BSB PREVIEW: Oregon Returns Home for Home Stretch of Season vs. No. 11 Gonzaga

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By Ryan Oppenheimer

Oregon (31-21) comes off a 15-5 road rout of Arizona State that saw them break their school record for runs scored in a season with 391 with four games still to go. Their remaining four regular season games will be back at PK Park, starting with Tuesday’s date with No. 11 Gonzaga (32-13) at 6 p.m.

The Ducks were able to steal a road win over the Zags back on March 22, in which the deciding factors were an early-inning offensive surge and solid bullpen play to prevent a comeback. Oregon’s record was only half a game behind Gonzaga’s following that win, but they have slipped behind them considerably since then.

Oregon’s offense has been one of the country’s most explosive this season with nearly three times as many home runs as Gonzaga, but their bats will be put to the test against an elite defense that ranks 28th nationally in team ERA and 12th in strikeouts per 9 innings.

Bulldogs catcher Tyler Rando, who just won WCC Player of the Week honors for his late-game heroics in last weekend’s sweep of Santa Clara, is the Zags’ key position player to watch. On Oregon’s side, third baseman Drew Cowley is fresh off a three-hit, four-RBI, three-runs-scored performance Sunday.

Projected Starting Pitcher: Oregon

Dylan Sabia’s last start saw him allow five hits in two innings to UC San Diego last Wednesday, but that might be due to powers out of his control. Lately, it’s seemed as if any and all Oregon starters doomed to fail, while the relievers consistently come in and pick up after the starter’s mess. It’s unclear if Sabia will get the nod over other normal relievers on the staff, but if he does, he will look to break this odd curse. Stone Churby and Kolby Somers should also get some run while usual starters Isaac Ayon and RJ Gordon will likely rest until the weekend series vs. Arizona.

Projected Starting Pitcher: Gonzaga

It’s a complete crapshoot to guess who teams are going to turn to for mid-week bullpen games, but sophomore 6’3 power lefty Bradley Mullan—who threw three scoreless innings and two strikeouts during their previous meeting with the Ducks—seems like as good a choice as any. Without the services of regular weekend starters Gabriel Hughes and Trystan Vrieling, the Bulldogs will rely on the depth of their staff. Expect to see some of Alec Gomez and Cade McGee on the mound as well.

Projected Lineup: Oregon

  • 1. LF Tanner Smith
  • 2. CF Colby Shade
  • 3. DH Brennan Milone
  • 4. 3B Drew Cowley
  • 5. SS Josh Kasevich
  • 6. RF Anthony Hall
  • 7. 1B Jacob Walsh
  • 8. C Josiah Cromwick
  • 9. 2B Gavin Grant

Projected Lineup: Gonzaga

  • 1. CF Enzo Apodaca
  • 2. 2B Savier Pinales
  • 3. C Tyler Rando
  • 4. 3B Cade McGee
  • 5. RF Grayson Sterling
  • 6. 1B Shea Kramer
  • 7. SS Connor Coballes
  • 8. DH Dylan Johnson
  • 9. LF Jack Machtolf

Oregon’s Keys to the Series

  • Attack on offense early and force Gonzaga to pull their starter early
  • Get a good performance from their own starter
  • Swing for the fences and keep up absurd hitting momentum

Final Thoughts

As high-powered as Oregon’s offense has been this season, the team as a whole has faltered at inopportune times, which has ultimately caused them to fall out of the top 25. Gonzaga is likely to host a championship regional and has the defensive chops to handle almost anyone. Oregon triumphed earlier in the year, and while they have a real chance to sweep, I expect the Bulldogs to even the season series.

Prediction

Gonzaga wins 4-3