Editor’s Note: This is a column and does not reflect the views or opinions of the Daily Barometer.
The Oregon State Beavers dismantled the Long Beach State Dirtbags 13-0 in only seven innings to end the season Saturday afternoon at Goss Stadium.
Toeing the slab every series finale is the left-handed pitcher Ethan Kleinschmit, who puts fate in his hands by delivering all 200 pounds behind the ball with the conviction that nobody can catch a whiff of his fastball. That bulldog mentality helped accumulate seven strikeouts across six innings, only letting up one hit on two walks.
“He’s (Kleinschmit) not a big emotional guy, he’s just steady as it goes, and having that guy come in and pummel the zone and close out a weekend is incredible,” said head coach Mitch Canham. “You have a really good sense of what Kleinschmit is going to do when he takes the mound.”
Long Beach State slugger Kyle Ashworth caught a glimpse of this first at bat as Kleinschmit struck him out swinging. It appeared Ashworth gave his team the wrong intel when he returned to the dugout as the Dirtbags appeared lost against the big left-handed pitcher.
Kleinschmit resembled a little modern-day Randy Johnson in giving the hitter chin music to warrant an uncomfortable time at the plate. Now, it’s not that he is grazing 100 mph every pitch like Johnson did, but his ability to tunnel his pitches makes his 94 mph fastball seem like it’s coming in way hotter.
The rotation has shifted to Eric Segura as the Friday night starter. Then, for game two, it’s the lethal combination of Dax Whitney and Nelson Keljo, who make it difficult for any hitter to get their foot down in time. Yet Kleinschmit has remained as the game-three starter and is the anchor who ensures his ball club can enter the team vans with all smiles on travel day.
“Everything about him (Kleinschmit) says consistency, and that’s something that you want and you trust, so you know what you’re going to get out of him,” said Canham.
It always appears to be a travel day due to the 35 games the Beavers have played on the road. It’s truly been a different motto: It’s not how you start; it’s how you finish.
Kleinschmit recognizes the importance of being a cleaner. Yes, a cleaner, not a closer, because a closer expects recognition for their job. A cleaner goes out on the mound, does their job, and expects nothing in return. By giving the current sophomore Kleinschmit his flowers on senior day, he will look to continue his gritty performances in the Beavers’ playoff chase.
“Kleinschmit is electric anytime he takes the mound. It’s so awesome to watch. I love being in the dugout, being down in the pen watching him throw, it was nice to throw a shutout,” said pitcher Noah Ferguson after closing out the game to complete the shutout.
The Beavers will conclude the season with a 41-12-1 record and await the 2025 college baseball tournament selection show, beginning May 26 at noon ET. They hope to host their own regional at Goss Stadium.