Oregon St. Goes For Sweep Of Utah

Utah (14-16, 4-10) at #6 Oregon St. (27-6, 9-2) / 12:05 PM / Goss Stadium / KEJO 1240 AM & KPOJ 620 AM

Game Notes / Gametracker / Live Stream

6th ranked Oregon St. goes for their second Pac-12 series sweep of the season, and 6th weekend sweep of the year at noon today against Utah.

The Beavers will start the quest with junior LHP Ben Wetzler (1-1, 2.10 ERA). Wetzler went far enough to qualify for a win last Sunday for the first time this season, and got his first "W" of the year in leading Oregon St. to a 5-2 victory over UCLA.

The Utes will counter with junior LHP Tanner Banks (1-3, 2.48 ERA). Banks will be making only his 5th appearance, and 5th start, of the season.

Due to Utah's flight connections, there is a 4 hour time limit on new innings today, which likely won't be an issue unless the game goes extra innings, or the weather becomes an issue. The first 2 games of the series were played in just over 2 hours and slightly over 2 1/2 hours yesterday. But 2 of 3 games last year in Salt Lake City were extra inning games. And the forecast calls for cold, showery weather today.

In an almost unheard of piece of sanity in a Pac-12 game, the 10 run rule is in play today come the 7th inning.

Here's a look at Michael Conforto's leaping diving catch in the second inning Saturday that might be the play of the day in the Pac-12.

The Beavers could use another web gem of this nature again today!

Jake Rodriguez, who took yesterday off with bruised ribs, will not start again today, but is cleared to play, and head coach Pat Casey said he would use J-Rod later in the game if necessary, but preferred to not take a chance by playing him all day.

Beau Day gets another start as the DH, after going 4 for 4 yesterday. With lefty going for Utah, Danny Hayes isn't in the starting lineup.

Today's lineup:

Tyler Smith-SS

Andy Peterson-2B

Michael Conforto-LF

Dylan Davis-CF

Ryan Barnes-RF

Beau Day-DH

Jerad Casper-1B

Kavin Keyes-3B

Nate Esposito-C

Andy_Wooldridge@yahoo.com