CWS: Okay, I picked OSU. So sue me.

By Eric Sorenson - June 23, 2006

I'm sorry people, I couldn't resist a feel-good story. When the Gametracker Live show came on CSTV tonight, Adam Zucker and Greg Amsinger came on and asked me "So Eric, who is your pick to win it all?"

I hesitated for a split second, then another split second, then out came the words... "Oregon State."

My reasoning had more to do with a team that was hot than a team that was favored to win. I compared it to the 2004 Cal State Fullerton Titans. That team came into the NCAA tournament as a No. 2 seed and wasn't even close to the most talented team in the field of 64. But like OSU this year, the Titans of '04 got on a hot streak - an incredible hot streak.

So get this, the Beavers are THAT team now. They're hitting well enough. They're playing defense well enough. And good God! They are definitely pitching well enough. And just like Fullerton in '04, they're underappreciated.

So, this is no slight to the Tar Heels, I dig that team. They're bursting at the seams with talent and ability. But I just decided to go with the hot hand. That's the team from the rainy northwest. After what I've seen the last few days, I'm not willing to bet against these Beavers. It's manifest destiny, college baseball style.

I may not be right in the end. But as of this moment, I'm convinced.