Surging Oregon Ducks set for "bad blood" rivalry showdown with Oregon State

In the midst of a 10-game winning streak, the surging Oregon Ducks are determined to prove that they are the best college baseball team in the state.

This week, No. 25 Oregon (19-7, 6-3) will host Oregon State (18-10, 5-7) for a three-game series at PK Park in Eugene. Thursday’s opener is set for a 7 p.m. PT first pitch.

There aren’t many instances in recent history when Oregon State has not featured in the top-25 of the national polls when the two programs have met. But the Beavers struggled in conference play during the month of March and currently sit eighth in the Pac-12 standings — four spots behind Oregon.

“Every game or every weekend is a big weekend — when you play at Oregon, that’s the way it is,” Oregon coach Mark Wasikowski said. “Every weekend is big. … Being the best team in the state is a big deal for us. That’s something that we have to earn and prove.”

The Ducks have been hitting their stride of late. They notched an impressive three-game sweep of Arizona in Tucson over the weekend — which included a thrilling comeback win on Saturday after trailing 10-0.

Senior outfielder Tanner Smith is hitting a team-high .378 with six homers, eight doubles, 24 RBI, and 22 runs.

Sophomore first basemen Jacob Walsh was named the Pac-12 player of the week on Monday after smashing three home runs against the Wildcats. He is hitting .291 with a team-best eight homers. 

Sabin Ceballos (.375, six homers) and Drew Cowley (.313, five homers) are also having big seasons at the dish.

“I think these last 10 games we’ve really started to realize what we can do collectively as a team on both sides of the ball,” Smith said. “I’m never going to downplay (Oregon State) because it’s such a great program and always a good team, but I think it’s going to be a competitive weekend and I think we’re going to come out hot.”

While Oregon State’s pitching has been stellar thus far during the 2023 campaign, the Beavers have been uncharacteristically poor at the plate.

They rank 206th nationally with a .260 batting average.

The top of the Beavers’ lineup is still stacked with talent. Second basemen Travis Bazzana (.366, 11 doubles, 25 RBI) and first basemen Garrett Forrester (.302, four homers, 17 RBI) are two of the best hitters in the Pac-12.

But Oregon State has struggled to replace its trio of all-conference outfielders from last season — Jacob Melton, Justin Boyd, and Wade Meckler, all of whom were selected in the 2022 Major League Baseball Draft.

The lack of offensive firepower has stung the Beavers on multiple occasions this spring. They have lost five games by two runs or fewer and found themselves on the wrong end of a pair of one-run losses to Stanford in March.

The three-game showdown in Eugene could be season-defining for both programs as Oregon looks to continue its recent surge and Oregon State looks to get back on track.

“I mean, playing the Beavers every year at PK Park, it’s some of the most special games, always,” Smith said. “The fans, the environment, and just kind of that bad blood that’s within that rivalry I’m always excited for Oregon State.”

Oregon vs. Oregon State pitching probables

• Friday: OSU RHP Jaren Hunter (1-1, 3.34) vs. Oregon RHP Jace Stoffal (3-2, 4.13)
• Saturday: OSU RHP Trent Sellers (4-2, 3.74) vs. Oregon RHP Logan Mercado (2-0, 7.67) 
• Sunday: OSU RHP Jacob Kmatz (2-4, 3.65) vs. Oregon RHP Leo Uelman (2-2, 5.34)