The Oregon State Beavers (51-12) and the Indiana Hoosiers (49-15) will be looking to avoid elimination from the 2013 College World Series in the only game of the day at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Nebraska. The game will air live on ESPN. Mike Patrick (play-by-play), Orel Hershiser (color) and Jessica Mendoza (field) will broadcast the game.
After losing to Mississippi State 5-4 in game one of this year’s College World Series the Beavers rebounded in a loser’s bracket game against the Louisville Cardinals 11-4 . Matt Boyd, 10-4 record with a 2.18 ERA, is expected to start for Oregon State having pitched in relief in the loss against Mississippi State.
“I’ve been chomping at the bit for the next time I get out there,” Boyd said after Tuesday’s practice at Bellevue East High. “Really looking forward to Wednesday.”
Offensively Oregon State is led by LF Michael Conforto (.335, 13 2Bs, 11 HRs, 47 RBIs, .536 slugging percentage); 2B Andy Peterson (.335, 0 HRs, 27 RBIs); RF Dylan Davis (.335, 22 2Bs, 5 HRs, 61 RBIs, .506 slugging percentage).
Oregon State usually plays well with their backs against the wall and will need to do so again.
Indiana got off to a good start beating Louisville in Game 2-0 but the Hoosiers stumbled late against Mississippi State 5-4. “We know we’re capable of coming back,” Indiana coach Tracy Smith said. “We’re going to regroup.” Indiana Struck out 14 times against Mississippi State and the Hoosiers are looking for more consistency at the plate.
“We’ve got to have more consistent at-bats (against OSU),” Smith said. “We are a good hitting team and we will be a good hitting team in our next ball game.”
Indiana has a .306 team batting average and have scored more runs (53) and more homers (6) than any other team in Omaha, led by 3B Dustin DeMuth (.378, 24 2Bs, 5 HRs, 41 RBIs, .548 slugging percentage); C Kyle Schwarber (.372, 18 HRs, 54 RBIs, .658 slugging percentage, 42 BBs, .462 on-base percentage); DH Scott Donley (.361, 16 2Bs, 5 HRs, 61 RBIs, .508 slugging percentage)
Aaron Slegers (9-1, 2.13 earned run average) will get the start for Indiana and has not pitched in the first two games in Omaha. a key for Indiana will be to keep mistakes and a minimum having committed 11 errors in tournament play.
