CWS: Beavs One Win Away

By Doug Kroll - June 24, 2007

Oregon State has never been in this position before. The one that has them only having to win one of two games to win the national title. Of course last season saw them lose the first game, making the final two games must wins.

We'll see how OSU comes out tonight. My guess would be real loose, just like we've seen them in their four wins here in Omaha in 2007.

They'll have their workhorse on the mound tonight as they try and seal the deal, as righty Mike Stutes takes the bump. Stutes is 11-4 with a 4.03 ERA in 21 starts. He's tossed 127 1/3 innings, giving up 104 hits, 57 walks, and striking out 124. He's definitely a power guy. Opponents are hitting .224 against him.

For the Tar Heels, they'll also throw a righty as Luke Putkonen gets handed the ball. Putkonen is 8-1 with a 4.44 ERA in 16 starts. He's tossed 81 innings, given up 87 hits, while walking only 22, and striking out 59. Opponents are hitting .272 against him.

The redshirt sophomore was excellent in his first CWS appearance of '07, giving up only three hits and one run while striking out seven in seven innings against a very strong and hot Louisville batting order.

Meanwhile Stutes pitched very well in the win against Arizona State, as he went six innings, allowing four runs, but seemed to tire in the seventh. As always, a win's a win.

Another gorgeous day here in Omaha, as North Carolina will be tonight's home team, and with that, they are wearing their home whites with cut off sleeves that expose their Carolina blue t-shirts underneath with white caps and blue bills.

The Beavers will hope to dogpile for the first time since last year, in their road grey's with dark pinstripes and orange numbers and white OSU lettering ont he front. They were black hats with them. Personally, not a fan.

The crowd is settling in, as another large crowd is expected. Lots of orange looking for the first back-to-back champion in baseball since 1996/1997 when LSU won the title.

The wind is nearly calm for the first time in the last two weeks, and the temperature is in the upper '80's. We're set for baseball from Rosenblatt, as the team's lineup for their pregame introductions, as always, enjoy the game, and follow right along with Gametracker.

We'll either be back with a championship press conference, or a happy UNC bunch after this one.