Spring Break
Beavers play first home game since World Series victory
OSU opened the season with 17 games on the road; coach says Purple Aces are a strong team
Casey Grogan
Issue date: 3/8/07 Section: Sports
After 17 straight road games, the No. 6 Oregon State baseball team is ready to come home.
Monday, the Beavers squeaked out a 6-5 win over No. 9 Texas A&M, finishing their weekend 3-1. The Beavers (14-3 overall) debut their 2007 roster at Goss Stadium in a three game series with No. 25 Evansville beginning today.
The Purple Aces (9-4) are a relative unknown outside the world of college baseball. The Beavers will not underestimate Evansville, a team that has become a fixture in the NCAA Tournament.
Evansville, fresh off of a 19-1 victory over Murray State, is the defending champion of the Missouri Valley Conference and returns six starters from last year's squad.
"They won their conference last year and were in regionals," OSU head coach Pat Casey said. "They are a very good club with good pitching and we are very fortunate that we can have a schedule now that has some really good people coming in here."
Anchoring the Purple Aces outfield is junior Jim Viscomi. Viscomi, an All-MVC selection last season, is hitting .382 with eight stolen bases. Senior shortstop Robbie Minor is also a threat on the bases, finishing the 2006 season with 16 steals. Minor is hitting .367 for the Purple Aces this season. Viscomi and Minor both could test the arm of OSU junior catcher Mitch Canham.
"When you have speed you have to look at them," Casey said. "You have to do things right, hold runners, [and] defend behind the plate. Speed is a real weapon."
Evansville's projected game-one starter is senior Ben Norton. The right-hander holds a 2-1 record while keeping opponents offenses quiet. Norton sports a .167 batting average against, which teamed with his 18 strikeouts has given him a 2.01 ERA.
The Beavers should expect to see senior Kai Tuomi during the weekend series. Tuomi, a southpaw, is 4-0 with a 0.86 ERA.
"We have had that deal all along with a new club every weekend," Casey said. "We need to do what we are capable of. We are well aware of how good their pitching is."
Monday, the Beavers squeaked out a 6-5 win over No. 9 Texas A&M, finishing their weekend 3-1. The Beavers (14-3 overall) debut their 2007 roster at Goss Stadium in a three game series with No. 25 Evansville beginning today.
The Purple Aces (9-4) are a relative unknown outside the world of college baseball. The Beavers will not underestimate Evansville, a team that has become a fixture in the NCAA Tournament.
Evansville, fresh off of a 19-1 victory over Murray State, is the defending champion of the Missouri Valley Conference and returns six starters from last year's squad.
"They won their conference last year and were in regionals," OSU head coach Pat Casey said. "They are a very good club with good pitching and we are very fortunate that we can have a schedule now that has some really good people coming in here."
Anchoring the Purple Aces outfield is junior Jim Viscomi. Viscomi, an All-MVC selection last season, is hitting .382 with eight stolen bases. Senior shortstop Robbie Minor is also a threat on the bases, finishing the 2006 season with 16 steals. Minor is hitting .367 for the Purple Aces this season. Viscomi and Minor both could test the arm of OSU junior catcher Mitch Canham.
"When you have speed you have to look at them," Casey said. "You have to do things right, hold runners, [and] defend behind the plate. Speed is a real weapon."
Evansville's projected game-one starter is senior Ben Norton. The right-hander holds a 2-1 record while keeping opponents offenses quiet. Norton sports a .167 batting average against, which teamed with his 18 strikeouts has given him a 2.01 ERA.
The Beavers should expect to see senior Kai Tuomi during the weekend series. Tuomi, a southpaw, is 4-0 with a 0.86 ERA.
"We have had that deal all along with a new club every weekend," Casey said. "We need to do what we are capable of. We are well aware of how good their pitching is."
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