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OSU's baseball team kicked off its home season Thursday with a 9-2 win over Evansville. The no. 10 Beavers play the Purple Aces again today at 4 p.m. and on Saturday at 1 p.m.

Despite the cold, Beavers welcome is warm

OSU baseball team played its first home game after being crowned national champions

By: Sean McLean

Posted: 3/9/07

Braving the chilly March temperatures and possible showers, Beaver Nation packed Goss Stadium Thursday night for the first home game for the national champion Oregon State baseball team.

Facing off against non-conference foe Evansville in a three-game series, the Beavers were greeted with loud cheers as they took the field in the first inning. It was an event that many Beaver fans have anticipated since the team defeated North Carolina for the national title at the College World Series last July.

"I couldn't wait till the season began again, it was something that we marked down on the calendar," said Mark Thompson, 33, of Gladstone. "This team has really made unbelievable strides in recent years and deserves the attention they have received."

The game wasn't destined to be under blue skies as it should be. The cold chills breezed through the crowds as fans bundled up and prepared for the worst. The awful weather conditions, however, did not affect the enthusiasm and optimism for the 2,000-plus fans that packed the stadium.

"It is cold, definitely, but you want to be a true fan and try to ignore the weather," Thompson said. "The team has played so well all ready, and to see the first game at home since they won the title is very special."

Just how excited were Beaver fans for the 2007 season to arrive in Corvallis? For starters, fans came out and packed the stadium for a non-conference March series, which had been a rarity until last year.

Then there were the fans that were unfortunately denied entrance when Goss Stadium just could not hold anymore spectators. Student tickets that were being handed out at the start of the game quickly sold out as well.

Looking to go to plan B, fans that could not get in looked for creative ways to watch the game, like standing on the hill resting on the south side of Waldo Hall, or finding a hole in the fence down the first and third base line. The atmosphere was surprisingly similar to the Regionals and Super Regionals the Beavers hosted the last two seasons.

This series a mere two years ago would have only filled about half the seats. Times have quickly changed in Corvallis, and definitely for the better.

The winning ways of the Beavers in 2005 and 2006, with the national championships being by far the biggest factor, has made the opening season series against Evansville, and most likely every other series for the remainder of the year, an attractive ticket.

"Even for games like this, I think it will be hard to get tickets, you will have to buy them way in advance," said Scott Cheney, 48, of Portland.

Upon arrival to the stadium, fans were introduced to the new look of Coleman Field. During the offseason, a new scoreboard was installed that has instant replay, player photos and other features.

The grass was also replaced and a new turf was laid down. A painting of the 2006 national championship team was displayed on the wall near the entrance of the stadium. Additional seats down the first and third base line also remain intact until the stadium is renovated in the future.

All the features of the Goss Stadium makeover were a part of the positive and loud atmosphere, Cheney said.

"It is strange coming in after watching games for so many years and see how different it looks," Cheney said. "It's for the better and I support it for sure."

Possibly the best atmosphere for an opening game in the program's history, the Beavers were greeted with flying colors. If they continue to win, the fans will continue to come.