BUSHNELL SB PREVIEW: Beacons face off against the Yotes

By Mario Ponce

EUGENE, Ore. – The Bushnell Beacons softball team (6-9) will host the College of Idaho Yotes (9-7) to start their second home series of the season. The Beacons are coming off a tough trip across the border, losing three of their four games in Vancouver against the UBC Thunderbirds.

Bushnell Beacons:
The Beacons started their season by losing six consecutive games before winning their next five before the series in Canada. They played last Saturday and Sunday in doubleheaders and lost both on day one and split the games on day two. The team has struggled for consistency this year, and at this moment has a negative run differential. Their biggest challenge is with runs allowed, as Bushnell has allowed at least one run in all of its games so far. By contrast, the Beacons have been shut out five times, including a 1-0 game against Arizona Christian where the Firestorm scored one run in the first inning and that was the only run of the game on February 3. The team’s best offensive player so far is senior catcher Faith Wayman, who has 13 hits, 12 RBIs and an average of .464 in 28 plate appearances. Their best performer in the mound is senior right-hander Liz Hillier, who has an ERA of 2.08 and a win-loss record of 2-3. Bushnell is currently ranked seventh in the Cascade Collegiate Conference, with a conference record of 1-2.

College of Idaho Yotes:

The Yotes have enjoyed a good season so far. They won their last two games against the Carroll Fighting Saints last weekend, but their Sunday game was canceled. Carroll was the first conference opponent they’ve faced, and they’ve been successful when batting this year. They’ve been shut out only once, also against the Arizona Christian Firestorm on Jan. 30. Their struggle is consistency, as they haven’t been able to get more than two wins in a row. Their offensive leader is sophomore catcher Lolo Walker, who has 15 hits, 17 RBIs and an average of .395 in 38 at-bats. Their best pitcher is senior right-hander Annie Polster, who has an ERA of 2.33 and a win-loss record of 5-3. The College of Idaho is currently ranked third in the CCC with a record of 2-0, the lowest undefeated team in the conference.

Prediction:

The series will be very interesting, and the teams are evenly matched. The Yotes are superior on paper, but the Beacons have been hot before, and they had a hard-fought series against the Thunderbirds. I predict the series will end 2-2, with both teams winning each of the doubleheaders.

SB PREVIEW: Oregon hosts Cal for its first conference series

By Olivia Arciniega

After coming off a successful Jane Sanders tournament, Oregon will host No. 17 California at home to kick off conference play for the season. This will be one of Oregon’s tougher challenges this season. California has been very successful this season and is currently on a four-game winning streak.

Oregon

Oregon hasn’t been having the season that it has hoped for so far, coming into the game with a 12-8 record. Although it isn’t currently ranked nationally, it did receive eight votes this past week. However, it is ranked eighth in the Pac-12, without any conference play. It has also lost some close games to notable teams, such as No. 11 Clemson (lost 2-3) and No. 17 Texas A&M (lost 1-4 and 0-2).

Oregon has still held its own in the Pac-12, despite its ranking. Within the conference, it has walked the fewest batters and is second in the Pac-12 (ranked 10th nationally in fielding percentage at .982), and is second in the Pac-12 for steals (ranked 12th nationally). Outfielder Kai Luschar has continued to lead the team in the statbook. The redshirt junior leads the Pac-12 in hits (33; sixth nationally), steals (15, fourth nationally), and on-base percentage (.485). Stevie Hanson has been putting on a show on the mound, combining with Taylour Spencer to hold Maryland to two runs on five hits.

California

California has been a dominant team this season, coming into this game at 20-2 and on a win streak of four games. Currently, it is ranked No. 17 in the nation, and first in the Pac-12. The Golden Bears have played tough teams, including No. 6 Georgia (lost one game, won one).

Currently, the team is having their best start in nine years. In their most recent game against St. Mary’s, Cal won decisively 7-1, with Lagi Quiroga hitting two home runs and Annabel Teperson controlling the pitch. The last time Cal played a ranked team, it beat No. 6 Georgia 7-1. It was Randi Roelling who threw that complete game. Acacia Anders had a great performance, going 2-for-3 with two RBIs. Overall, however, it was a team effort, which is a constant theme in the Golden Bears’ most recent games. Their well-rounded team is going to make for a good game at Jane Sanders Stadium.

Against Cal, history is on Oregon’s side. Oregon has won the last five consecutive games and has 26 wins in the last 29 matchups. The Ducks will hope to continue this streak this upcoming weekend, beginning March 8.