Beavers and Mustangs Play Middle Game of Series

24th ranked Oregon St. (20-6) and Cal-Poly (8-14) of the Big West Conference continue their spring break series this afternoon at 1:35 PM at Goss Stadium.

Last night, the Mustangs broke open what was a pitchers duel for most of the game, scoring 6 runs in the 7th inning, capped by John Schuknecht's grand slam.

Just as Cal-Poly took an 8-1 lead, which ultimately was the final score, the skies opened up literally, just as they seemed to have figuratively, and though both deluges were brief, it was still a miserable end to the evening for Oregon St., who suffered their first loss at Goss this year, after winning their first 13 home games.

The 8-1 loss was the Beavers' worst home loss to a non-conference foe in about 7 years, and its been a decade since there has been a home Oregon St. loss by more than 7 runs. (Last year's 12-2 NCAA Regional loss to UC-Irvine, another Big West team. excluded.)

The Mustangs, and All-American starting pitcher Casey Bloomquist, who threw a complete game 4 hitter at the Beavers last night, also beat 9th ranked USC last Friday night, so beating a ranked Pac-12 opponent on Friday night is becoming a pattern for Cal-Poly. The Trojans came back to take the last 2 games of the series, though, and that's the same task the Beavers now have before them.

None of the games this weekend will be televised, but the Oregon St. internet stream will be skipping along.

Oregon St. Game Notes.

Cal-Poy Series Notes.

Live stats.

Live streaming audio.

Oregon St. will send out freshman RHP Drew Rasmussen (3-0, 1.36 ERA) this afternoon. All the would-be high school senior who enrolled early did in his last inning was throw a perfect game at Washington St. last Saturday, beating the Cougs 3-0.

Cal-Poly will counter with freshman LHP Kyle Smith (1-4, 4.88 ERA). Smith made it into the 6th inning last Saturday against USC, but gave up the first 5 runs in what would eventually turn into a 13-0 Trojan conquest.

On the surface, the Beavers appear to have a distinct starting pitching advantage today against the Mustangs, reversing the tables from what happened in the opener.

Andy_Wooldridge@yahoo.com