When Nyan Hayes transferred to Oregon State last summer, his role was obvious: when the Beavers needed speed, Hayes would deliver.Showing off the speed which compelled Mitch Canham to sign him, Oregon State’s senior centerfielder from New Orleans led the Beavers to a Saturday win over Hawai’i, 8-1. A full box score can be viewed here, and our game recap can be read below.
After an electric entrance by junior lefty Ethan Kleinschmit – striking out four of his first eight batters – the Beavers got on the board in the bottom of the second inning. First, Paul Vasquez singled up the middle. Hayes followed him to the plate; he grounded to Hawai’i shortstop Taylor Takata, and reached base on a fielder’s choice. Thanks to a perfectly placed double down the right field line by Jacob Galloway, Hayes raced home. Oregon State’s next batter, Tyler Inge, singled Galloway across the bases for the inning’s second run.
Kleinschmit’s hot start began to cool in the fourth inning. Troubles emerged when Hawai’i junior third baseman Tate Shimao took a pitch to the body, and then towering 6’6″ freshman designated hitter Mana Lau Kong singled to shallow right field. After an infield fly gifted the Beavers their first out of the frame, Hawai’i skipper Rich Hill asked his runners to double steal. Like a skilled matador, Shimao dodged tags from the orange & black third baseman Vasquez, and suddenly the Rainbow Warriors had two runners in scoring position. Then, Kleinschmit walked the bases loaded, inviting a mound visit from Oregon State pitching coach Rich Dorman. The next man up, Gabe Wright, watched a full count payoff pitch miss high above the zone. When the inning ended, Hawai’i trailed Oregon State 2-1…