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.