Washington (3-3-1) vs. #2 Oregon St. (5-2) / Surprise Stadium, Surprise, AZ / 11 AM MST (10 AM PST) / No TV / KEJO 1240 AM / KPOJ 620 AM
Game Notes / Washington Weekend Notes
After 3 games each against Nebraska, Michigan St., and Indiana over the weekend in the Aramark Big-10 Pac-12 Challenge, Oregon St. and Washington wrap up their stay in Surprise, AZ, with a game against each other before heading back to the relatively cool and damp northwest.
The Beavers were surprised by Nebraska and Michigan St. in their first 2 games, getting blown out 9-2 by the Huskers, and then edged 8-7 by the Spartans, before bouncing back yesterday morning with a strong 8-1 win over the Hoosiers, powered by a 6 run 7th inning.
Logan Ice was red hot, driving in his first 3 RBIs as a Beaver, and Nick Rulli, playing for Jeff Hendrix, who pulled a hamstring Saturday, also had a 3 RBI day, as the lower part of the batting order really produced.
After some concerning pitching outings the first two days of the tournament, Oregon St. also got a boost in a complete game win by Scott Schultz, who scattered 6 hits against the Hoosiers.
The Huskies also had a rough start, losing 8-2 to Indiana and 13-3 against Nebraska, before they too bounced back, with a solid 4-1 win over Michigan St.
Washington was the only team besides Mississippi St. and San Diego to have a winning record against Oregon St. last season, taking both ends of a soggy Saturday doubleheader.
With Ben Wetzler finishing up his NCAA eligibility issue suspension, the Beavers will again turn to RHP freshman Jake Thompson (1-0, 0.00 ERA) for the start today. Thompson went 7 innings in Oregon St.'s 7-0 win against Pacific last Monday, giving up only 3 hits and 2 walks, and struck out 3 Tigers.
The Huskies' decision about a starter was a game morning decision. Junior RHP Tyler Davis (1-0, 0.00 ERA) got the call.
Today's main change is trying freshman Billy King at DH, though with Hendrix still on the mend, instead of Nick Rulli, coach Pat Casey is also going to try Michael Hamilton in center field.
Here's today's Oregon St. lineup.
SS - Trever Morrison
3B - Caleb Hamilton
LF - Michael Conforto
RF - Dylan Davis
1B - Kavin Keyes
CF - Michael Howard
C - Logan Ice
DH - Billy King
2B - Andy Peterson
P - Jake Thompson
Andy_Wooldridge@yahoo.com