A look at Oregon State baseball's 10 key matchups this season
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Oregon State begins its baseball season at 11 a.m. Friday against New Mexico at a tournament in Surprise, Arizona.
The Beavers’ home opener is at 5:35 p.m. Feb. 24 against Coppin State.
Oregon State is ranked No. 18 in the Baseball America preseason poll.
Oregon State head coach Mitch Canham said the team has players who are eager to to fill open spots on the team after losing players from last season.
“Guys that didn’t play a ton last year that really want to get out there and go,” Canham, who has been the Beavers’ head coach since 2020, said during a press conference last month. “And some incoming guys — some freshmen and some transfers — everybody wants to be the No. 1 guy at their spot.”
Here is a look at the key series and individual games for Oregon State this season.
1: vs. UC-Santa Barbara Gauchos
When: Feb. 20
Where: Surprise Stadium, Surprise, Arizona
Why it’s a big matchup: UC-Santa Barbara went 44-14 last season, won the Big West Conference title and made it to the Stanford Regional in the NCAA tournament. It’s a big early game in the season-opening tournament for the Beavers.
2: vs. Coppin State Eagles
When: Feb. 24-26
Where: Goss Stadium, Corvallis
Why it’s a big matchup: Although Coppin State struggled to a 24-30 record last season, they won the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference tournament to advance to the Greenville Regional in the NCAA tournament. They will provide a decent challenge to Oregon State in the Beavers’ home-opening series.
3: vs. San Diego Toreros
When: March 7
Where: Goss Stadium, Corvallis
Why it’s a big matchup: San Diego went 37-20 last season, won the West Coast Conference tournament and made it to the Corvallis Regional in the NCAA tournament. The Beavers beat them 12-3 in the regional. This will be a strong matchup for Oregon State ahead of Pac-12 Conference play.
4: at No. 4 Stanford Cardinal
When: March 17-19
Where: Sunken Diamond, Stanford, California
Why it’s a big matchup: The Cardinal went 47-18 last season, won the Pac-12 tournament, won the Stanford Regional, won the NCAA Super Regional and advanced to the NCAA College World Series, where they went 0-2. This series will be a rematch of the Pac-12 tournament title game. This series could go a long way in determining whether the Beavers can contend for the Pac-12 title or host a regional in the NCAA tournament.
5: at No. 20 Oregon Ducks
When: April 6-8
Where: PK Park, Eugene
Why it’s a big matchup: Oregon went 36-25 last season, including 18-12 in the Pac-12. They reached the Louisville Regional in the NCAA tournament, where their season ended. The Ducks are ranked in the preseason poll, and this series could be huge for both teams in their pursuit of the tournament. Plus, of course, bragging rights.
6: vs. Gonzaga Bulldogs
When: April 10-11
Where: Goss Stadium, Corvallis
Why it’s a big matchup: Gonzaga went 37-19 last season and advanced to the Blacksburg Regional in the NCAA tournament, where their season ended. It should be a competitive, short two-game series midway through the season for the Beavers.
7: at Grand Canyon Antelopes
When: April 24
Where: Brazell Field at GCU Ballpark, Phoenix, Arizona
Why it’s a big matchup: Grand Canyon went 41-21 last season and made it to the Stillwater Regional in the NCAA tournament. This should be a tough road game as the Beavers enter the stretch run of the season.
8: vs. Arizona Wildcats
When: April 28-30
Where: Goss Stadium, Corvallis
Why it’s a big matchup: Arizona went 39-25 last season and reached the Coral Gables Regional in the NCAA tournament, where they went 2-2 and had their season ended by Mississippi. As it is every year, this will be a big series for the Beavers.
9: vs. No. 20 Oregon Ducks
When: May 2
Where: Goss Stadium, Corvallis
Why it’s a big matchup: This will be a tough midweek game for both teams in the heart of the Pac-12 season. If both teams are playing well, this could be a great matchup for the fans, and once again, bragging rights.
10: at No. 12 UCLA Bruins
When: May 12-14
Where: Jackie Robinson Stadium, Los Angeles, California
Why it’s a big matchup: This will be a huge late-season battle for both teams. Oregon State fans remember the epic 25-22, 10-inning win that the Beavers had against UCLA in the Pac-12 tournament last season, followed by the 8-7 Beavers win. This season, the series could be entertaining yet again. UCLA reached the Auburn Regional last season, and is ranked No. 12 this season.
Statesman Journal reporter Pete Martini covers college and high school sports. He can be reached at pmartini@StatesmanJournal.com.
This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: A look at Oregon State baseball's 10 key matchups this season
