Editor’s Note: This is a column and does not reflect the views or opinions of the Daily Barometer.

The Oregon State Beavers will host a well-deserved homestay for regionals, which begins Friday, May 30, at 6 p.m. against Saint Mary’s College of California.

Now, it’s unknown what the pitching rotation will be this weekend. But what is known is the teams that are in town. The Beavers have graciously welcomed a weekend visit for Saint Mary’s, Texas Christian University, and the University of Southern California. 

In these scenarios, you’re never going to have a full scouting report, as the unpredictability of who you’re playing becomes a part of the game. You can only go out there and do your best in preparation, and there’s been no man better at making these adjustments than Nelson Keljo, who, in the late half, made a move to the bullpen.

“I’ll scout them for sure. (Rich) Dorman will have us in a pitchers meeting, go over their hitters, just game by game, but, you know, just sticking to my routine, being consistent with it, and just super excited for it all,” Keljo said. 

It’s essential to figure out what got you to this position in the first place. During the playoffs, players try to step up and end up doing too much, which can hurt their team. OSU pitcher Ethan Kleinschmit, who has been as steady as one can be in the rotation, isn’t phased by what’s ahead.

“Yeah, I just go through the same pre-game routine as normal. Don’t change anything up just because it’s a different atmosphere game or whatever. So I just stay with the same process and trust that,” Kleinschmit said.

Earning the No. 8 seed came as a surprise to Oregon State, but there was a common idea throughout the dugout that this was earned, allowing them to host a regional with the possibility of hosting a super regional.

“I felt it was much deserving for what these guys have accomplished, who they are, how they responded to both good times and bad times throughout the entirety of the year, and putting in all those miles that they did,” head coach Mitch Canham said. “We’ve busted our butts to have the opportunity to play the important games at home.”

Achieving a record of 17-2 at home helped prove the significance of how beneficial this homestand will be. Yet when it comes to the playoffs, whether at home or away, the Beavers will look to maintain the calming environment created by Canham and his staff.

“It’s for us as coaches to also show, you know, excitement, joy, and the right kind of intensity as opposed to pressing. So usually, in rough times, I’ll pay very close attention, even to how I’m talking,” Canham said. “It’s learning how to control the breath, learning how to get excited in the right way for a moment, and continuing to visualize success and not letting those other ugly thoughts creep in.” 

The Beavers came in the tail length of Omaha last season, but fell short in the super-regional loss against the University of Kentucky. If adversity has taught Canham and the crew anything, it’s to come back stronger, and the goal isn’t just to make it to Omaha. It’s to win the College World Series.

“It bothers me just thinking about getting to Omaha. If you could win it, and if you’re thinking of anything less than that, then shame on you for not setting your expectations high enough,” Canham said.