Editor’s Note: This story has been updated to include the correct name for two improperly attributed photos by Taylor Cockrell.
After falling short at the Corvallis Super Regionals in 2022, Beaver Baseball looks to redeem themselves and punch their ticket to Omaha.
No. 15 ranked Oregon State will fly to Lexington, Kentucky to face the No. 2 ranked and Southeastern Conference champions, the University of Kentucky Wildcats.
The schools’ first meeting comes at a do-or-die time, as Aiden May and Jacob Kmatz look to get the job done against the Wildcats’ starters, Trey Pooser and Mason Moore.
“(May’s) always attacking and being aggressive in confidence,” freshman starting pitcher Eric Segura said. “He’s always thinking he’s going to win… bringing that to the staff makes everyone think like that.”
Segura’s confidence in May and Kmatz relaxes his nerves as he waits patiently to start the possible elimination game on Monday, June 9.
Senior AJ Lattery relieved starting pitcher Segura during Monday’s continuation game, but was taken out in the bottom of the fifth after a wild pitch that hit University of California, Irvine’s Will Bermudez.
Lattery dealt with a right elbow injury through the bulk of the season.
“It didn’t seem too crazy,” head coach Mitch Canham said. “It was more tightness and a muscular (injury), so that’s a good sign.”
Luckily, bullpen pitchers Nelson Keljo and Stopper of the Year finalist Bridger Holmes, have struck fear into their opponents
Beaver baseball pitching is a key component to the team’s success, and will need to adjust to the small-ball mentality of the Wildcats.
The Wildcats are 113 in 143 attempts for stolen bases.
“When there are runners on base you try and mix up your timing a lot to prevent them from stealing, but when there are runners on, it’s not too different for me,” Segura said.
Catchers Wilson Weber and Tanner Smith will make their bid to start against the Wildcats this weekend.
“I have all the trust in the world in those guys,” Kmatz said. “Webber and Tanner are both going to block it like crazy and throw guys out when they need to.”
The speedy Wildcats don’t just control the base path offensively. On defense, junior catcher Devin Burkes has only given up 29 stolen bases on 39 attempts.
With the lights shining brightly on the Golden Spikes and Dick Howser Trophy finalist Travis Bazzana, opposing teams shift their focus on shutting down Bazzana, but leave room for under-the-radar players to shine.
“There’s a lot of guys really tearing it up,” Canham said. “It’s great because when all the attention goes to one (player), who can handle the attention and still perform, every other guy isn’t getting as much focus on them from the pitcher or defense.”
Elijah Hainline played in his first regional tournament this weekend and laid out a masterful performance. He went 6-for-12 over the weekend and sealed their fate with a home run and three RBIs in the last game against UC Irvine.
“Hainline continues to go out and get better and produce,” Canham said. “Him and Travis making a mound visit the other day after we made a defensive miscue was huge.”
The leadership from the middle infield translates to other players on the team.
“Every time Travis seems to drive a baseball over the fence or in the gap, Micah (McDowell) does exactly the same,” Canham said. “They feed off one another.”
Bazzana and Senior Micah McDowell pair as a deadly duo in the number one and two holes.
McDowell went 8-for-13, scoring three runs and knocking in three RBIs. His energy was a missing piece while he battled a quadricep injury that had him sidelined from March 24th until earlier this May.
Sophomores Gavin Turley and Dallas Macias follow suit behind Bazzana and McDowell. The young guns each recorded a homerun. Turley ended the weekend with five RBIs and Macias with four.
The SEC champions led by junior Ryan Waldschimdt are ready for chaos to ensue, and the Beavers can expect a combative atmosphere from the Wildcat fans.
Oregon State will face Kentucky in a best-of-three series starting Saturday at 3 p.m. PT, Sunday at 6 p.m. PT, and Monday TBD if necessary. All the games will be broadcast on ESPNU.
