Charles Fischer

Ducks Complete Two-Game Sweep of Saint Mary’s EUGENE, Ore. — No. 5 Oregon broke open a tight game with a six-run sixth inning to pick up an 8-1 win over Saint Mary’s on Wednesday night in nonconference action at PK Park. The Ducks led 2-1 heading into the sixth but were able to put the Gaels away with the big inning to finish a two-game midweek sweep. Julien Hernandez (1-1), who got the start in the staffed game, picked up his first career Division I win. The transfer from Division III Whitman tossed three scoreless innings and fanned a season-high five while allowing just three hits and no walks. Ryan Featherston, Jaxon Jordan and Tanner Bradley combined to allow just one run on two hits over the final six innings with two strikeouts and no walks. How It Happened: Oregon (35-13) struck first in the bottom of the third inning scoring two runs on just one hit in the inning. Carter Garate singled to start the rally before moving to third on back-to-back walks issued to Mason Neville and pinch hitter Chase Meggers. Jacob Walsh drove in the first run with a ground out to first base before Drew Smith made it 2-0 with a sacrifice fly. Saint Mary’s (26-22) cut the lead to one with a run in the fourth, before Oregon broke it open with six runs in the bottom of the sixth. With one out, Ryan Cooney started the rally with a hit before moving to third on a Garate single and a Neville base on balls. Meggers chopped a ball to first baseman Eddie Madrigal whose momentum took him toward third base allowing Meggers to beat the throw to the pitcher who fell to the ground trying to field the ball while not being able to touch the base. The chopper scored two with Cooney scoring from third and Garate never breaking stride from second for a 4-1 lead. After the Gaels intentionally walked Jacob Walsh to load the bases, Smith picked up an RBI with a bases-loaded walk. Maddox Molony drove in two more with a line drive between the shortstop and third baseman for an 8-1 Ducks’ lead. Fantastic throw by freshman catcher Coen Niclai Box Score Notes: Neville drew three walks to move into second all-time in single-season base on balls … He needs two more to set a new Oregon record … He scored twice to move his season-total to 63 runs scored, one shy of tying for second all-time and five away from setting a new single-season record … Meggers, Smith and Molony all drove in two runs … Oregon’s four pitches did not issue a walk, the first time that has happened this season … Oregon’s staff had allowed just one walk on five previous occasions in 2025 … The last time UO did not issue a walk was on April 22, 2024, when Ian Umlandt tossed a complete game at San Francisco. On Deck: Oregon returns to Big Ten Conference action for its final homestand of the regular season on Friday against Washington (6:05 p.m./B1G+). Quotes: Head Coach Mark Wasikowski On todays performance… “We haven’t played midweeks consistently throughout the year and for us to now show that we’re able to handle midweek games is big. St. Mary’s has a big week in front of them with Gonzaga. They’re going there this weekend to try and win their conference. They’re in the thick of things with that and they have a good ball club. So, I was happy to see us win two games in the midweek.” On Tanner Bradley and Julien Hernandez development… “It’s what we’ve liked about him behind-the-scenes for several weeks now and we haven’t gotten them into some games. Some of those guys in the back of the bullpen have been pitching exceptionally well. For Julien to get the start tonight and pitch exceptionally well. These are things I like and I want Tanner Bradley in the game because of the work we’ve been putting in, in the bullpen. The developments occurring at a pretty high level and you’re seeing that. The pitches that Tanner and Julien were making looked really good coming out of their hand and they located their pitches really well. I don’t think we walked anybody tonight and as things got lose earlier in the season with pitching, I think we need to tip our hat and say ‘well done Coach (Blake) Hawksworth and the pitching staff’ because tonight we pitched tremendously well.” On Ryan Featherston tonight… “He was rocky at the start, but he was throwing the ball over the plate. I think it was rocky just from the results. I don’t think it was rocky from what his stuff was doing, he got hit on the first two batters that he faced then settled in pretty nicely. I think he did a really good job for us and provided some length for us in the game. We took him out when we wanted to, to where he could ready for the weekend. Overall, I thought he did a tremendous job of settling things down. Julien Hernandez Julien Hernandez: On overcoming struggles earlier this year... “Trust my stuff. Attacking the zone. Just trying to get ahead. Just letting my stuff play.” On career strikeouts tonight... “It was a good win. Strikeouts are strikeouts. But just keep doing my best, keep throwing strikes, and keep attacking fighters.” On the team’s confidence... “We’ve just been getting after it every day and I think the results speak for themselves.” Chase Meggers: On no walks tonight as a pitching staff... “Yeah, it’s always good to hear that the pitchers are, you know, shoving and there’s no walks. It just shows that their character. I have a little something to do with it, but I think that shows how, like, as a whole, our pitching staff is just, they want to win, and they’re getting it better, and they know that that’s what it takes to win.” On batting with the bases loaded... “Yeah, it’s always good to come up with bases loaded and, you know, just treat it like a normal at bat. Just see the ball, try to barrel it up, and it didn’t happen the first ab and then good things happen when you just barrel up the ball.” On Tanner Bradley pitching... “Dude’s legit, man. Just because somebody’s on the bench doesn’t mean that they don’t have good stuff. Sometimes, just things don’t work out. And he’s been waiting for his opportunity and today showed that he’s been ready and he’s been working hard. One of the best change ups I’ve seen in a long time, and he comes ready to go and I’m not surprised.”

I like the talent of the O-Line newbies, but they lack experience. Ziyare Addison looks like he has the build and fast-feet like Josh Conerly Jr. at left tackle, and he held up well at times, and got burned by savvy guys who have been there for years. Nonetheless, for a HS freshman skipping spring sports at HS...I loved the upside. The quality of talent being assembled at Oregon is unlike anything seen before in Eugene, and only in places like Athlens, Columbus, Tuscaloosa, etc. Looks the part to me!

An incredible graphic was on the screen during the live streaming. From March 28th until April 22nd...Oregon pitchers had an ERA of 6.93 (Yikes!) and the team record was 8-7. From April 22nd until just prior to tonight's game? Duck pitchers had a 2.28 ERA and the team was 7-1! I guess pitching matters? Oregon's pitchers are coming alive at the crucial time!

Ducks win 8-1 as Tanner Bradley strikes out the last two batters, and closes the ninth inning. What a complete game behind pitching and hitting! Only ONE run given up by relief pitching? Whew!

8-1 Ducks after eight innings, as Jaxon Jordan and freshman Tanner Bradley combine to put St. Mary's down in order. Three more outs!

8-1 Ducks after seven innings, as Jaxon Jordan takes over pitching, and keeps St. Mary's from scoring!

More from the Monster Sixth Inning!

Monster Inning! 8-1 Ducks after six innings. Since the two doubles, Ryan Featherston has been super for three innings as he puts the Gaels down 1-2-3. The Oregon offense heats up as Ryan Cooney singles to shallow left field on a line drive, and Carter Garate hits another line drive, only up the middle. Mason Neville is walked and with bases loaded--the entertainment begins. Chase Meggers hit a high bouncer to between first and second base gathered by the Gaels 1st baseman, who flips it to the pitcher. But the pitcher could not find the base in time and Meggers beats it out to be safe as Cooney scores. Garate wisely sees the confusion at first base, and runs to home. The St. Mary's pitcher throws to home, but overthrows everything and thus the Oregon runners move up to third and second base! Now they intentionally walk Jacob Walsh to load the bases again with one out. Then, the new Gaels pitcher is rattled and walks Drew Smith which scores a run. Next up is Maddox Molony, who drives a pitch just past the shortstop to score Meggers and Walsh. Next up is Parker Stinson, who is finding his hitting form again with a blasted grounder between the infielders to go in right field and scores another! Whew!

2-1 Ducks after five innings, as Ryan Featherston has been super, but so has St. Mary’s pitchers.

2-1 Ducks after four innings, as St. Mary's hit two doubles off of Ryan Featherston and scored one. Oregon left bases-loaded stranded!

2-0 Ducks after three innings. Julien Hernandez is done after three innings, and he had five strikeouts, while keeping St. Mary's scoreless. A fantastic first start for him, and it was stated that he was more comfortable starting instead of relieving. Great to have him available for the season! Meanwhile the St. Mary's pitcher lost control as Carter Garate got a base-knock into right field, then he walked Mason Neville, and then walked Chase Meggers. With based loaded the Ducks sacrificed a ground-out by Jacob Walsh to score Garate, and a deep fly to left field by Drew Smith to score Neville. I think you need to do that in a tight game, and I'm glad to see it.

0-0 after two innings, and you can knock me over with a Duck-Feather as the starting pitcher was Julien Hernandez. He is a transfer from Whitman, and my description of his performance thus far this year for the Ducks? Awful...absolutely awful. A couple of times--he had to be replaced mid-inning because they hit-the-heck out of him. Imagine my surprise to see him starting! Yet he has come out and pitched like a stud-veteran. He has a fastball at 94 mph, a nasty slider, and a changeup that he can place on the corners. Damn! We needed another pitcher, and you can tell that he is growing in his confidence--for a team that needs him! Julien Hernandez

Final game summary later at the end of the thread... ----------------------------------------------------- They said that Toby Twist was "on a pitch count" last night, and he gave up two of the game total of three St. Mary's runs in the first inning, the only one he pitched. Will they bring him in for another inning tonight to continue to get the cobwebs out? We also need Will Sanford to get his control back, and I would expect to see him some tonight, if not the starter. But we also have some freshmen who showed some promise such as Michael Meckna from Nebraska. We haven't seen him in a while, and we do need more pitching depth for the B1G Tournament coming up. Michael Meckna

Say it isn't so! So let me see if I got this right....in 2025--Oregon will receive more (54 Million) in the B1G after a discounted share, than each SEC team received in 2024? "The SEC released tax records in February that showed $840 million in total revenue and average per-school distributions of about $52.5 million to the 14 schools other than newcomers Oklahoma and Texas.”

That is an offensive philosophy that comes from the OC and HC, IMHO. Blocking technique is influenced by the offense, and I believe that Stein's priorities and how the OL blocking is taught will continue to improve. One reason that run-yardage may have been less, is that Nix was more effective runner than Gabriel, and we clearly did less of Zone-Reading this last year. I do expect less QB running this year, with a bigger emphasis on the passing game because of all the talent at WR and TE.

Something that was always evident, but has become very pronounced this year is the massive difference in talented and experienced depth between the defensive and offensive lines. We have quite a ways to go in building the same depth on the offensive line that we have on the defensive line. The starting offensive line is very good and talented, but they were spread between the two teams and as always--the Spring Game always highlights that disparity. But this year....it was the biggest difference EVER, IMHO.

Holy Crap! What I love about the information source, is that it is taken from UO Athletic Budget numbers...and 2025 revenue numbers for Oregon are taking into account the lower share distribution...and even then--it will be over TWICE what we would have had with the Pac-12 offer from Apple. Even if we had taken the 30 million ESPN offer per school--we would be nearly double that this year! Beavis says...."You zeros claim you left because it was about survival?" Yes, Beavis, as the numbers are already evident. Besides...aren't you stealing 100 million from the ten former Pac-12 members and claiming that YOU needed it for survival? Beavis says...."You zeros destroyed the conference, as it will never be the same." Look Beavis, we did not want to go until the last minute, and it is evident we made the right decision. Besides, when discussing destroying a conference....what did you do to the Mountain West? Hey Beavis...

I wanted to cover this new blocking technique trend on the offensive line first, but in reference to the 11 sacks? I have an analysis coming up, that will cover a previously unknown nugget within that area. (New to me too!) I am quite confident that nobody else is covering what is in today’s analysis, or the next one!

Very cool, and great article!

Thanks, as I noticed last year that the left side of the offensive line was doing a great job of sealing the defense to the inside when running outside. But those were veterans, and now when I see RS Freshmen employing this technique? It means that Coach Terry is implementing this adjustment from the beginning now with all offensive linemen. For those who have not watched...the videos are very short, and it is an easy, short read! Now THAT is a running lane!

This seeding by D1Baseball is encouraging, as Oregon is a No. 13 overall seed and hosting a Regional. Oregon State would be hosting as well, in addition to UCLA hosting. Iowa would make the field as a No. 3 Regional Seed... 2025 D1Baseball Field Of 64 Projections: May 6 • D1Baseball D1BASEBALL.COM Another wild weekend of action means there are new top eight and top 16 seeds in our latest projections.

Neville Homers Again, Ducks Pick Up Midweek Win EUGENE, Ore. — Mason Neville hit his nation’s best 24th home run and Anson Aroz added a three-run shot, while Ian Umlandt had a stellar outing out of the bullpen to lead No. 5 Oregon to a 6-3 nonconference win over Saint Mary’s on Tuesday at PK Park. Umlandt (5-1) inherited a one-run lead when he came out of the pen to start the second inning and proceeded to allow just one run on five hits over 6.2 innings of work to pick up the win. Umlandt relieved Oregon starter Toby Twist who was on a limited pitch count in his first game back on the mound after missing most of last season as well as Oregon’s first 46 games this season while recovering from an injury. How It Happened: Saint Mary’s (26-21) scored a pair of runs in the top of the first, but Oregon (34-13) rallied in its half of the inning scoring three. Freshman catcher Coen Niclai doubled with one out before moving to third and Drew Smith walked to put runners on the corners. Aroz followed with a three-run home run, his third homer in the last three games. Oregon added to the lead in the third when Neville launched a solo homer over the right-field wall for a 4-2 lead. Mason Neville SMC cut the lead to one with a fourth-inning run, but Oregon tacked on two runs of its own in the bottom of the sixth. After loading the bases with two walks and a hit-by-pitch, Carter Garate picked up an RBI with a fielder’s choice and Neville added his second run batted in with a sacrifice fly for a 6-3 lead. Cole Stokes and Santiago Garcia combined to get the last four outs in the win. Stokes got a ground out with runners on first and second to end the eighth. Garcia picked up the save tossing a scoreless ninth. Box Score Notes: Drew Smith made his 100th career start at Oregon, but just his first in center field … Twist made his first appearance on the mound since March 9, 2024, when he went 4.0 innings at Arizona State … Oregon’s two home runs gives the Ducks 90 on the season … Aroz slugged his 14th long of the season, moving him into a tie for ninth on Oregon’s single-season home run list … Neville had his 15th multiple-RBI game of the season and the 26th of his career … He moved into a tie for ninth on the Oregon single-season multiple-RBI list … Aroz had his 14th multi-RBI game of the year and the 21st of his career … Umlandt’s win was the 10th of his career … Garcia picked up his third save of the season. On Deck: Oregon and Saint Mary’s wrap up the two-game series on Wednesday with a 6:05 p.m. first pitch (B1G+). Quotes: Head Coach Mark Wasikowski On overall performance... “Tremendous defense by Carter Garate. Had some clutch swings by Mason Neville, another home run and a sacrifice fly was tremendous. There were some good situational type at-bats. I thought the bullpen was really good, to be able to go to Cole Stokes and Santiago Garcia after Ian Umlandt did his job. Great to have the lefty out there too, Toby Twist getting the ball for the first time after an injury. Getting him back in the mix is going to be really helpful moving down the stretch.” On rotation in starting lineup... “Coen Niclai did a nice job behind the plate. He got a good swing off early in the game for a double. I think he scored later after that. Parker Stinson played well when we were at Michigan State. He had three at-bats, two of them were really good so we wanted to see a little bit more of him. All those guys are interchangeable, but Drew Smith is fast. He can run the ball down, and he’s just been a really good player for us.” On defensive performance... “It’s tremendous. You have to keep the runs off the board too. Carter Garate did that at the end of the game. Jacob Walsh did that too, to be able to go with the 3U on their best hitter, Eddie Madrigal, that was huge. Walsh is so good over at first base. The defense was spot on tonight.” Ian Umlandt Ian Umlandt On meaning of performance… “It means a lot, but I just try to enjoy every day that I get an opportunity to get the ball. We talk a lot about perspective. And so, there’s a lot of people who would give up a lot to be in the position that both me, individually, and us as a team are in. And so, just the true enjoyment of the opportunity and being on that day is something that I try to focus on. And being present, obviously, out there at all times. But other than that, it’s just finding the enjoyment every day, whether it’s practice or a game. That’s something that I’ve really tried to buy into, and I feel like it’s helped me become a better pitcher and also a better human.” On flexibility in role within the pitching staff… “It’s been different here and there each week. Starting a midweek, coming in on a weekend, pitching out of the pen on a Friday, so, it’s been different. Last year I didn’t pitch a whole lot, but I made four midweek starts. That was my year. So, this year having so many different roles, it’s been fun. It’s also difficult at times, trying to balance the body and the workload and the life of a reliever and also the life of a starter. I knew I had the game after [Toby] Twist was done, so that was nice. But just like I told Brady, just the opportunity and just having a true enjoyment of that, being grateful that it’s an opportunity and just trying my best to run with it.” Mason Neville On confidence in the outfield... “We work our tails off day in and day out and we’ve had some different guys out there since the fall, just getting work out there. We’re athletes at the end of the day and so I have total confidence in anyone really to go out there. Walsh played a great left field last weekend, Drew out in center now, Anson, I mean anybody can go out there and get the job done. We do a really good job with our outfield here.” On role as designated hitter... “It’s definitely a mindset kind of flip. A lot of times if you have a bad at bat you can out to the outfield and focus on defense and it helps kind of flushing it out. So maybe just getting your mind off it for a little bit and just talking to a coach or someone on the bench, I feel like that's beneficial. But just staying locked in on hitting, really just doing whatever I can to help the team win.” Toby Twist On Toby Twist’s return from injury... “We’re pumped for him. He’s an absolute beast and to get him back when we really need him is huge. Whatever he throws out there we know he’s going to do what he does. He has tons of support, and we were pumped to see him back out there.” Anson Aroz On a competitive first inning... “We had a lot of guys running into the dugout after that first half inning just saying, win the inning. So, they score two, you score three or more. To have the opportunity to do it was huge. Not that I was making an attempt to do it in one swing, but getting runners on, we had guys ready to score.” On having guys ready to play anywhere at anytime... “We’ve got guys that are ready to go when their names are called, bunch of good athletes out there, and guys that are willing to put in the effort once that game is going. So, whoever it is, Drew Smith, he's stepping up and playing a really solid outfield for us and just being that utility player that we really need, as well as those other guys. Jeffrey Heard picking up late innings. We’re missing a guy like Mason, Parker Stinson running out there. It is pretty interchangeable. I think that goes back to our work and the trust Waz has in us that we have in the end.”

Ducks win 6-3, as Santiago Garcia finishes it off with a massive curve ball for strike three on the St. Mary's batter. Before that...a crushed high, line-drive was caught by Jacob Walsh at the top of his jumping radius. Because it was a hit-and-run...the runner was nearly at second, so all Walsh had to do was walk over and touch first base for the double play. If he had not caught that ball headed for the corner... incredible play!

6-3 Ducks after eight innings, as Cole Stokes came in after two outs, plinked a batter, and then got the out. Three more outs!

6-3 Ducks after seven innings! Ian Umlandt has been a rock star, as the Gaels cannot hit him with any consistency.