The Barometer Online

Issue date: 5/9/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Peter Strong Kevin Rhoderick throws the final pitch that earned him his team-leading 10 save of the season.

With only six Pac-10 games remaining, the Oregon State baseball team welcomes the UCLA Bruins to Goss Stadium this weekend for a big series that could determine who makes the postseason and who stays home.

"It's huge. Every game we play now we have to win," pitcher James Nygren said. "We've got to take at least two out of three against UCLA. We're going to do everything we can to win these games."

The Beavers have won two in a row after dropping the previous four to Gonzaga and Washington State. Oregon State (22-18, 9-9) is currently tied for fourth place with Cal in the Pac-10 and currently sits three games out of first with only six conference games remaining. UCLA (24-21, 7-8) is right behind the Beavers in fifth place and will come to Corvallis looking to improve its postseason position as well.

"Obviously everyone in the Pac-10 is important because they're only a half-game behind us," coach Pat Casey said. "We only got six to go and obviously every win is important."

The Beavers are coming off a 4-1 win over the Portland Pilots on Wednesday after dropping two of three to Washington State over the weekend. The pitching staff got a much-needed rest with Nygren's solid eight-inning performance against Portland before the bullpen was used. The freshman earned his first collegiate win.

The Oregon State pitching staff was lit up in Pullman, allowing a combined total of 30 runs in the three-game series.

The Beavers must play much better this weekend if they hope to compete with the Bruins, who will be looking to put a dent in the two-time defending champs' bid to return to the postseason for a fourth consecutive year. The coaches and players know what the Bruins bring to the table.

"We've had some great battles with UCLA," Casey said.

"We're going to have to play some great baseball in order to win the series."

Playing great down the stretch has been the Beavers' calling card the past few seasons, and once again it will come down to finishing the season strong. The Beavers have shown that playing the best baseball in May and June is when it matters the most. Hopefully for Oregon State fans that is the case once again. The Bruins are going to be a tough test.

Continued...

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