Oregon State Beavers Final '07 Rank: 1 49-18

While many applauded Oregon State’s first national title two years ago, not even the most optimistic members of Beaver Nation believed OSU would be once again dogpiling on the Rosenblatt infield. Nevertheless, despite the loss of All American hurler Dallas Buck who powered OSU through the ’06 postseason and a gutsy championship game, leaders Mitch Canham and Darwin Barney returned to propel the Beavers to a 49-18 record and their second straight CWS title; the first team to repeat as national champions since LSU in 1996-97. The Beavers will have to overcome big losses once again as Canham and Barney are now being paid to play, but the pitching tandem of Mike Stutes and Jorge Reyes will return and has fans in Corvallis making return reservations for Omaha.

Stutes (12-4, 4.07) anchored the Beavers’ rotation last spring, leading OSU in wins, innings (132.2) and strikeouts (129). He is back at Oregon State for his senior season despite being drafted in the ninth round by the St. Louis Cardinals. Reyes showed outstanding big game potential as he went 7-3 with a 3.10 ERA as a freshman season. The young hurler was also voted Most Outstanding Player at the College World Series. Head coach Pat Casey will look for a pair of new arms on campus to contribute heavily on the hill their first year in orange and black. Pitching for Bellevue CC last year, Brad Reid had a 0.83 ERA and 8-1 record for the Bulldogs. Reid was selected in the 44th round of the 2006 draft by the Cleveland Indians who had hoped to sign him this past summer after his stunning sophomore campaign. Freshman lefty Joshua Osich was a potential high round draft pick until he made it clear he was going to school. Osich was named the Idaho Baseball Player of the Year after he compiled a 1.26 ERA, 7-1 record, and struck out 114 batters in 61 innings while issuing just 18 walks. He also hit .508 with 28 RBI as an outfielder.

Senior first baseman Jordan Lennerton should be OSU biggest run producer in ’08 after tying for the team lead with 10 homeruns. He hit the horsehide at a nifty .313 clip and led the team in slugging percentage at .539. Chris Hopkins, OSU’s centerfielder and leadoff man, will return to campus after being drafted in the 44th round by the Kansas City Royals. He’ll be looking to raise his .266 batting average and draft status while also increasing his team leading 17 stolen bases. Another sparkplug back for the Beavers will be sophomore second baseman Joey Wong who supplied the Oregon State with solid, fundamental hitting (.288) and fielding. One mroe veteran who will be relied upon to factor in the Beaver’s continued winning ways is outfielder John Wallace. Wallace, a junior, batted .282 and saw action in 51 games, earning a spot in the starting lineup in 27 contests. A freshman who could contribute big in ’08 is middle infielder Garret Nash. Nash was selected in the fourth round of last June’s MLB amateur draft by the Texas Rangers, but decided to forgo a chance to play professional baseball in order to attend OSU and help the Beavers win their third straight College World Series.