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LOD College World Series Preview: Oregon State Beavers

The College World Series is set. After a regional round that saw many teams play in monsoon like weather and a Super Regional that saw six of its eight series go to a game three, we finally have our final eight teams standing. Let’s take a look at the schools that have punched their ticket to Omaha. Our second team on the list is the Oregon State Beavers. 

Oregon State Beavers (49-10-1), Number Three National Seed, Seventh CWS Appearance, Two CWS Titles (2006 & 2007)

It was another outstanding regular season for the Beavers, something they are getting used to in Corvallis, as the program posted the best overall record in the Pac 12. Oregon State blew through the competition to start the season as they opened up 13-0 and won 20 of their first 21 games. The Beavers only lost two series all season, one of which was to Utah who finished dead last in the conference. Despite that hiccup, the losses were few and far between.

2018 marks the sixth visit to the College World Series and 12th NCAA appearance for the Beavers under head coach Pat Casey. The program has turned into a national powerhouse under Casey’s watch as he and the Beavers look to claim their third national title. They certainly have the squad to contend for it.

Although I wouldn’t say the Corvallis regional was the toughest, Oregon State did breeze through it while outscoring their opponents 35-4 in three straight wins. Two of those victories came in blowouts over the region’s second seed, LSU. After sweeping the regionals, the Beavers followed suit and swept Minnesota in the super regionals.

Long story short, OSU has been dominating since the NCAA tournament began and many have pegged them as the favorite to take home the whole thing.

Top Position Player

Middle infielder Nick Madrigal went fourth overall to the Chicago White Sox, but right now his sites are set on Omaha. Unfortunately the stud infielder missed some time this season with a hand injury, but it didn’t hurt his production as he posted career highs in all three slash line categories while hitting three homers, just one less than his 2017 season. Slick with the glove, Madrigal can take a hit away in the field just as easy as he can get one at the plate.

Top Pitcher

What Luke Heimlich did on the mound last season was borderline superhuman. The left hander out of Puyallup, Washington was virtually unhittable as he allowed just 10 runs over 118.1 innings in 2017. What he did in 2018 wasn’t too shabby either. Heimlich started 17 games for the Beavers this year and posted a 2.32 ERA with 151 strikeouts to just 25 walks over 120.1 innigs. 151 STRIKEOUTS! Heimlich has shown up against tough competition and will be the go to guy in the CWS. Oh, by the way, he was also named the national pitcher of the year.

First CWS Game: Saturday June 16th vs North Carolina

Featured Image Courtesy of: Dave Nishitani – Oregon State Athletics

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