The Barometer Online

Issue date: 4/13/07 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Peter Strong Starting pitcher Mike Stutes, who enters today's game with a 7-1 record this season, takes on a strong hitting Cal team lead by David Cooper. Pitching for OSU will be a key to success this weekend.

With a "Friday the 13th" series opener against Cal, the OSU baseball team hopes that lightning will not strike twice.

Two weeks ago, the No. 9 Beavers (26-7 overall, 2-4 Pac-10) were swept by the University of Arizona in Tucson. Rebounding, the Beavers took the series against USC and knocked off in-state rival University of Portland on Tuesday. Last weekend, Cal (17-17, 2-4) was also swept in Tucson by the Wildcats. OSU looks to keep history from repeating as they search for a series victory against the Golden Bears.

The Beavers, having gotten a strong performance from starter Jorge Reyes and their bullpen against the Pilots, are hoping to ride the momentum into this weekend's Pac-10 match-up. The series with Cal looks to start with a bang by featuring a marquee pitching duel with OSU's Mike Stutes taking the hill against Golden Bear right-hander Tyson Ross.

"It's always big to win your mid-week games," said shortstop Darwin Barney. "You can use it to get all your players in and get everyone some time. You get rollin' for the weekend. It was good that our bats came alive and we should be able to use that this weekend."

Ross enters the weekend with a record of 3-4 and a 2.23 ERA, but the Beavers will not let his losing record get into their heads. On March 22, Ross was beat by Oral Roberts in a game in which he gave up only three hits and struck out 16 batters through seven innings. For the Beavers, Stutes is currently 7-1 and has found his control and velocity that played a role in his loss to Arizona.

"Tyson Ross is one of the best there is in the country," said coach Pat Casey. "He went nine innings at Arizona without giving up a run. It will be a big Friday night game in the Pac-10. It reminds me of last year where you had (Tim) Lincecum, (Ian) Kennedy and (Dallas) Buck every Friday."

Following Ross in the rotation will be junior Alex Rollin, who despite his 5.69 ERA, is 6-2 on the year. Oregon State also may once again face a strong closer in Matt Gorgen. Gorgen has only six saves but along with his strong 1.91 ERA, he has struck out 52 in only 37.2 innings.

Continued...

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