Dax Whitney dominates as Oregon State takes the Frisco Classic Opener

FRISCO, TX — The Frisco Classic literally never disappoints, offering premier college baseball. That was the case Friday for game one of the Frisco Classic, which pitted Oregon State University against the University of Houston.

For starters, the weather was perfect for baseball. It was 78 degrees and the sun was shining, and to top it all off, the pitching was top notch. It featured Dax Whitney, one of the most exciting pitchers in college ball. He is actually the current top-ranked college prospect for 2027.

While Whitney couldn’t quite match his 17-strikeout performance from his previous outing, he was still…dominant.

The first was the only inning where Whitney got into trouble, but he didn’t let it get him down. McClane Helton led off the game with a double and advanced to third on a wild pitch before Riley Jackson doubled himself to drive him home.

Dax struck out with a strikeout.

Houston 1, Oregon State 0

He also struck out the batter in the second inning.

He struck out two in the third.

He struck out two in the fourth.

Oregon State managed to get on the scoreboard in the bottom of the fourth inning.

With two outs in the fourth, Oregon State found the spark when Nyan Hayes was hit by a pitch. Hayes moved up to second, allowing Jacob Krieg to drive him in with a clutch single. Paul Vazquez singled to left, and Adam Haight delivered the final blow with an RBI single down the left field line.

Houston 1, Oregon State 2

The two runs are all Oregon State would need.

I don’t want to completely ignore the pitching Houston got from left-hander Chris Scinta. He also threw a great game. The two points Oregon scored against him were unearned.

The bullpen for Oregon State combined for three scoreless innings, but that didn’t happen without a nerve-wracking moment in the 9th.

Noah Scott allowed just one hit over two innings of relief to maintain the lead, but the ninth inning got interesting. Isaac Yeager struck out the first Houston batter before the bases were loaded (walk, single, walk). Albert Roblez then took over and got an infield fly and a strikeout, recording his third save and giving the Beavers their fourth one-run win of the season.

Dax Whitney’s last line of the game: 6 IP, one run, 3 H, 2 BB, WP, 11 SO, 90 pitches. He achieved victory (his first of the season) and was also named Player of the Game. Its top speed was 101 MPH. I saw it once, but I know he reached 100 several times.

I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a college pitcher pump the gun at 90 miles per hour as consistently as Whitney did today.

Asked to compare the long list of opponents his teams have faced, Houston’s head coach named two of the most dominant names in recent memory. He mentioned Stephen Strasburg and Aaron Nola.

For the season, Whitney now has 34 strikeouts and six walks in 18 IP.

Oregon State will send Ethan Kleinschmit to the mound for Saturday’s game against Alabama.