SB Preview: Oregon Hosts Arizona in Hopes to Better Their Playoff Position

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By Maddie Lang

EUGENE, OR – After their sweep of Arizona State last weekend, Oregon Softball (28-11, 8-7) returns home with the mission of another successful weekend. The Ducks were meant to face up against Portland State for a midweek doubleheader, however, after the cancellation of both games, the Ducks now prepare to face off against the University of Arizona Wildcats. The first of the three game series starts Friday night. Oregon is currently sitting at number 19 in the NCAA RPI ranking and number five in Pac-12 ranking. If they are able to maintain this position, they will have a good chance at hosting in the Regional round of playoffs as well as making an impression in the Pac-12 Tournament in May. 

Oregon

The offensive performances from infielders Tehya Bird and Alyssa Daniell were key in Oregon’s success last weekend. They both had two RBIs on three at bats during the Ducks’ Sunday night face off. Oregon’s hitting is led by Allee Bunker averaging .391 and leading the team with the most hits, 50, and RBIs, 40. Bunker had a rather quiet weekend, however, with this being her second to last series in Jane Sanders Stadium, we should see another impressive performance from her. 

Oregon’s pitching, led by Stevie Hansen, Morgan Scott, and Raegan Breedlove, has been nothing but outstanding this season. The trios ERAs sit at 2.22, 2.56, and 3.00. In just her second season as a Duck, Hansen is making a name for herself as one of the top pitchers in the conference. With a total of 110.1 innings pitched and a total of 100 strikeouts on the season, Hansen will have to be a force for the Ducks as they take on a high averaging Wildcat team.

Arizona

The Wildcats are currently unranked with a 25-18 overall record and 3-12 conference record. They have gone 0-3 in their last two series against the top two teams in the conference, Stanford and UCLA. There is no doubt that the Wildcats will be putting out all of their stops this weekend in hopes to turn their season around. 

Arizona’s offense is led by freshman Olivia DeNardo. In just her first season as a Wildcat, she averages .430 with 52 hits and 28 RBIs on the season. As a senior in high school she was ranked the #7 recruit in the nation by Extra Inning Softball. Along with DeNardo, Allie Skaggs is another force the Ducks will have to shut out. Skaggs averages .368 and leads the team with a total of 57 RBIs this season.

Arizona’s pitching has relied heavily on Devyn Netz. The junior has pitched a total of 123.1 innings with an ERA of 3.29. Netz has a total of 99 strikeouts this season, and we will most likely see a lot of mound time from her this weekend. Right behind her is Aissa Silva with an ERA of 4.17. The freshman was the Northern California Pitcher of the Year in 2022. Silva has just 30 strikeouts on the season having pitched just 47 innings. 

Final Overview

I think it will be a fairly easy weekend for the Ducks who have won eight of their last nine games. I think they will keep riding the high of their season and end the weekend with a sweep of the Wildcats. Opening pitch is set for Friday night at 7:30 PM PST.