Preview: Air Force at Oregon State

CORVALLIS, Ore. (Interstat) — The Oregon State Beavers, owners of one of the nation’s best records, host the Air Force Falcons on Thursday night at Goss Stadium at Coleman Field in the opener of a three-game nonconference series.

Oregon State (41-11) enters with a dominant season mark, while Air Force (24-24) visits at .500 on the season. The Beavers are coming off a 8-3 win Tuesday against Portland, when right-hander Connor Mendez threw 6 1/3 innings of two-hit ball, allowing one run with three strikeouts. Mendez is a player to watch for Oregon State. In his last two outings, he has a 1.93 ERA across 9 1/3 innings, striking out four.

Air Force counters after a wild 10-9 victory Sunday against Washington State, snapping a two-game skid. Left fielder Luke Elmore led the Falcons in that win, going 2 for 4 with a home run and four RBIs. Elmore is a key offensive threat for Air Force. Over his last 10 games, he is hitting .321 (9 for 28) with two homers and eight RBIs, though he has been inconsistent, going hitless in four of those contests. Patrick Davidson earned the win in relief Sunday, allowing one run over 2 2/3 innings.

The Beavers have won seven of their last eight games overall, including a sweep at Long Beach State last weekend. Oregon State’s pitching staff has been a strength, holding opponents to three runs or fewer in seven of those eight contests. Second baseman Wyatt Hanoian also homered for Air Force on Sunday.

The Interstat game simulator projects a 7-6 Oregon State victory. First pitch is set for 5:35 p.m. PT. Following Thursday’s game, the teams meet again Friday and Saturday in Corvallis.