Charles Fischer

OREGON ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2026 BASEBALL | @OregonBaseball Ducks Take Series with Doubleheader Sweep EUGENE, Ore. — Oregon clinched the series with George Mason scoring 28 runs in a doubleheader sweep on Saturday. The Ducks won game one 14-5 before claiming the nightcap 14-4. Oregon (3-0) belted seven home runs in the two games, with true freshman Angel Loya hitting his first two career long balls and senior Drew Smith slugging a pair of homers as well. True freshman Brayden Jaksa joined the home run parade with his first career bomb to cap Oregon’s scoring in the second game. Oregon’s starting pitching keyed the victories with junior Collin Clarke and sophomore Cal Scolari combining to allow just two runs on two hits in 10 innings with 17 strikeouts. Game 1: Oregon 14, George Mason 5 Oregon hit four home runs while Clarke picked up the win allowing just two runs on two hits over six innings while striking out a career-high 10 with no walks. The Ducks finished with 12 hits, the second consecutive game with double-digit hits. How It Happened: After GMU took a 1-0 lead with a solo home run in the first, the Ducks answered with nine runs in the bottom of the second. Laya gave the Ducks the lead with one out, belting his first career homer, a two-run shot, over the right-field wall. Jaksa followed with a two-bagger off the left-field fence before coming around to score on a Jax Gimenez two-out single. Jack Brooks made it 4-0, scoring on a wild pitch before Maddox Molony drew a bases loaded walk to plate the fifth run of the inning. After a pitching change, Smith capped the inning blasting a grand slam over the wall in left-center field. The Patriots got one back in the fourth with another solo homer, but UO answered with a Gabe Miranda RBI base hit that scored Gimenez from second. After GMU cut the lead to five in the seventh inning with three runs, the Ducks put the game away in the eighth with four more runs. Laya led off the inning with his second home run of the game before Ryan Cooney finished the frame with a three-run homer to give the Ducks a nine-run lead. Angel Laya Game 2: Oregon 14, George Mason 4 Scolari did not allow a hit in four innings of work while striking out seven Patriots. He was credited with the win in a predetermined work load for the starter. How it Happened: Oregon took the early lead with a little help from the Patriots. The Ducks put runners at the corners in the second after GMU misplayed an infield pop up with two outs. With Laya at the plate, Cooney swiped second while George Mason catcher Vincent Cowdrey attempted to back pick Jack Brooks at third. The throw went into left field allowing Brooks to score. The Ducks added two more runs in the third on back-to-back jacks by Molony and Smith. Molony hit a 2-1 pitch off the scoreboard in left-center field before Smith ambushed the next pitch and deposited it on the roof of the indoor hitting facility beyond the right-field wall. The Ducks broke the game open with an eight-run fourth inning. Smith and Gimenez each had 2-RBI singles in the inning while the Ducks also scored four runs on either walks or HBPs with the bases loaded. After the Patriots put four runs on the board in the seventh, Jaksa capped the scoring with a two-run shot. Doubleheader Box Score Notes: Jaksa made his first career start behind the plate in game one … Jaksa doubled off the left-field wall in his first career at-bat … After hitting a pinch-hit home run in the second game, he stayed in the game and played first base … Right-handed pitcher Leo Uelmen entered in the seventh inning of game one, making his first appearance since May 12, 2023 … Oregon’s four home runs in the first game tied for the eighth most in school history … Cooney had four hits in the game and five in the doubleheader while driving in five runs … Smith had three hits and seven RBI in the twin bill. Quotes: Head Coach Mark Wasikowski On Angel Laya not showing up on many preseason watch lists... “I don't know. The gurus that think they got this thing wired — I don’t fault any of the publications that don’t have people listed. I think they're trying. They're giving us great coverage of college baseball. The kids will earn their stripes. The play takes care of itself, and by the end of it, the dust will settle, and everyone's going to know who the best players are.” On Collin Clarke's pitching outing... “Dominant. Pitched well. They got a couple of swings off when he was first pitch swinging, out, and second pitch swinging, and the guy caught one. Two solo shots. Dominant. Didn't walk anybody, struck a bunch of guys out, and just continued to fill the zone up. And he obviously pitches with a lot of emotion. It’s fun to see that.” On the Ducks' goals for the year, improvement over the offseason, and what coach is looking to see from the team... “We’ve improved a ton physically-wise to start with, with Darnell Hunter in the weight room. Athleticism and the way they move. I think we've improved across the board. The goals are just to improve every single day. If we do that, I think we’ve got a team that can make a real run for the College World Series and do the things we want to do in terms of putting up a national championship banner here. It's a little early for that talk, but I just want to win and improve every single day. That's my goal.” Collin Clarke On Leo Uelmen getting a chance to play for the first time in years... “I see the hard work he puts in, and in the weight room—it’s every day. So it’s awesome when you see him go out there.” On Catcher Brayden Jaksa... “It's definitely fearful for the opposing team in the box, so that's great.” On balancing the game as a pitcher... “Yeah, I was just trying to get ahead of guys, and the game just happened.” Drew Smith On his bare-handed highlight at third base... “We do that stuff in practice every day, so it doesn't shock me when I do something like that. Gavin (Grant) does a really good job with coaching us, so all the infield stuff is really dialed.” On teammate Angel Laya... “Yeah, he’s an absolute stud. He clicked like that all fall too, so it wasn't a surprise to us, but I'm happy to see it come to fruition in a game.” On the emotions in the dugout... “It's good vibes for sure. And everybody is just rolling and hitting. It gets contagious.” Ryan Cooney On the infield connection this season... “Yeah, it's been awesome. You know, Drew is a super versatile player, and he fits in really well over there at third base. And Miranda's great. Braden got out there and played first base at the end of the second game. So, anybody can do it. And you know, we have a great connection regardless of who's out there.” On a slow pace mid-game... “I mean, regardless of the pace, you get used to it after a while, and it's fun. Guys are working hard for each other, and I think that's what keeps the game going quickly for guys out there, just being able to be behind each guy every at-bat.” On the playing time and depth in the roster this weekend... “It’s super important, especially for the younger kids. I think it was a great experience. I was in that position one time, getting in a game like this, and for me, it helped me develop a lot. And I think it's really important for those guys. But also, to show you if something happens, we have another guy who can play. It's really exciting for the future.”

He is a 4-Star on Rivals, and besides Oregon was offered by Texas Tech, Notre Dame, Florida, Ole Miss, Tennessee and Washington. (Ha!)

Ducks win 14-4 as Michael Meckna does it again with a 1-2-3 inning. It is great to win, but also to learn about your team. So many surprises! On the negative...Burke-Lee Mabeus doesn't have a hit yet, and Maddox Molony is struggling at times. Can't have everyone on fire!

14-4 Ducks after eight innings. Sophomore Michael Meckna comes in with a variety of pitches to put them out 1-2-3. Not much on offense this inning...

14-4 Ducks after seven innings. Gabe Howard from West Linn came in and gave up a run. He was replaced by true freshman, the No. 2 LHP of the state of Washington in freshman Shane Johnson, but he must have been rattled, as he gave up three runs. We still don't know who our closer is yet! Heralded transfer Josh Schleichardt had a turn at bat, and got plinked, and then true freshman Brayden Jaksa comes in blasts the ball out-of-the-park.

12-0 Ducks after six innings. Ian Umlandt is given a chance to get warmed up for the 2026 campaign, and he kept the Patriots scoreless in two innings. He had to work out of a bases-loaded jam, but got the strikeout needed to keep the lead high. Jack Brooks walked, and then Ryan Cooney hit a deep one down the right field line to score Brooks!

11-0 Ducks after four innings. Cal Scolari was in a zone...even in the rain. He has been throwing 93-96 mph, and yet has a nasty curve/drop pitch that locks them up. He retired the side, and my only concern is if his arm isn't getting cold with as long as the inning went with Oregon batting and George Mason changing pitchers so much. Sometimes...it is the other team who has pitchers who are melting down, and GMU had that this inning. Angel Laya got it going after two outs with a grounder for a hit into right field. Dominic Hellman gets walked, and then Gabe Miranda gets walked to load the bases. Then Maddox Molony gets walked to score a run, while Drew Smith drills a low liner below the mitt of the 3rd baseman to score two. Burke-Lee Mabeus walks, and then Elijah Cook gets plinked to bring in another run. Jack Brooks also gets plinked to score another...and Ryan Cooney gets plinked to score yet another! And I thought Christmas was nearly two months ago... Jax Gimenez comes in to pinch-hit, and does so to shallow right, and score two more runs...wow. Take the gifts!

3-0 Ducks, after three innings. Cal Scolari mowed them down in the 3rd, and gave confidence to Oregon hitters coming up. Maddox Molony has had a rough start to this year batting...until now. He blasted a Homer over left field, and then Drew Smith came up and did the same thing over the right field fence. Back-to-Back Dingers!

1-0 Ducks after two innings. The transfer starter Cal Scolari has had to tough moments already, but got out of them. In the second inning...Jack Brooks got another hit, and then Ryan Cooney hit a high fly in the infield...that was missed by GM infielder. Brooks made the most of it as he sped to third from first. Then the Patriots committed another error when their catcher tried to pick-off Brooks at third, but overthrew the third baseman, and thus Brooks scored to give the Ducks their first run. We will take a run generated from errors!

Ducks win 14-5, as Ryder Edwards was impressive putting the final Patriot inning. I will post more about this game later as it becomes available, but I love what we're seeing. We're going to win some games this year! The second game today should start around 2:30 PST, on B1G+.

14-5 Ducks after eight innings. Ryder Edwards, a transfer pitcher from George Fox, came in for Leo Uelmen and got the third out. These are perfect scenarios to test your transfers, or let returning pitchers who have not had much action--get some. Angel Laya hits a HR that lands on the roof of the practice facility behind right field. Two home runs in one game from a true freshman? (Greatness & Weakness Emerge Early) Brayden Jaksa hits to the LF corner and in just their first two games....our true freshmen are 4-8? Whew! Jack Brooks hits to LF deep for a double, while Jaksa bolts to third base from first. Then Portland's Ryan Cooney hits a three run dinger over the left field fence! He caught a hanging curve perfectly...

10-5 Ducks after seven innings. Collin Clarke was superb, as he finished with 74 pitches in six innings, only two runs allowed and 10 strikeouts! After two years of injuries...Leo Uelmen is back, and this was a perfect spot to get him going again. He had some bad luck, and gave up three runs, but he has a 94 mph fastball, and a nice curve/drop ball and simply needs more PT to get his legs back.

10-2 Ducks, after four innings. Collin Clarke has been throwing strikes, and very efficient, but a great swing by a GM Patriot got a HR off him in the fourth inning. Jax Gimenez hits a sharp angle grounder to the right field corner, and he jets to second. Gabe Miranda gets his first hit as a Duck with a grounder up the middle to score Gimenez from second.

9-1 Ducks after two innings! Yep, you saw that right. Our Beloved Ducks batted HOT on a cold day. Pitcher Collin Clarke plinked a guy, but disposed of the other batters, and then Oregon went on offense. Maddox Molony gets his first hit of the season with a shallow shot in left field, and then freshman Angel Laya stuns everyone with his first college home run in his second game? Whew! Then fellow freshman Brayden Jaksa hits a double off the left field fence that was just a foot short of a dinger as well, while doing it on a full-count. Can Waz recruit or what? Jack Brooks got plinked, and then Jax Gimenez hits a grounder up the middle to score Jaksa from second. (Speed too!) The speedy Brooks went from first to third on Gimenez's hit, as Dominic Hellman then waited out their pitcher to walk. Bases loaded! A wild pitch to Miranda scores Brooks from third, and then Gabe Miranda gets plinked for his third time in a game and a half? Some kind of "baseball-magnet" there! Maddox Molony walks...to score a run, and with bases loaded...Drew Smith comes up and hits a GRAND SLAM to finish an incredible 9-run inning. Smith scooped a low pitch with perfect timing to clear the fence. Wow!

1-0 George Mason after one inning. Collin Clarke was doing well, but gave up a homer. Dominic Hellman got a nice hit up the middle, but that was it for the Ducks.

At the end of the first gameday thread...is a short video of highlights from yesterday's game, as well as a couple of my own concluding thoughts. Today we play in rain, and the starter is Collin Clarke, another surprise. He had tough times last year, lost his starting spot and had to work through it all. To be named a Saturday starter ahead of transfer Cal Scolari...says a ton about his comeback. Should be fun to watch! Changes in the starting lineup are: Catcher is freshman phenom Brayden Jaska, and he is a big-boy, with a big bat. Between him and Angel Laya (3-4 yesterday at the plate) we are starting two true freshmen today...a surprise considering the talent that joined us in the portal. Hope all play well! Collin Clarke Oregon Baseball is BACK! Life is good....

I am stunned at how Will Sanford has improved, as he does look like a stud Friday night starter with his scoreless results. I was also incredibly surprised to see a barely-used freshman last year, Tanner Bradley, move up the ranks to become the second reliever in the this first game. He also kept them scoreless, and has great stuff! That is fantastic player development, my Duck-Buddies!

First of all....I spent $240.00 of my own money to get that, and it put my mind at ease. And I am learning about a ton of other factors that build up over time, and I was not aware of...such as "gut health," and how many of us have become "Insulin resistant" from all the processed foods with the sugar, and industrial fillers that turn to glucose in the body, (sugar) along with vegetable and seed oils eaten over our lives. Ever hear of Beef Tallow? Up to a year ago...I'd never heard of it. Now, it is the healthier way to cook by a mile, and it adds to the flavor. So we've all three taken a turn on the soapbox, but I have a TON more to learn...and am doing so. And, I don't mind you guys at all helping everyone to be aware, and what we can do for prevention. I want everyone here to cheer our Ducks for as long as possible!

OREGON ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2026 BASEBALL | @OregonBaseball Ducks Open Season With a Win EUGENE, Ore. — Sophomore Will Sanford put together a dominant outing over five innings on the mound while Dominic Hellman sparked Oregon’s offense with a three-run home run in a 6-2 win over George Mason on Opening Day at PK Park on Friday. Sanford (1-0) took control early, striking out the side in the top of the first inning. Things did not get easier for the Patriots (0-1) with Sanford retiring 10 of the first 11 batters he faced while picking off the lone runner at first during that stretch. Overall, he retired 14 of the 16 batters he faced before giving way to a pair of relievers. Will Sanford The Ducks’ starter allowed just one hit and only two base runners in five innings while not allowing a Patriot past first base while striking out five. How It Happened: Oregon (1-0) did not waste time getting on the board taking a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. Jax Gimenez doubled with one out before moving to third on a Hellman single and scoring when Drew Smith bases loaded walk. The Ducks built on the lead in the second adding four runs while mixing a little small ball with some long ball. Freshman Angel Laya led off the frame with his first career hit before moving to third on back-to-back bunt base hits by Jack Brooks and Ryan Cooney. Gimenez pushed the lead to 2-0 driving in Laya with a ground out to second. Hellman followed with a 385-foot line drive over the left-field wall for a three-run homer and a 5-0 lead. Oregon tacked on an insurance run in the bottom of the fifth. Laya led off the inning with a double over the center-fielders head, his third hit of the game, before coming around to score on a throwing error on a Brooks’ sacrifice bunt. Box Score Notes: Laya became the 30th true freshman position player in the modern era of Oregon baseball to start on opening day … Laya went 3-for-4 with two runs scored … The three hits were the most by a freshman on Opening Day since Tanner Smith and Aaron Zavala both had three knocks at Texas Tech in 2019 … Hellman finished 2-for-5 with three RBI and a run scored, giving him 26 career multi-hit and 14 career multi-RBI games … Gimenez had a career-best two doubles while going 2-for-5 with a RBI and run scored … In addition to Laya, three other players made their Duck debuts … Gabe Miranda got the start at first base and reached on a pair of hit-by-pitches … Miles Gosztola pitched the sixth and seventh innings, finishing with two strikeouts … Elijah Cook entered the game as a pinch runner in the eighth inning and played left in the ninth. On Deck: The teams play a doubleheader at PK Park on Saturday beginning at 11 a.m. Quotes: Head Coach Mark Wasikowski On the opening day performance and fan attendance... “I thought the guys played well. We got a good performance out of Will Sanford. I thought Dom Hellman came up really big with a couple of at-bats. For a freshman to do what Angel Laya did in his first game is really good. And for the first game, I really appreciate the fans. The fans packed the house, and I love that.” On Will Sanford's improvement during the offseason... “He’s just a year older, mental toughness, calmness, and foot-flow have been really good for him. It’s only one game in, but to have Matt Florer and Dan Straily around our pitchers, I've been impressed with both their work and their demeanor. Both their demeanors rub off on those guys.” On Dan Straily and Matt Florer at Oregon... “Dan Straily played 11 years in the major leagues. I mean, our entire staff earnings — he probably made twice as much as all of us combined. That's how smart in the game Dan Straily is. Matt Florer does a tremendous job and has an elite baseball mind and is a really good developer. We were fortunate enough that we were able to convince him to come up.” Drew Smith & Dominic Hellman Dominic Hellman On starting the season off with a homerun… “It feels pretty good. I had a bunch of guys in front of me put together some tough at-bats. Jax Gimenez scored a guy to get that going and then the juices were flowing from there.” On Will Sanford’s performance… “The kid is a stud. If you call last year a rough year for him, that speaks volumes to who he is as a kid. Through camp he’s been lights out. To see him go out there and compete like that is great. That’s just what he does on a random Friday or Saturday for us.” On goals for the season… “Same thing as last year, being consistent. I want to make sure I get healthy and take guys under my wing. I want to let them know that it’s going to be a long season and just because we drop a game or have one bad at-bat, there’s going to be a lot more games. Making sure we’re consistent with taking care of what we need to, still competing, and doing everything we can.” Angel Laya On earning his playing time in the outfield… “I played to the standard. It’s fun to compete with the guys but playing to the standard and succeeding will help you start.” On avoiding slow starts… “I just keep going. Everyone has some flaws. I could’ve gone 0-for-4 today but tomorrow is a new day and today is over.” Angel Laya On nerves and pregame routine… “I was generally nervous, but I calmed myself down and reminded myself I’ve done this all my life. Pregame I have no music or energy drinks. I stay to myself, focus, and do my thing.” Will Sanford On pitching against an aggressive hitting team… “Knowing that most of their players don’t strike out a lot and they like to put a lot of balls in play, we tried to take advantage of that, get ahead early and make some weak contacts.” On mentality against tough batters... “Being able to trust each pitch I’m throwing and not being scared to walk guys has been a big thing for me. Being on the attack and forcing them to put it in play, you get a call sometimes to go your way.” On pitching while Oregon is ahead… “It’s great, we take advantage of that. The thing for us is when we get those big numbers, being able to shut them down right away. We put up a 0 quickly, get our offense back out there and take the momentum from there.” On Matt Florer’s approach… “His approach with me is to trust my routine and let me do what I need to do. He also helps me on the mental side. If I am struggling with something, he’s there for me and gets me out of that. It’s been a big adjustment for me knowing I have a pitching coach that has trust in me. It makes it easy to pitch.”

Ducks win 6-2! Tanner Bradley came in finished them off. Boy, he has action on his pitches. This time he threw inside enough to make the batter lean back, and then the ball whipped in a curve back to the plate for a strike! This is going to be fun to watch over the season... First of the double-header is at 11:00 AM PST on Saturday!

6-2 Ducks after eight innings. Sophomore Tanner Bradley came in for relief, and last year as a freshman he did not pitch much, (five innings) but he did not allow a run in those and showed promise. The fact that he was brought in so soon made me want to watch him closely. He a righty with a lot of action on his pitches. He threw one that was clearly headed outside the plate, but then it curved inside, and caught the corner of the plate. Very nasty. He kept 'em scoreless and looks strong!

6-2 Ducks after seven innings. Gosztola looked like he was going to get out of a jam, but then gave up a double. Ducks didn't do much on offense...

6-0 Ducks after six innings. Will Sanford finished with a great day, giving up no runs. Our first reliever is Gonzaga transfer, Miles Gosztola, who is a lefty with a big sweeping pitch that whips inward towards the batter. He gave up a double, but then forced two grounders and a fly ball. Good start!

6-0 Ducks after five innings. Sanford forces three ground-outs, and the infield looks sharp! Will has 71 pitches after six innings... Angel Laya got his third hit today, a sweet drive in the gap near center field for a double. What have I said about "Greatness and Weakness Emerge Early?" He has a nice natural swing, and quite a good looking player already. Jack Brooks bunts and doesn't make it, but a bad throw pulled the first baseman to have the ball bounce off his mitt. That scores Laya from second base! I guess he has speed too?

5-0 Ducks after 4 innings. Sanford is giving them much to work with as he retired the side, and is at 62 pitches after four innings. It will be interesting to see how long Waz will let him continue, as they like to gradually build the arm up over the season. Gabe Miranda has been hit twice by pitch..already. Drew Smith walked but we got nothing else.