The Barometer Online

Issue date: 2/18/09 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Jeff Wick Sophomore Tanner Robles delivers a pitch in an intersquad scrimmage. Robles will start Oregon State's first game of the 2009 season at the University of Tennessee.

Living up to its pitching expectancies, Oregon State's 2009 roster is a multitude of possibilities.

With an assortment of Friday Night potential, Nate Yeskie has tweaked and developed what might be one of the best pitching staff's in Oregon State history.

"The pitching staff is something we have some real depth in," head coach Pat Casey said. "We feel like you're going to have to have five to six starters the way the schedule pans out. We like the quality and depth of our arms."

Riding on the leadership and experience of junior Jorge Reyes, the one-time College World Series Most Outstanding Player, hopes to rebound after what he considered was a disappointing season. With maturity on his side and success in his past, Reyes knows what it takes to win and realizes his role as leader. Posting a career record of 11-6, the Warden Washington native has struck out 120 batters in 140.2 innings pitched. Nearly doubling his ERA between 2007 and 2008, with a jump from 28 to 53, Reyes has made changes to his approach and added pitches to his selection.

"I think the team just had a bad year, and we learned from what happened," Reyes said. "In 2006, we were excited coming off of a national championship. I think this year, after not making it, we have more motivation. We have a little fire. We were pretty upset about what happened. I think we are way more motivated about playing hard and winning some more games."

Behind Reyes is a slew of young talent, including both transfers and returnees. Possible veteran starters for the 2009 season include Tanner Robles, Greg Peavey, Josh Osich and James Nygren. All four have started for the Beavers in regular season play, showing more success as the season progressed. Although Peavey is the only one on the list with an ERA less than five, each of them demonstrated improvement over the summer.

"I think Reyes is a guy who has gotten a lot better." Casey said. "He pitched well at the end of the summer. You have a newcomer in Tyler Waldron who brings a lot of experience. I think all of those guys, as a staff, have the opportunity to contribute."

Continued...

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