By Liam Baker

EUGENE, Ore. — The Ducks (20-10) have been a different team since Pac-12 play began but now face one of their toughest tests of the season as they travel to Los Angeles to take on the UCLA Bruins (18-8). The Ducks struggled to build momentum throughout non-conference play but seemed to have turned a corner since. Oregon has won each of its first three Pac-12 series and after a 12-4 win over Cal State Fullerton on Tuesday, the team has now won five games in a row, its longest win streak of the season. But, those series wins have come against the three teams at the bottom of the Pac-12 standings and the Ducks now take on a Bruins team that has had their number in recent years. The Bruins have won the last five series between the schools including eight of the last nine matchups. But, the Ducks are playing their best ball at the moment; let’s break down both teams and see how the Ducks matchup against the Bruins

Oregon Ducks (#21 USA Softball/#24 NFCA)
The Ducks pitching has been the backbone of their team this season. The trio of Morgan Scott, Stevie Hansen and Taylour Spencer have been stellar this season and all have ERAs below three. The Ducks’ best pitcher has been Morgan Scott who earned Pac-12 Pitcher of the Week honors for her performance against Arizona State. She pitched a complete game in the series opener, picked up a save in game two and didn’t give up an earned run all weekend. The Ducks staff has done a great limiting the free passes this season, issuing just 44 walks this season—the fewest in the Pac-12. The key to success for the Ducks has been holding opponents to three or fewer earned runs per game. When Oregon does that they are 18-5. The Ducks’ pitching prowess will be put to the test this weekend against a strong Bruins lineup that is fourth in the Pac-12 in batting average (.317). The Ducks also boast a strong lineup albeit it has taken them some time to find their groove. The Ducks scored two or fewer runs seven times in non-conference play but have really turned it around as of late. Kai Luschar and Ariel Carlson have become a strong one-two punch at the top of the lineup. Luschar is batting .427 and leads the Pac-12 in steals (15). Carlson is tied for the Pac-12 lead in RBIs (36) and is also top five in home runs and slugging percentage.

UCLA Bruins (#15 USA Softball/#14 NFCA)
The Bruins have faced a gauntlet of a schedule this season and things don’t let up as they face another ranked opponent in the Ducks. The Bruins have played ten games against teams currently ranked in the top 10 in the NFCA poll and have not lost to an unranked team. The Bruins are coming off a series loss to the #8 Washington Huskies but shut out the Huskies 6-0 in the finale thanks to a complete game by freshman Kaitlyn Terry. It was the fourth complete game shutout of the season for Terry who owns a 9-0 record and 2.07 ERA on the season which is third in the Pac-12. Her performance against the Huskies earned her her second Pac-12 Freshman of the Week award in as many weeks. Terry is half of the two-headed monster that makes up the Bruins’ rotation. Taylor Tinsley is the other half and she holds a 2.60 ERA in 78 innings this season. The Ducks are unlikely to see anyone besides that duo in the circle this weekend as the other pitchers on the Bruins roster have combined for only 20.2 innings of work. Offensively, the key for the Bruins is scoring first. When the Bruins do so they are 10-1. Leading the charge is Maya Brady who leads the Bruins in batting average (.405), RBIs (33), runs scored (25), home runs (8) and slugging percentage (.810). Other threats with the bat include Megan Grant, Sharlize Palacios and Thessa Malau’ulu who are all hitting above .350 and have double-digit RBIs.

Game Schedule (All games on KWVA Eugene 88.1)
Game 1: Thursday, March 28 at 7 p.m.
Game 2: Friday, March 29 at 5 p.m.
Game 3: Saturday, March 30 at 11 a.m.

Prediction
While both teams are strong offensively, I expect pitching to dominate this series. Both teams have multiple talented pitchers who should shine. The Ducks come into the series with more momentum but the Bruins will be the ones that come away with the series victory.

Written story by Jack McArthur

The first clash of the four-game series between Oregon and Seattle was a thrillingly entertaining game. Oregon’s sophomore second baseman Drew Smith had a game winning walk off hit in the bottom of the 10th inning. Smith’s clutch single down the third base line was his first walk-off as a Duck. The odds were stacked against Oregon entering the bottom of the 10th inning. Seattle’s late game rally in the 10th inning put them up big. Seattle led 4-1 at the top of the 10th. Redhawk’s senior third baseman crushed a ball past the left-center field wall, homering to put his team up by three. At the end of nine innings, Seattle led Oregon by three with a 4-1 score. The game started off slow. After two innings, the game remained scoreless. The Ducks led 1-0 after the third inning.

In the bottom of the third, Seattle’s starting pitcher, Jarek Woodward, threw a costly wild pitch. It  advanced Bryce Boettcher and led to Carter Garate scoring, which put Oregon up by one. After five innings, Oregon’s Freund registered five K’s and no walks. Freund had an extremely impressive outing, in his first time starting on the mound for Oregon. The Redhawks tied the game 1-1 in the eighth by walking in a run. In the eighth inning, there was a weather delay due to lightning striking that lasted one hour. At 8:10 PM, play continued despite the downpour of rain at PK Park. Left-handed pitcher, Bradley Mullen, entered the game in the eighth inning, replacing Logan Mercado. Mullen lasted 1.2 innings, and was replaced by Matthew Grabmann, who got the win. Grabmann pitched the 10th and final inning. 

Wednesday’s contest was deemed to be a low scoring game until after the weather delay in the eighth inning. The score was 1-1 after eight innings. The game continued at 8:10 PM, after a one hour weather delay due to lightning. Oregon players reportedly played Wiffle Ball during the 8th inning to remain calm and to stay mentally prepared during the lengthy weather delay. “We stayed loose and just had some good times with the guys,” said Smith. “It was a really intense game, and it was a close one. I think the lightning delay made us settle down a little bit.” Smith additionally mentioned how it was fun to be able to stay loose and relax in the practice facility during the delay. Drew Smith had a great game and finished going three for four.

Oregon head coach Mark Wasikowski didn’t believe that the delay helped his team refocus at all. “No, I don’t think inclement weather helps. It’s just part of what happens and both teams have to deal with it,” said Wasikowski. “It’s equal at least for both teams.” The Ducks just needed a good at bat to get a win. “That was one of our messages was we don’t need a hero, just get us a good at bat,” said Oregon head coach Mark Wasikowski.

The Ducks certainly felt the momentum shift in the bottom of the 10th inning. Although Seattle led by three runs, 4-1 entering the bottom of the 10th, Oregon remained resilient. Seattle continuously made mistakes and hit a batter and walked another, which changed the trajectory of the game in the tenth inning. In the bottom of the 10th, when Oregon trailed 4-3, Justin Cassella got hit by a pitch. At this point in the game, the Ducks had two on base with one out.

It was certainly a pitchers duel. Despite throwing 12 more strikes than Oregon, the Seattle Redhawks were unable to snag a win in Wednesday’s hard fought battle. Seattle collectively threw 102 strikes and 69 balls, compared to Oregon’s 90 strikes and 68 balls. 

Tomorrow, Thursday March 28th, Oregon will host Seattle for the second game of the three game series between the Ducks and the Redhawks.

Audio story by Ryan Oppenheimer