June 22, 2007

Beavers, Tar Heels set for CWS finals rematch
Oregon State, North Carolina meet in the finals for the second consecutive year.
The Associated Press

OMAHA, Neb.The message was simple. The task was much more difficult.

"Win two of three, or we're going home," Oregon State coach Pat Casey told his players on the eve of their final regular-season series at UCLA.

The Beavers won two of the three games — and they're still playing a month later. The defending national champions have won 10 of their past 11 entering their College World Series finals rematch against North Carolina.

Games 1 and 2 in the best-of-3 series are Saturday and Sunday, with a third game Monday, if necessary. It's the second time in the College World Series' 61-year history that the same teams have reached the finals in consecutive years. Arizona State and USC met in 1972 and 1973.

Casey said Friday he doubts the Beavers (47-18) would have made the 64-team national tournament if they had lost two or three against UCLA, the second-place team in the Pac-10. The Beavers tied for sixth, but they impressed the selection committee with a 28-3 record against a strong nonconference schedule.

"We've battled through some hard times," catcher Mitch Canham said. "We deserve to be right here, right now."

Oregon State won a regional at Virginia, took two from Michigan at home in the super regional and beat Cal State Fullerton, Arizona State and UC Irvine at the CWS.

North Carolina (57-14) swept through its regional and won a three-game super regional over South Carolina, both at home. The Tar Heels split their first two games in Omaha, then had to beat Louisville once and Rice twice to get back to the finals.

The Tar Heels' performance in the face of elimination was reminiscent, though not as dramatic, as Oregon State's run to the 2006 championship. The Beavers came back to win it all after losing, 11-1, to Miami in the CWS opener.

North Carolina had to win three games in three days after a 14-4 loss to Rice.

Oregon State, meanwhile, played three games the first seven days of the CWS.

North Carolina coach Mike Fox said he doesn't know how the longer path to the finals will affect his players.

"There is something to be said for playing every day," he said. "Rest is important, as well. Just the fact we're here is OK at this point."

Two freshmen have drawn starts in the opener. North Carolina will send Alex White (6-6) against OSU's Jorge Reyes (6-3).

Game 2's pitching matchup has UNC's Luke Putkonen (8-1) against Mike Stutes (11-4).