OSU Notebook

Corvallis Gazette-Times

Four players have signed letters of intent to play baseball next year at Oregon State, coach Pat Casey announced Tuesday.

They are infielder Drew George of Lebanon, a transfer from Lower Columbia (Wash.) Community College; left-handed pitcher Blake Keitzman of Roseburg; right-handed pitcher Tyrell Poggemeyer of Pleasant Hill, and infielder Joey Wong of Salem.

“Players from within the state were a huge part of what we accomplished last season,” Casey said referring to OSU winning the Pacific-10 Conference title and two NCAA regionals to advance to the College World Series. “We’re looking forward to having this group come in and become part of our program.”

George hit .340 with three triples, eight doubles, 25 RBI and 10 steals in 2005 and was all-Northwest second-team and all-region first-team. He was drafted in the 44th round by the Chicago White Sox.

Keitzman was an all-state first-team pitcher, the Southern Oregon Conference Player of the Year, and all-conference as a junior. He was 11-3 with a 1.01 ERA and 127 strikeouts in 82 innings.

Poggemeyer was a first-team all-state utility selection and was 3-1 with a 3.61 ERA and 52 strikeouts in 33 innings. He also hit .448 with four homers and 27 RBI.

A shortstop, Wong played at Sprague and was first-team all-state and all-Valley League. He hit .451, with two homers and 27 RBI, and was selected to the USA Youth National Team. He also played quarterback.

Cross country signs legacy

Hayley Overson of LaGrande has signed a cross country/track letter of intent and will join the team this fall, coach Kelly Sullivan announced Tuesday. Her father is Jeff Oveson, who ranks fourth on OSU’s all-time list for the 400 meter intermediate hurdles.

“It is only fitting that Hayley be the last one to sign, since she has the greatest connection to the track and field program here at OSU,” Sullivan said. “Hall-of-fame head coach Berny Wagner has been a big factor in rallying alums and friends of the program, and I know his relationship with Hayley and her mom and dad goes back a long ways.

“Hayley is an outstanding student, has won state titles and been among the top runners in the state all four years. Last fall she had a great race in the Nike BorderClash and showed she can compete with all the best in the Northwest.

“She had a disappointing end to this fall season because of an illness, but early on she was on fire. She brings a passion, work ethic and along with the other three, she too comes from a rural Oregon background and I love that.”

She finished 18th at the state 3A cross country meet after taking third in 2004. She was sixth at the 2004 Nike BorderClash, and won state track titles in the 1,500 and 3,000. Her bests are 4:53 for 1,500 meters, 10:24 for 3,000 meters and 18:18 for a 5,000-meter cross country course.

Johnson gets Pac-10 honor

OSU senior forward Ryan Johnson was selected as the Pacific-10 Conference men’s soccer Player of the Week for his two-goal, two-assist performance in a 4-1 victory at Washington on Sunday. His six points set a new career high.

Johnson led the Beavers with six goals, nine assists, 21 points and 47 shots. He ends his career as OSU’s all-time assist leader (30); he was third in points (66) and tied for seventh in goals (18).