Ultimate Preview: Oregon Softball vs Washington

Special Contribution from Christopher Young

#19 OREGON DUCKS at #10 Washington Huskies

Friday @ 1800           PAC 12 Net (streaming online) / KWVA (radio)

Saturday @ 1600       PAC 12 Net (streaming online) / KWVA (radio)

Sunday @ 1200         PAC 12 Net (streaming online) / KWVA (radio)

Monday @ 1500 (Seattle University) ESPN+ / KWVA (radio)

We’ve essentially reached the end of the non-conference schedule and are headed right into the meat of the season.  The Ducks learned some lessons early, thanks to the strength of the schedule.  They’ve faced several best teams and pitchers in the country in their first 20 games, coming away with a 16-4 record.  They have had some struggles along the way, but the games have shown that they are capable of being their own worst enemies.  All four loses were the product of errors, miscues, and lost opportunities more so than not being good enough. 

Obviously its a bit hyperbolic to say, but the if you take away the mistakes, the Ducks are right in each of those games.  As has been the a hallmark of the previous versions, version 5.0 often responds and is perhaps at its best with their backs against the wall.  They are scoring exceptionally well with 2 outs, and making the late inning comebacks.  The pitchers and defense find ways to make plays.

It’s not always so good for the health of those watching the games, but the team is leaning on their veteran makeup and never feel out of any game.  In the words of everyone’s favorite PAC-12 hype-man Bill Walton (paraphrased from John Wooden), “They are at their best when their best is required!”

The #21/19 Oregon Ducks begin the PAC 12 slate with games in Seattle this weekend.  The Ducks will attempt to parlay the strong non-conference schedule into success in conference, and they will be tested right out of the gate.  They play the three game set with #10 UW this weekend (they have an added getaway game with Seattle U on Monday) before coming back to Eugene next week to begin a 2 series home stand against #8 Stanford and #2 UCLA. 

Sufficed to say, the next three weeks will be the toughest stretch of the season for the Ducks, and will go a long way towards setting the conference standings at the end of the season. 

This weekend the Ducks will face a Huskies team that in many ways are just like them.  Similar records, similar ERA, similar team Batting Avg.  The key to this weekend will be who is able to make the plays in clutch moments and who is able to keep from making the costly errors.  If both teams play well, I put my money on the team make up of the Ducks to have the edge.  They have depth in the lineup and experience that should should provide the advantages in close games. 

The two teams have faced 4 mutual opponents, UC San Diego, San Diego St. LMU, and San Jose St, with both teams winning all those games.  There isn’t too much to infer from those games, both teams had periods of struggles, but predominately they performed as chalked. 

The Ducks, as mentioned earlier, have done a good job of scoring late in games when needed.  The early part of those games though is the reason the numbers don’t stack up as strong as I would like to see when compared to the rest of the conference.  They are currently tied for 7^th with a team Batting Avg of .311, but that is just behind the Huskies at .320.  Across the board, the Ducks a pretty much in the middle of the PAC in most statistical categories. 

The good news is last year they did start making some improvements as the conference games started, so hopefully they are able to turn the corner and do the same again this year.  The team is led by Allee Bunker at (.375) and Kyla Morris is behind her at (.357).  The other Ducks above (.300) are Ariel Carlson (.340), Terra McGowan (.328), Hanna Delgado (.308), Kedre Luschar and Alyssa Daniell (.306), Vallery Wong (.304).  KK Humphreys is just under at (.298)  Paige Sinicki (.259) and Tehya Bird (.275) have both put in some extra work to battle out of the slumps they have been in, so hopefully they see the fruits of that effort this weekend.

DUCKS OFFENSE

Another area that will be a significant part of this series will be the aggressive play on the base paths from the Ducks.  They are 3^rd in conference at 35 attempts, with 28 successful.  One area the Ducks can look to try to exploit is the Huskies catchers haven’t had great success throwing out runners.  If the Ducks can get base runners on, I’m betting the house they will be putting pressure on the defense.  That could help open up some lanes for the bats too, success in the one area begets success in the other. 

DUCKS PITCHING:

The Ducks have been battling a few minor injuries in their bull pen.  While they won’t have a full complement again this week, I expect those that do see action will be ready.  Stevie Hansen leads the team, and in fact leads the nation, with her 11 wins.  Take away the horrible start to the season she had in game 1 and she is contending as a leader in several statistical categories, but there aren’t any mulligans to be had.  Raegan Breedlove and Morgan Scott should both be available.  Morgan is coming off a complete game performance in which she was really pitching well.  Raegan is able to serve as both a starter and as a reliever/closer, so she is likely to get work in both roles this weekend. 

It’s also very likely we see Allison Benning get some innings of work this weekend.  She has been out of the lineup up for several weeks, though was able to get herself an at bat last weekend.  She’s got lots of power and some good rotation, but the one “issue” we need to keep an eye on is she tends to miss high.  That’s not where you want to be missing against a team like Washington, or any team remaining of the schedule for that matter. 

Washington Huskies Offense:

The Huskies, much like the Ducks, are hovering around the middle of the conference in offensive numbers.  They have hammered the lower caliber teams they have faced, and been in battles against most of the rest of their games.  One loss against #1 Oklahoma and #18 Kentucky, with the remaining loss against a 3-2 game with McNeese St.  They seem to do just enough to win in the games played against quality opponents. 

They are led on offense by 5^th year Sr’s Bailey Klingler (.425) and Sami Reynolds (.400).  Former #1 recruit Kelly Lynch, also a pitcher, is a senior and after having faced some struggles the last several years she has put it altogether this year, hitting (.375).  They do have some pretty good team speed and are able to push singles into doubles if defenses aren’t paying attention.  Once they get runners in scoring position, they have been able to use that speed to score runs on balls put in play. 

One area they have also used that speed on the bases, attempting 43 stolen bases so far this year.  This will be an area to keep an eye on as Terra has already caught 5 of 7 so far, and is one of the best guns behind the plate in the conference.  Whoever wins this battle will factor into who wins the series. 

Washington Huskies Pitching:

The Huskies have 4 pitchers, so they aren’t super deep if you are able to force a change.  They are led in the circle by freshman Ruby Meylan, who is a perfect 9-0 with an ERA of .45.  She was the #13 ranked recruit last year.  They also have the senior Kelly Lynch, who is 4-1 with and ERA of 1.11.

Junior Lindsey Lopez and Senior Brooke Nelson round out the order. 

Basically the Huskies go to arm is Meylan, and I expect she will be countered by Stevie.  Whoever is able to last the longest in those games will probably also get the win.  Lynch will face the likely tandem of Scott and Breedlove, with Scott having the high zone rise-ball and then the low zone drop ball from Breedlove being difficult to for batters to adjust to in game on the fly. 

I think the Ducks have the slight edge here; Stevie has more experience in the pressure situations and I think this series is going to be full of them.  Ideally the Ducks are able to grab 2 of the 3 games.  However, if they don’t play clean leaving 0-3 would also not be the least bit surprising.  Should be some exciting games the next several days!!