OSU Awaits College World Series Opener - Oregon State University Athletics

OMAHA, Neb. – Oregon State’s baseball team went through a final practice Friday morning, then began the wait for its opening game of the 2006 College World Series. The Beavers (44-14 overall) open play Saturday at 4 p.m. PDT against Miami (Fla.) (41-22).

The game can be seen on the ESPN cable network, and all of OSU’s games in the CWS can be heard on KEJO-AM (1240) in the Corvallis area, KUIK-AM (1360) in the Portland area, KKNX-AM (840) in the Eugene area, KRNR-AM (1490) in the Roseburg area, KMED-AM (1440) in the Medford area, KICE-AM (940) in the Bend area and KNPT-AM (1310) in the Newport area.

OSU worked out for about 90 minutes at Bellevue East High School on Friday morning. By Friday afternoon, the Beavers were eager to see junior righthander Dallas Buck take his 12-2 record to the mound to throw the first pitch of their opening game (OSU will be the designated home team).

“Coming in Thursday and being able to practice on the field, that’s kind of a relaxing day – you just enjoy the whole atmosphere of it,” said OSU outfielder Cole Gillespie, one of many Beavers who also played in the 2005 CWS. “The opening ceremony is always a fun deal, but you see that fireworks show and you start thinking that you want to play right then. Having to wait today isn’t too bad, but I know we’re all getting anxious to get out there and play Saturday.”

Gillespie was among the Beavers planning to head out to Rosenblatt Stadium on Friday evening to watch Cal State-Fullerton play North Carolina.

“That’s going to be a good game, a good matchup to see those two pitchers going,” Gillespie said of the Titans’ Wes Roemer and the Tar Heels’ Andrew Miller. “We were watching the first game on TV, but I’d like to see that next game live.”

Gillespie also used some of the day to taken in the CWS atmosphere around Omaha.

“I think last year I was a little more taken aback because everything was new to me and the rest of the team,” Gillespie said. “This year, you kind of now what to expect – but nevertheless, it’s exciting.”