Charles Fischer

6-3 Ducks after eight innings. Ryan Featherston was doing well...until he gave up a two-run Homer over RF. Three more outs!

6-1 Ducks after seven innings. It was getting to "nervous" time! Josh Hollis had four straight strikeouts to bring it to two outs, but then Ryan Featherston was called from the bullpen to strike the batter out! Coach Waz made an interesting move to pull catcher Brayden Jaksa and put veteran catcher Burke-Lee Mabeus in to bat...and he hits a line-drive over the RF wall! Josh Schleichardt got plinked, and Elijah Cook took over at first as a pinch-runner. Ryan Cooney singles into short RF, and Cook flies to third. Jax Gimenez then walks to load the bases....with Dominic Hellman coming up? He did not disappoint as he smashed the first pitch of a new reliever to the wall to give him a double, and clear the other bases for three runs scored! Gabe Miranda's bat is sure waking up lately, as he hit a double off the RF wall to score Hellman! That was such a beautiful swing...

1-1 after six innings, and Josh Hollis looked good putting them down 1-2-3. We finally got the opposing starting pitcher out, but their reliever is no help for the Good-Guys as we got nothing.

1-1 after five innings. Highly regarded true freshman Oregon pitcher Josh Hollis takes over, and while he has taken some lumps in the earlier games--those forge the experience needed for continued innings to build his confidence. He kept Xavier scoreless as the fielding made some great plays to assist him.

1-1 after four innings. Michael Meckna gave up a hit, who then took second...who was then picked-off on a wonderful example of teamwork between Meckna and Ryan Cooney. He kept them scoreless, and is emerging as a reliable option in the Oregon bullpen. The Musketeer pitching is much better this game, and kept us handcuffed.

1-1 after three innings. Leo Uelmen looked much better than we had seen in the past, but with two outs and runners on the corners...Oregon decided to bring in Michael Meckna. Breaking in Ulemen gradually is a good idea, and he looks like another piece to build in the bullpen. Meckna gave up a hit to allow Xavier their first run, but with a huge moment with bases loaded...got the strikeout!

1-0 Ducks after two innings. Leo Uelmen has a nasty inside curve, and a deceptive changeup to compliment his fast ball. The highlight of the inning was a great low catch by Maddox Molony, and then he scrambles on the turf to get to second base to put that runner out. Double Play! Gabe Miranda got a hit through the RF shift against him, and Drew Smith was plinked. Then comes our new DH for this game RSFr. Naulivou Lauaki, another big-guy on the team at 6'5" 265 pounds...who nails one through the LF/CF gap to score Miranda. Oregon stranded two on base...

0-0 after one inning. The surprise starter is Leo Ulemen, who was a big recruit years ago, and sat out most of the last year and a half due to injuries. He gave up a double to the lead off hitter, who got to third on a wild pitch. Then...the throw from the outfield on a caught fly was overthrown to the backstop, and that was an invitation for the runner to take home. But Ulemen got to the ball in time and fired it to Brayden Jaksa, who made the tag at home for the out! He also had a strikeout on the final batter to get him through a nervous first inning unscathed. Good for him!

Everyone is welcome to join in, and I have no idea who we are starting today...

They have a link in the article to the 25 minute podcast/interview, and to hear it all gives you more perspective. For one...he is humble, and knows what an incredible opportunity he has, but he is also confident because he has called plays to two other D-1 programs before and was the voice in the booth for Will Stein. He called himself, "even-keeled and analytical" which is important in the heat of so many big moments, so many big plays needed. He was offering information and advice to Stein at every play, and Lanning listened to all of it in his headset. There were three items (below) from the interview that I thought was important that the article above did not touch upon. Booth: When asked about whether he would be on the field or in the booth this year...he hedged at first to say that they will make that decision later. But later he admitted that he has a better view above, and because he and Dante know each other so well--it was not as crucial for him to be on the field. Everytime the game cameras showing Moore on the field phone and looking at a pad with formations on it...he was talking to Mehringer. So my bet is that he will be in the booth this year. Balance: When asked his offense preferences...he firmly spoke of a Balanced Offense being crucial, and able to attack through both the ground and air. He taught tight ends how to block, so I know he loves the running game, but he also made hay with their pass catching abilities, so he loves that side of the offense as well. He emphasized determining our offense's strengths, and playing to those strengths based on the personnel, the game, and the situation. Bird-Bombs! I know that fellow Duck-Buddy Mike West and I have been clamoring for more long-balls, and Mehringer brought that up on his own and reminded everyone that it is easier to complete a 50 yard bomb, than it is to create a 50 yard explosion run. He stated that we have the players who can implement those attacks, and that he would be looking to include it more in the offense. My Reaction to That was Muted...

I am glad to see Cavanaugh back, but he is an analyst, not an assistant coach as Coach Terry is. Thanks for posting the article, as it answered our earlier questions...will Mehringer be both TEs coach and OC, or QB coach and OC? The answer is neither, as he will just be the OC, and they hired Koa Ka'ai for QB coach, (who I know nothing about) and the new tight ends coach is Jack Smith. (Who I also know nothing about) But I trust in Lanning!

The Drop-Kick is a lost art, and this rule could revive interest in it. Problem is...those who did it well have long since passed.

Amen. In tournaments you need a fourth or fifth pitcher as you progress, and often it is at crunch time. This was an important building block of confidence for him because he almost blew the first inning. But he came back and gradually refined his control and then really did well.

OREGON ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2026 BASEBALL | @OregonBaseball Ducks Run Rule Xavier in Win EUGENE, Ore. — Jax Gimenez belted a grand slam while three Oregon pitchers combined on a one-hitter in Oregon’s 10-0 (8-inning) win over Xavier in game one of their two-game midweek nonconference series at PK Park on Tuesday. Toby Twist, making his second start of the season, surrendered just one hit in five innings of work to pick up the win. Twist (2-0) matched a career high in innings pitched while also tying his career best with six strikeouts. Tanner Bradley and Blake Crawford combined to toss three hitless innings out of the bullpen with both striking out three Musketeer batters. Gimenez hit one of two Oregon homers in the game. Drew Smith added his sixth long ball of the season to tie freshman Angel Laya or the team lead. How It Happened: Oregon (13-3) jumped out early, scoring five runs in the bottom of the second. After Smith walked and Laya singled to put runners on the corners, Burke-Lee Mabeus drove in Smith with an infield hit to the second baseman. Ryan Cooney loaded the bases with a bunt single, before Gimenez belted a 384-foot blast over the center-field wall for a grand slam and a 5-0 lead. Toby Twist Oregon tacked on another run in the third inning when Smith led off the frame and hit the first pitch he saw 420 feet over the scoreboard in left field. The Ducks added two more runs in the fourth inning to push the lead to 8-0 without the benefit of a hit. UO loaded the bases with a walk, hit-by-pitch and a throwing error on a force play at second. A Gabe Miranda ground out and a Maddox Molony sacrifice fly to right field drove in the runs. The Ducks swiped another run in the fifth. With two outs, Brayden Jaksa intentionally got in a rundown while attempting to steal second. Mabeus took advantage and scored from third before Jaksa was tagged out. The Ducks finished Xavier (5-12) off in the bottom of the eighth. Cooney reached on an infield single and moved to second on Gimenez’s second hit of the day. Pinch hitter Naulivou Lauaki Jr. then collected his second pinch hit in as many games driving in Cooney to end the game. Box Score Notes: Jaksa made his first career start in right field while Laya started his first game in left field … Gimenez’s grand slam was the third hit this season by the Ducks … Gimenez, Cooney, Miranda and Mabeus all finished with two hits … Oregon’s pitching staff combined for 12 strikeouts, the 10th time this season Oregon has double-digit strikeouts … On Deck: The Ducks and Musketeers wrap up their two-game midweek series on Wednesday. First pitch is at 3:05 p.m. Quotes: Head Coach Mark Wasikowski On if Toby Twist is emerging as a mid-week starter… “I don’t know, good question. We’ll probably break that down and talk about it in the coaches’ room. Toby is really good. He wasn’t super sharp at the beginning, but he was able to find it. He turned what was a bit of an interesting start into something that was really positive and productive for him. We got the win. He pitched well and really found his rhythm. It took him a little bit to get a feel for things. I was just happy with his resilience.” On what he liked from the bullpen pitchers… “There is a lot of talent down there. I’ve said it a lot: the experience piece is a big thing. We don’t have a bunch of guys who have a ton of experience. The only way they are going to get that experience is to actually pitch in these games. Every day is good from an experience standpoint. It’s not totally pretty and smooth yet, but I hope they continue to progress by the end of the year. There is a lot of arm talent down there.” On what he liked from Brayden Jaksa at centerfield and why Jack Brooks wasn’t there… “Jack Brooks went into the wall the other day at Purdue. He is not 100% right now. Nevertheless, Jack was our starting centerfielder, so we needed to make adjustments. Brayden Jaksa is a really talented player and getting him more plate appearances and finding places for him to play is great.” On how big Gimenez’s second home run with the Ducks is… “It’s really big. He is a talented player and a really athletic kid. His having more experience now and gaining more experience by the day is only going to help him and us as a team.” Toby Twist On his defense being able to support him... “It’s great. I feel comfortable with the guys behind me while I’m making my pitches.” On getting more strikeouts without giving up runs... “Nothing changes. Strikeouts happen. I just try to make pitches and get ahead when I can to bury guys.” On a shaky first inning... “It was a weird first inning. I was getting behind in counts and things weren't going my way, but it was good to get ahead.” Jax Gimenez and Ducks celebrate his Grand Slam... Jax Gimenez On his grand slam and good team performance... “I think the biggest thing is the team performance. Last week our biggest thing was the day after an off day, making sure we show up midweek. With back-to-back weeks coming back from being on the road, last week we didn’t show up. I think we beat ourselves last week, and the goal was to come out and play our game today, and we did that really well. Overall, I liked how we bounced back this week as a team.” On batting behind great players... “I bat behind Ryan Cooney, who’s one of the best lead-off hitters in the country, and I have Dominic Hellman and the rest of the team behind me to help clean it up. It helps when you’re surrounded by those guys, and everyone, top to bottom, does their job. When we do our job, we’re good, but it doesn’t hurt to come up with the bases loaded and be able to get guys home. On his thoughts of his increased performance... “I try to do what I do well. I feel like when I play my game, I’m successful. It’s still early in the year, so I can continue to learn a lot. There’s a lot of season left ahead. There are things today, both offensively and defensively, that I could’ve done better, so I’ll keep continuing to grow from each game, but I think I’ve done a good job at that so far.” On gaining power while staying efficient... “I think I’m at my best in two-strike hitting, bunting, slashing, doing whatever it is I need to be doing. I need to execute what is being called. I’m not trying to hit home runs, that’s when I am at my worst. I try to keep the ball low right through the middle of the field. I think that’s done in the weight room. I try not to overswing. Today, I struck out at my first at bat. I think I was doing too much and chasing the 3-2 pitch for a strikeout. For my second at bat, I tried to get a good swing on it, which is where the power comes. I think I’ll keep continuing to elevate my hits and the power will come from that.”

Oregon Run-Rules Xavier 10-0 in the eighth inning. Redshirt freshman from West Linn, Blake Crawford, a 6'4" lefty got some good experience in striking out the side! Ryan Cooney gets on base due to a fielding error, and Jax Gimenez hits a mid-field looper between 1st and 2nd to get on base. Redshirt freshman Naulivou Lauaki Jr. got a hit up the middle to score Cooney...and the game was declared! MUCH better pitching for this mid-week game than last week versus Beavis. Another tomorrow at 3:00 PM PST!

9-0 Ducks after seven innings. Tanner Bradley did not take long in the rain... Look at the action on his pitch...

9-0 Ducks after six innings. They brought Tanner Bradley out and he put the Musketeers down 1-2-3. Perhaps they just wanted him a have an inning's worth of work to stay sharp?

9-0 Ducks after five innings. Toby Twist puts them down 1-2-3 and looks good! Burke-Lee Mabeus hits down the RF line for a double. Brayden Jaksa got plinked, and Ryan Cooney sac-flies to move Mabeus to third. Jaksa gets caught in a hot-box, or run-down, and while he is distracting them between first and second...Mabeus slips into home before they record the out--to score another!

8-0 Ducks after four innings, as Toby Twist looks sharp for another scoreless inning. Great to have a good pitcher for mid-week games! Ryan Cooney walks, Jax Gimenez got plinked, and Dominic Hellman hits to the SS, who threw to wide to second, thus Gimenez was safe to set up Ducks on the Pond! Gabe Miranda grounds out, but scores Cooney. Maddox Molony sac-flies to score Gimenez. We're cooking!

6-0 Ducks after three innings. Toby Twist kept Xavier scoreless again! Drew Smith hit a MOONSHOT that did not just clear the wall, but over the scoreboard!

5-0 Ducks after two innings. Toby Twist was really getting his control going--even in the rain. He put them down 1-2-3... Drew Smith walked, and Angel Laya hit a jammed single blooper in short right/center field as Smith jets to third. Burke-Lee Mabeus hits a high-hop infield single to get on base as Smith scores. Brayden Jaksa does sac-fly to move Laya to third, and the Ryan Cooney bunted perfect down the first base line to beat the throw! At this point we have Ducks-on-the-Pond! (Bases loaded) Then Jax Gimenez hits over the CF wall for a GRAND SLAM!

0-0 after one inning. Toby Twist is the pitcher for Oregon, and he has quite a sweeping curve from his left-handed throws. Between a walk, a plinked batter, and some controversy over another play--the Musketeers loaded the bases. But Twist created two pop-ups to finish the inning! We have position switches for this game as CF Jack Brooks is taking a break, while Jax Gimenez moves from LF to CF. Angel Laya moves from RF to LF, and Brandon Jaska comes on the field to RF. Jaska is hitting over .350 and thus a good reason to get him on the field with Burke-Lee Mabeus catching. Oregon left stranded again...yikes!

Like Schmidt...I know nothing about our starting pitcher or the opposing pitcher, so it will be part of the entertainment today!

Now, form charts turn out true about as often as our March Madness brackets do. You have false starts, injuries, sickness...or an athlete has a bad day for your team. Or the other teams have a bad day, that opens the door for your team. That happened in the B1G Womens Indoor Championships, as ChileDuck told me that "Illinois has a powerful team this year, and I don't see the Ducks passing them." Then he texts me on Friday to explain that some Illini female athletes did not come through with the points expected....and there is a crack in the door for Oregon. Well, the Women of Oregon busted through that door to win the B1G Indoor Track Championship along with the Men! You can see the form chart predictions below, thanks to ChileDuck. The top one is the Mens, and the bottom shows how strong the Womens Illinois team is. Go Big-10!

OREGON ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | MONDAY, MARCH 9, 2026 BASEBALL | @OregonBaseball Laya Claims Second B1G Freshman of the Week Honor EUGENE, Ore. – Four weeks into the season, Oregon true freshman Angel Laya has now claimed the Big Ten Conference Freshman of the Week honor twice. Laya’s latest award came after a big week in a midweek game against Oregon State and a weekend conference series win at Purdue. Laya continued his hot start slashing .400/.500/1.133 with a 1.633 OPS in Oregon’s four games while belting three home runs and scoring six runs. He was instrumental in securing a road conference series win at Purdue by slashing .364/.500/.909 with a 1.409 OPS while hitting a pair of home runs and scoring four runs. Angel Laya at Purdue In Oregon's series-clinching win on Sunday, Laya homered twice while going 4-for-5 with four RBI and four runs scored. In a Tuesday matchup with No. 18 Oregon State, the Ducks' right fielder homered and tripled while going 2-for-4 with three RBI and two runs scored. On the season, Laya did not strike out until his 39th plate appearance of the season and has just three Ks in 61 plate appearances while slashing .370/.443/.778 with a team-high six home runs. 2026 Laya Honors Co-Big Ten Freshman of the Week (3/9/26) Live Like Lou Las Vegas College Baseball Classic All-Tournament Team (3/1/26) Perfect Game National Freshman of the Week (2/17/26) Big Ten Freshman of the Week (2/16/26) Oregon All-Time Big Ten Freshman of the Week Honors Angel Laya (3/9/26) Angel Laya (2/16/26) Burke-Lee Mabeus (2/24/25)