by Justin Mills
EUGENE,
Ore – With the No. 16 Oregon Ducks’ (25-10, 10-5 Pac-12) season
more than halfway over all eyes are on the upcoming one-game matchup between
the Ducks and Gonzaga Bulldogs (14-18, 10-2 WCC). With Oregon and Gonzaga
looking to keep momentum going coming off series wins, the matchup promises to
be an exciting one on Tuesday. With each team bringing their highly talented
teams, Duck fans can expect an intense and competitive showdown between these
two.
With both teams in great form as of late, the Ducks going
10-3 in their last 13 games and the Zags having a seven-game win streak, it
will be a real test to see if these pitching staffs can keep the game
manageable for their respective teams. With the Ducks securing yet another
series win making it seven out of the last eight, they’re looking to keep the
consistency going with hopefully a dominant outing from probable starter Michael
Freund while being led by the heavy-hitting bats of Jacob Walsh and Jeffery
Heard in the heart of the order.
With that, the Bulldogs are coming off their best stretch
of the season having won their last seven games, their longest winning streak
of the year, and finding great pitching form as of late, only allowing one
total run in three games this past series. It will be interesting to see who
they put on the mound for this big matchup. The Zags have not found consistent
play from their midweek pitching, having multiple pitchers being thrown out
there with not very consistent results. It will be interesting to see if they
go for a more experienced arm underclassmen to try and fend off the hot Oregon
bats. But the Bulldogs are soaring with momentum right now and will look to
capitalize off that and take down the heavy favorite Ducks on Tuesday.
As the season comes down to the final few series, it will
be an all out brawl in this midweek matchup between these two teams who are
looking to ride momentum to end the season and move up in the AP poll. With Freund
looking to set the Ducks up for another victory on the season, expect some
impressive play out on the field.