After beating Louisville 11-4 in an elimination game Monday, the Beavers will send Matt Boyd to the mound Wednesday night in another loser-out contest.
Boyd, OSU's Friday night starter for much of the season, has seen his role change during the postseason. He came out of the bullpen eight days ago, less than 48 hours after throwing 123 pitches iagainst Kansas State n the opening game of the Corvallis Super Regional. Boyd then came out of the pen in the eighth inning of Game One of the College World Series. He suffered the loss when he allowed a couple of hits including Wes Rea's 2-out, 2-run double that lifted the Bulldogs to the 5-4 victory.
Boyd hasn't won a game since he beat Stanford May 10. Since that time he's gone 0-2 with one save and three no-decisions. Even so, Beaver fans should feel confident with Boyd heading to the mound. He's a senior who will take the bump understanding that he needs to deliver a great game in order to avoid having to take off his Oregon State jersey for the last time. He'll be extremely motivated.
Boyd is confident in his abilities and has told coach Pat Casey he's willing to work in whatever capacity he's needed while in Omaha. Boyd can start. He can relieve. He can take Pat Casey's clothes to the dry-cleaners. No matter what. He's willing. Let's just hope that Boyd and the Beavers can win another one Wednesday and make a trip to the dry-cleaners a necessity.
If the Beavers can beat Indiana in the 5 pm PT game Wednesday, they'll advance to play Mississippi State, and Oregon State finds itself in the position of having to beat the Bulldogs, not once, but twice. Only with a win over Indiana Wednesday and wins over Mississippi State on Friday and Saturday, will the Beavers qualify for the best-of-three Championship Series which starts Monday night in Omaha.
Be sure to listen for my reports from Omaha on Fox Spots Radio 620, 1190 KEX, and on 105.9, The Brew.
