Five games in five days

Oregon State continues play against Utah Valley State

By: Terry Horstman

Posted: 5/12/08

The dog days of spring continue for Oregon State baseball as they host the Wolverines of Utah Valley State for a two-game series at home starting tonight. This series will mark five home games in the last five days for the Beavers who are looking to sneak their way back into the post season hunt and the top 25 after dropping out last week.

Utah Valley State (14-33-1), doesn't pose much of a threat, but that doesn't change the importance of the series. The Beavers cannot afford a loss to the Wolverines as that would most likely cost them a spot in the NCAA tournament - a spot that is anything but guaranteed for the defending champs.

Taking two games from the Wolverines is no easy task. Last week, after dropping three straight games to No. 9 Oklahoma State, Bryan Smith of the Wolverines tossed 11 strikeouts in a complete game to shock the Cowboys. The gem by Smith ended Oklahoma State's 12 game winning-streak and proved Utah Valley State isn't a club to be handled lightly.

The Wolverines were also able to steal a win from the Gonzaga Bulldogs earlier this year - the same team that knocked the Beavers out of the top 25 with a series sweep at the end of April.

For Utah Valley State, being just another small school on a big school's schedule isn't the only motivation driving the Wolverines. Utah Valley State is saying goodbye to head coach Steve Gardner after 18 seasons with the team. Gardner, who is a beloved member of the Utah Valley State community, announced his retirement last fall. With the season winding down, it's highly unlikely that his players will let their coach go out on a bad note.

If Utah Valley State wants to give Gardner the farewell he deserves, the Wolverines do indeed have their work cut out for them. Oregon State has been getting right back into the thick of things after a disappointing road trip in Washington. The Beavers have won four of their last five and got a beautiful complete-game performance by Mike Stutes in the series opener against conference rival UCLA - finishing it off with a grand slam by Ryan Ortiz.

With the season winding down the Beavers only have two series left after this week's home stand, leaving very little room for error. If the Beavers plan on playing deep into the postseason this year - and more importantly playing at home in the postseason - then they're going to have to go after the Wolverines at Goss this week like it's the Tarheels playing at Rosenblatt.

So don't overlook the Wolverines, Beaver fans. This is a team that would love to embrace the role of spoiling the season for the two-time defending champions.

Terry Horstman, sports writer

sports@dailybarometer.com