Beavers know the stakes in Omaha.

Byline: Steve Mims The Register-Guard

OMAHA, Neb. - When Oregon State clinched its first trip to the College World Series in 53 years, coach Pat Casey admitted he knew little about what was ahead.

"I tell you what, I don't know anything about Omaha yet," Casey said after OSU defeated USC to win the NCAA Super Regional in Corvallis on Monday. "I've got a buddy there that I played ball with so I know I've got one friend in Omaha. I hope a lot of people here go."

The Beavers, seeded eighth nationally entering the NCAA Tournament, open play at 11 a.m. today against top-seeded Tulane in the eight-team, double-elimination tournament at Rosenblatt Stadium.

"That doesn't bother us," junior center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury said. "Everyone said we couldn't do this from the beginning, so we might as well go down there and face off with the best team in the country."

After a 31-22 record last season that included a 10-14 conference record, the Beavers weren't expected to contend for a national title this season. However, the Beavers put up a sign that read "The Road To Omaha Starts Here" when they began offseason workouts.

"To start off the season, we knew we had a good ballclub but we weren't sure how good," Ellsbury said. "It has been a team effort the whole year, and it is nice to reap the benefits of hard work throughout the whole fall and winter workouts when we stayed here and lifted. It all paid off."

OSU's first trip to the College World Series since 1952 continues a dream season for the Beavers (46-10), who won the Pac-10 championship at 19-5 and then went 3-0 in a four-team regional before taking two of three games from USC in the Super Regional.

"We got here in September sometime and we've been working ever since, so I'm extremely proud of our guys and I feel like a very fortunate man," Casey said.

In the midst of Monday's celebration, a couple of players paraded that "Road to Omaha" sign around Goss Stadium at Coleman Field as 2,000 or so OSU fans chanted "Omaha, Omaha."

"I guess this is a coach's dream as far as the sporting world of college baseball," Casey said. "To have so many people here to witness that and to see those guys hold up the sign that says `The Road To Omaha Starts Here' is awesome for me."

The road to Omaha started on the field on Feb. 3 when OSU defeated New Mexico State 19-0. OSU got off to a 17-3 start and the nation started to take notice as Baseball America dubbed the Beavers the surprise team in the country during its midseason report.

OSU went on to win a unified Pac-10 title for the first time since 1952 and set a school record for wins.

"We knew if we all played well, we had a shot," left fielder Tyler Graham said. "We started out the year well and stayed on track and stayed consistent all year. As the year progressed, a lot of kids stepped up and everyone played well throughout the year."

Ellsbury, a first-round pick of the Boston Red Sox, is hitting .413 and set the school record for hits in a season (97) and career (234).

First baseman Andy Jenkins, an 11th-round pick by the Florida Marlins, hit for the cycle in Monday's 10-8 win over USC and raised his average to .395 while belting his sixth home run. The only senior who is an everyday starter has become the leader of the team.

"I think that was one of the things going around our club all year long is who is the leader and who tells you what you're going to do when the head coach isn't there and (Jenkins) is the guy," Casey said. "I named him `The Chauffeur' early in the year because he was driving everyone home, and I will take him with me when I go to war."

Added Graham: "Jenkins played well the whole season and he was sort of our catalyst. He kept us all up and kept us together."

The Beavers have eight regulars batting better than .300, including sophomore catcher Mitch Canham, who bats .342 with a team-high eight home runs. Outfielder Cole Gillespie and third baseman Shea McFeely are batting .333 and .320, respectively, and Graham is at .314.

Shortstop was a question mark entering the season but Darwin Barney was named Pac-10 freshman of the year after batting .306 with 44 RBIs.

"We've got a freshman shortstop playing like a senior," Casey said.

Barney, who helped Southridge win the Class 4A title as a sophomore in 2002, is not surprised by a whirlwind freshman season.

"The World Series is something you think about all the time, and everyone will say it is a dream," Barney said. "I watched it on TV this time of the year. I knew we had the talent; that's one of the reasons all of us decided to come here."

Dallas Buck is the likely starter on the mound today for OSU after compiling a 12-1 record and a 2.12 ERA. Jonah Nickerson is 9-1 with a 2.10 ERA, and relievers Kevin Gunderson, Nate Fogle and Eddie Kunz have given Casey some solid options in the bullpen.

The Beavers are ranked second in this week's Collegiate Baseball poll behind Tulane (55-10).

The Green Wave, whose only previous College World Series appearance was in 2001, feature two of the best all-around players in the nation in juniors Brian Bogusevic and Micah Owings.

Bogusevic, a 6-foot-3 left-hander, is hitting .322 and leads the team on the mound with a 13-2 record and 3.14 ERA. A first-round pick of the Houston Astros, he is the likely starter against the Beavers.

Owings, a 6-5 righty, is hitting .354 with 18 home runs and is 11-4 with a 3.38 ERA. He was picked in the third round by the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Shortstop Tommy Manzella, a third-round pick by Houston, is batting .356 with eight home runs and 62 RBIs, and center fielder Nathan Southard is batting .355 with 11 homers and 63 RBIs. Third baseman Brad Emaus has 13 homers and 56 RBIs to go with a .332 average.

Tulane lost the first game of its Super Regional against Rice, but rallied to win the final two games, including a 9-6 victory in the third game on Monday.

Today's winner will face either No. 4 Baylor or No. 5 Texas at 4 p.m. Monday. The losers of the two games will meet at 11 a.m. Monday.

The Beavers are seeking their first College World Series victory after going two-and-out during their only previous appearance.

"We're ready," Barney said. "I definitely think we're not going to stop now. We're going to have a good showing and we're not going to be satisfied with just making it there."

OREGON STATE VS. TULANE

11 a.m. today at Omaha, Neb. TV: ESPN2. Radio: KKNX-AM (840).

OSU AT A GLANCE

Probable starting lineup and top pitchers for Oregon State at the College World Series

Position Avg. HR RBI SB

Jacoby Ellsbury CF .413 6 47 25

Tyler Graham LF .314 0 24 21

Darwin Barney SS .306 2 44 6

Andy Jenkins 1B .395 6 55 3

Mitch Canham C .342 8 39 4

Shea McFeely 3B .320 5 40 4

Cole Gillespie RF .333 0 18 2

Mike Lissman DH .280 1 30 5

Ryan Gipson 2B .304 1 21 8

Position IP W-L Sv ERA

Dallas Buck SP 123 1/3 12-1 1 2.12

Jonah Nickerson SP 103 9-1 0 2.10

Anton Maxwell SP 95 2/3 11-1 0 4.33

Kevin Gunderson RP 61 6-3 14 2.80

Nate Fogle RP 44 1/3 4-2 0 3.05