By Levi Profitt

Just like their counterparts on the Oregon Softball team, Ducks baseball also suffered a sweep at the hands of the UCLA Bruins in Los Angeles last weekend. After keeping it close for three one-run losses, the Ducks have to feel disappointed in themselves coming off a series where they just couldn't get the job done.

The Ducks will get a good opportunity to show that last weekend was just a fluke when they take on the Ball State Cardinals this weekend in Eugene. It will be a battle for this Ducks team, however as Ball State has won 12 out of their last 14 games, albeit playing in the Mid-American Conference. This will be Oregon's first venture against a MAC team this season, and it should be a showing of how Oregon can continue to either exceed or struggle against nonconference opponents.

Ball State isn't hitting with the prowess of the Ducks as of late but has fifth-year outfielder Amir Wright who has been able to get on base in all 26 of the Cardinals games this season. They also aren't a slouch in the hitting department either, with 5 hitters over .300 and 30 homers on the season. For an Oregon team that has struggled with starting pitching at times, Ball State might be able to find some holes in the Duck's rotation.

Potential Pitching Matchups

Friday at 4:00 pm P.T.: UO RHP RJ Gordon v. BSU RHP Trennor O'Donnell

RJ Gordon has the second-most innings pitched for the Ducks this season with 27.2 and has struggled at times with a 5.53 ERA. Gordon is just 1-1 on the year, with 9 appearances, and what will be his 4th start of the season on Friday evening. Gordon allowed 3 earned runs but tallied 6 strikeouts in the Ducks opening game against UCLA on April 1st, eventually taking the loss 3-2.

On the other side, Ball State pitcher Trennor O'Donnell is 3rd on the team in innings pitched with 28.2, and has and ERA just above Gordon's with 5.65. O'Donnell has fanned 29 on the season, but also let up a team-high 8 HRs. With Oregon's bats showing off this season like they've done so far, we may see some Duck hitters looking to go yard in Friday's contest. O'Donnell allowed just one run in his last outing against Toledo, however, along with 6 strikeouts and 5 walks.

Saturday at 12:00 pm P.T.: UO RHP Isaac Ayon v. BSU LHP Tyler Schweitzer

Isaac Ayon is Oregon's guy with the most innings pitched on the season. In his 7 starts, Ayon has an ERA of 6, and a record of 2-1. Ayon's last start was against the UCLA Bruins on April 2nd, in which he allowed 4 runs while striking out 5 batters. Ayon will look to have a better showing against the Cardinals when he takes the mound on Saturday in his 8th start

Tyler Schweitzer of the Ball State Cardinals also leads his respective team in innings pitched on the year with 36, and has a record of 4-2 in 7 starts. Schweitzer also leads this group of Cardinals starting pitchers with a 3.25 ERA, something that could work to Ball State's advantage if the Cardinals can pin down the Ducks strength in the bats.

Saturday at 4:00 pm P.T.: UO RHP Jace Stoffal v. BSU RHP Ty Johnson

Saturday will mark Jace Stoffal's first start on the mound as a Duck. Stoffal spent his 2021 season with the Umpqua Community College Riverhawks where he went 6-2 as a starter with 58 innings pitched and an ERA of 2.17. Stoffal is a native of Oregon, from Roseburg, and will try to add a dependable arm to this Oregon rotation that has had some problems with injury and reliability so far into the year.

Ty Johnson has the second-most innings pitched for Ball State with 34.1 IP on the season, along with an ERA of 5.50 and 29 strikeouts to his name. Johnson has had trouble with hitting batters, however, as his 9 HBP leads the team. Despite that, Johnson still has the best record on the team at 4-1, and will try to slow down a lineup that will have already faced pitcher Tyler Schweitzer that morning.

Sunday at 12:00 pm P.T.: UO (TBD) v. BSU (TBD)

Projected Lineup - Oregon

LF Tanner Smith

CF Colby Shade

DH Brennan Milone

1B Jacob Walsh

SS Josh Kasevich

RF Anthony Hall

C Josiah Cromwick

3B Sam Novitske

2B Gavin Grant

Projected Lineup - Ball State

CF Amir Wright

1B Trenton Quartermaine

RF Nick Powell

C Adam Christianson

DH Matthew Rivera

3B Ryan Peltier

LF Zach Cole

SS Justin Conant

2B Zach Lane

Final Thoughts

Oregon returns home with a chance to get 3 games against a nonconference opponent that is playing well right now. This is another opportunity to prove that Oregon takes any competition seriously, and an opportunity to get back on track with their hitting after a bit of a slump in Los Angeles. If the pitching can hold up, Oregon can take most of these games, but that can be a big if. Ball State won't be afraid to give the Ducks all they've got, and this is a chance to see how Oregon can stand up to that.

Final Prediction

Oregon takes 3/4 games from Ball State