UC-Riverside (1-2) vs. #6 Oregon St. (3-0) / 8:30 AM PST / Palm Springs / KEJO 1240 AM & KPOJ 620 AM
Oregon St. and UC-Riverside wrap up the Palm Springs Tournament Series of Games this morning, with an odd, 8:30 AM game. In all likelihood, there will be more people listening in at work than will be on hand, though the weekend was very well attended, especially by Beaver Nation, which had well over 1,000 people in town for the weekend.
It's a rematch of yesterday, when the Beavers blew the Highlanders out, winning 14-3 in a game called for the 10 run rule after 6 1/2 innings.
There is again the 10 run rule in effect today, and additionally, no new inning can start after 11:30. A tie can result, and will stand, should that eventuate.
With starters Ben Wetzler and Taylor Starr out for the weekend, Oregon St. coach Pat Casey has shuffled his pitching staff, and today's starter for the Beavers will be a game morning decision. Casey decided over breakfast to start with Dylan Davis.
UC-Riverside plans to go with RHP Mitch Patito, a 6'1" senior RHP. After the Highlanders went thru 5 pitchers in 6 innings Sunday, after using 6 pitchers in their first 2 games, there may not be much left in the bullpen to back up Patito.
Last year, Patito had 16 appearances, including 10 starts. Patito threw 50 innings, with a 3-4 record, and a 3.96 ERA. He allowed 41 hits and 22 runs, all earned, and struck out 61 against 40 walks.
Oregon St.'s staff is in decent shape, having used only 7 pitchers so far, and Tony Bryant certainly could go again today if needed.
The weekend has been a success for Oregon St., not just in terms of the 3 wins, but also in that Coach Pat Casey has gotten a lot of players, including a number of new Beavers, into the games. Expect more of the same this morning.
So if you have the time, pour a cup of coffee, listen in, and share your thoughts on the start the Beavers have gotten off to.
Andy_Wooldridge@yahoo.com