Nebraska (2-2) vs. #2 Oregon St. (4-0) / Surprise Stadium / Aramark Big-10 Pac-12 Challenge Tournament in Surprise, AZ / 1 PM MST (12 Noon PST) / No TV / KEJO 1240 AM / KPOJ 620 AM
Game Notes / Nebraska Tournament Notes
Oregon St. returns to the Valley of the Sun this weekend for the Aramark Big-10 Pac-12 Challenge Tournament, joining Utah and Washington to represent the Pac, against Nebraska, Michigan St., and Indiana of the B1G. The games are in Surprise, AZ, at the pre-season home of the Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals.
The Huskers are the Beavers first opponent, in a rematch of last Saturday's meeting across town in Tempe, in the Husker Classic. That was a rout, as Oregon St. stormed out to a 15-2 lead before Nebraska put together a 5 run last at bat after the benches had been cleared to make the final 15-7 Beavers.
Kavin Keyes had a huge day at the expense of Husker pitching, with 3 hits and a walk, which produced 3 RBIs and a run scored. Michael Conforto helped make his case for being named the Pac-12 Player of the Week at Nebraska's expense as well, with 2 hits when he wasn't drawing bases on balls, as the Huskers walked him 3 times. It led to 3 RBIs and 3 runs scored.
Sophomore RHP Andrew Moore (0-0, 1.50 ERA), who gave up 3 runs, but only 5 hits, in the 6 innings he worked in Oregon St.'s opening day come from behind 4-3 win over Gonzaga, gets the Friday start again for the Beavers.
The Ben Wetzler eligibility fiasco remains unresolved, and Oregon St. will be without the big lefty again this weekend.
Nebraska will counter with senior RHP Christian DeLeon (0-0, 6.23 ERA), one of the few Husker pitchers the Beavers didn't see, as Nebraska used 7 arms against Oregon St. DeLeon worked into the 5th inning on opening day against Pacific, not long enough to get the decision, and he left with the game tied 3-3. Nebraska would go on to pull out the 5-3 win over the Tigers with 2 runs in the bottom of the 7th. DeLeon gave up 7 hits and 3 walks, against 3 strikeouts, and therefore gave up 3 runs.
This is only the 3rd time Oregon St. and Nebraska have ever met, with the Beavers having now won both previous contests.
Here's the starting lineup for the Beavers, who will wear their black shirts for the first time this season today:
CF - Jeff Hendrix
2B - Andy Peterson
LF -_ Michael Conforto
RF - Dylan Davis
1B - Kavin Keyes
3B - Caleb Hamilton
DH - Michael Howard
C - Logan Ice
SS - Trever Morrison
P - Andrew Moore
Andy_Wooldridge@yahoo.com