way the line-up was completely shifted around. I mean, we need to get some guys time, but it’s kinda disrespecting your opponent to throw in your reserves. Granted, our reserves should be able to beat Utah Valley.

Jason Ogata is an infielder but has DHed almost (if not every) Pac-10 game this season. He played second base yesterday, which is different. And Koa Kahalehoe got the start in right, and Daniel Robertson played out of his normal position in center. Lonnie Lechelt, who usually plays second, played third.

Errors killed us in this game. There was a communication error between Ogata at second and Koa in right where a fly ball dropped, leading to a Utah Valley run. Then there was the error by Joey at shortstop with two outs that gave the Wolverines the bases loaded and set up the grand slam. Without those five runs the Beavers probably don’t get so down on themselves and could possibly take the lead in their late inning surge.

But that’s baseball, ya know?

BTW, we have a Monday game after the USC series, so that makes for four days straight as well.

Having input from Beaver Nation is what makes what I do so much easier.

As for Joey, I totally agree. I was at the game on Saturday and watched him totally let a ball under his glove on a routine ground ball. It’s just one of those things. As for Monday’s game, the ball he let by resulted in four runs for Utah Valley. You’ll also hear Coach Casey talk about walks a lot. There’s no way to defend a walk, especially to start an inning, let alone a game. Example: Tanner Robles in Game 2 against UCLA. I remember hearing Mike Parker talk about how even the very first pitch can set the tone for a game. Mike Stutes started off the Bruins with a strike in Game 1 and went on to pitch the first complete game of his career. Robles started Game 2 off with a ball, and he didn’t even get out of the first inning. Again, baseball is a funny game.

The Beavers head down to LA this weekend to play USC, then will stop at Long Beach State for a Monday game on the way home. Then the Beavs finish up the regular season with a home series against Pacific. Hopefully that will be a good tine-up series for the post-season.