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With a majority of the Beavers' offense departing from last year's national title squad, Jason Ogata has shown versatility in the field while swinging a big bat as of late for OSU.

In-state talent returns home

Following footsteps of other Oregonians, former Player of the Year Jason Ogata decides to leave shaky LSU program to transfer to OSU

By: Casey Grogan

Posted: 5/16/07

It begins as your typical story of an athlete coming home after a year out of state - until you add a hurricane, and then the story becomes unique.

For many high school seniors in Oregon, it is a goal to not only go to college, but to go to college out of state. For Beaver utility player Jason Ogata, it was also important to go somewhere sunny. When traditionally strong Lousiana State came knocking, Ogata was ready to answer.

"I wanted to get away from the Northwest," Ogata said. "I liked the weather and being down south. I took my recruiting trip, and it is a lot different atmosphere being down there. I knew about LSU's program having won like five national championships in 10 years and they have 6,000 fans a game."

Things looked good for Ogata as he fought through the fall to earn his stripes with the Tigers. On Aug. 28, 2005, however, disaster struck as Hurricane Katrina snuck up on the Gulf Coast. Katrina was already a force on the Gulf Coast, but on the 28th it was identified as a Class 5 storm as it began to ravage New Orleans.

While Katrina destroyed New Orleans, LSU's Baton Rouge campus was destroyed emotionally. Classmates and teammates of Ogata began to wonder if their families were safe. The Oregonian, not knowing hurricane procedures, looked to his roommates during the disaster.

"I had never experienced a hurricane, being from the Northwest," Ogata said. "My roommates from Florida said, 'We have to get out of here,' so we drove to Texas. Baton Rouge was nothing like New Orleans. I went to New Orleans and it was horrible. It was something I've never experienced in my entire life. I learned anything can happen. Teammate's families had nowhere to go."

It became apparent that the damage to Baton Rouge would allow Ogata and other Lousiana State students to return to school, while students from Tulane and schools in the New Orleans area were displaced due to the hurricane damage.

With the success of the New Orleans Saints, it appeared sports would bring the people of Lousiana together. And with the success of the professional teams, the Tigers were able to quietly start up their year. During fall scrimmages, the quiet infielder from Beaverton earned himself a starting spot having hit .302 with three doubles and three triples in inter-squad action.

The sweet-swinging Oregonian and his team hit a snag during the season, and the Tigers failed to live up to expectations. LSU failed to make the NCAA tournament with a 13-17 record in conference play, and Ogata struggled to hit SEC pitching as his average ended at .255 with 14 hits. With the tournament miss came the firing of head coach Smoke Laval, who had recruited Ogata.

"Things just did not go as planned," Ogata said. "The program was changing, and I felt it was for the worse, so I decided to leave."

After receiving his release from scholarship, Ogata, who was the 2005 Oregon 4A Player of the Year, followed in the footsteps of the previous winner, pitcher Mike Stutes, who had transferred back home to Oregon State. Like Stutes, who had been in constant contact with OSU players before his return, Ogata had a familiar voice chirping in his ear. Ogata was constantly reminded of Oregon State by another Beaverton area kid, shortstop Darwin Barney. Barney's persistence helped bring the former Westview star home.

"Me and Dar have always kept in touch," Ogata said. "We have played ball since we were little, and he wanted me to come here from the beginning so we could play together. We talked a lot, and he was a big part."

Arriving in the fall with holes in the team, it became a question as to who would join Barney in the Beaver infield. Would Ogata or freshman Joey Wong take second? Who would replace Bill Rowe and Shea McFeely at the corners? After fall practices it became apparent that regardless of position, Ogata's bat needed to be in the lineup.

"I love hitting," Ogata said. "Wherever they want me, I will play there."

With only two weeks remaining in the season, Ogata is still without a set position, having played six of the nine positions on the field. He is letting his bat do the talking, however, as he is quietly taking the Pac-10 by storm. In the past few weeks, Ogata has brought his average up to .319 and added three home runs. At the plate, Ogata is a quiet hitter with great strike zone judgment.

"I just try to be a leader on the field," Ogata said. "I am not a loud guy, but I play hard and have confidence. Hopefully that rubs off on my teammates."

Having played all over the field, Ogata is showing his commitment to his new team at the plate and wherever coach Casey decides to place him on the field.

"I am a hometown guy that wants to win ball games, and that is why I am here," Ogata said.