By Liam Baker
The #20 Oregon Ducks (25-11) are in the midst of a six-game win streak and five-game homestand when they take on the Washington State Cougars (14-21) for a three-game set. The Ducks will look to continue their offensive dominance that has them leading the Pac-12 in batting average, home runs, home runs/per game, and slugging percentage. The Ducks are coming off a 5-4 midweek victory over Portland State. While it was a bullpen game for the Ducks, Rio Britton picked up the win after throwing 1.1 perfect innings while striking out three. Anthony Hall continued his hot streak from the plate going 3-4 with two RBIs and two runs scored.
Speaking of Anthony Hall, he has been lighting up the box score recently. Over the last eight games, he is batting .375 with 10 RBIs and four home runs. Tanner Smith has also been one of the Ducks’ hottest hitters. Over the same span, he is batting .400 with six RBIs and seven runs scored. Drew Cowley made his return Tuesday against Portland State, and while he struggled, going 0-3 with a strikeout, he is the Ducks’ best hitter and should make an already lethal Ducks offense even more dangerous.
Potential Starting Pitchers – Oregon
Game One: RJ Gordon
Gordon will be making his sixth start of the season Friday after making the move from the bullpen to the starting rotation. He has a 5.79 ERA and picked up his second win of the season Thursday after pitching five innings of three-run ball against Washington. Gordon is a pitch-to-contact pitcher and only gets 6.5Ks per nine innings.
Game Two: Isaac Ayon
Ayon is Oregon’s only starter that started the season in the rotation. The sophomore picked up a no-decision on Friday against Washington, giving up five hits and five runs over four innings of work. Ayon is 2-1 with a 5.63 ERA and will look to put together a better start against a Washington State team lacking in offensive firepower.
Game Three: Jace Stoffal
Stoffal missed the first seven weeks of the season with an injury but has stepped into a starting role since making his return. Stoffal will be making his third start of the season in what will be more of a bullpen game for the Ducks. Against Washington, Stoffal pitched three innings while giving up two hits and one run.
Potential Starting Pitchers – Washington State
Game One: Cole McMillan
McMillian, a sophomore transfer from San Jacinto North Junior College in Texas, had his best start of the season last weekend against California and will look to build on that this weekend. McMillian gave up one hit and one run while striking out five over five innings. Despite his performance against the Golden Bears, McMillian has struggled for the majority of the season. He boasts a 3-3 record and a 6.60 ERA.
Game Two: Grant Taylor
Taylor, a sophomore from Murrieta, California, has been the Cougars’ best pitcher all season. He struggled last time out against California, allowing four runs in four innings while walking six, but has a 3.91 ERA this season. The start against Cal was rather an anomaly as it was just his second start allowing more than 3 earned runs this season.
Game Three: McKabe Contrell
Contrell, a junior transfer from Spokane Falls Community College, has been Manager Brian Green’s go-to Sunday starter all season. Contrell gave up one run and struck out four over four innings against California last weekend but has a 6.69 ERA this season. Contrell has done a good job of keeping the ball in the ballpark this season. He has only allowed three home runs, all of which came in the same game.
Projected Starting Lineup – Oregon
1. LF Tanner Smith .323/.535/.925
2. 3B Drew Cowley .438/.771/1.321
3. DH Brennan Milone .322/.541/.930
4. 1B Jacob Walsh .318/.500/.879
5. SS Josh Kasevich .317/.437/.837
6. RF Anthony Hall .318/.643/1.061
7. C Josiah Cromwick .289/.494/.866
8. CF Colby Shade .344/.523/.965
9. 2B Gavin Grant .301/.495/.914
Projected Starting Lineup – Washington State
1. SS Kodie Kolden .229/.295/.623
2. 3B Elijah Hainline .269/.344/.728
3. 1B Jack Smith .355/.427/.848
4. DH Jacob McKeon .289/.422/.852
5. RF Collin Montez .176/.284/.625
6. LF Justin Van De Brake .263/.364/.677
7. 2B Kyle Russell .248/.288/.635
8. C Jake Meyer .230/.392/.710
9. CF Kyler Stancato .149/.170/.366
Oregon’s Keys to Victory
- Win the early innings
- Hall and Smith stay hot
- Get Drew Cowley going
- Quality starts from Gordon and Ayon
Final Thoughts
Oregon should be able to handle Washington State at home. Washington State is last in the Pac-12 in batting average and second to last in ERA. (Oregon is first and sixth respectively) Expect some offensive fireworks from the home team and their win streak to continue.
Series Prediction
Oregon sweeps Washington State.