Charles Fischer

Holy Crap! We are getting our butts-kicked, 7-0 Minnesota after three innings. Oregon's starter Will Sanford was having a VERY bad day, with wild pitches, three walks in second inning alone...and they were hitting his stuff easily. The first Duck reliever came in to give up a hit, and walked a batter, and the second reliever, Ian Umlandt was giving up hits as well. It is not our day. Remember, that Minnesota has a win over No. 8 Oregon State, and both their losses to Oregon came down to one batter who still could have won the game for them. The Gophers are playing great, and between them doing so well, and the Ducks stinking things up...that is how it piles up on you quickly. I will continue to post scores of this game, but not timely unless we are making a comeback. I gotta fast-forward after letting it record long enough because...

1-0 Minnesota after two innings. Oregon's pitcher-Sanford gave up a couple of hits, and the Gopher pitcher has been good enough at the right moments.

0-0 after one inning, and we were fortunate to have that as Oregon starter Will Sanford did not have the control he wanted after waiting an extra five hours to pitch. He gave up a hit and two walks to load the bases with a strikeout for one out...and then generated a double-play to end the inning. Whew! Then Oregon did the almost the same, as we loaded the bases, and stranded them there...

The B1G got eight teams into the Tournament: Oregon No. 5 Seed Michigan No. 5 Maryland No. 4 Michigan State No. 2 UCLA No. 7 Illinois No. 6 Purdue No. 4 Wisconsin No. 3

Oregon plays Liberty in Seattle-- And if the Ducks win...we get our old Pac-12 Rival Arizona... You can see the full bracket right here....

OK...the game is moved again to 5:20 PM, which means the probability of rain simply declines, but does not change much. I personally do not know how they could play, as it is a steady pouring rain where the pitchers mound would be a muddy-mess in less than two innings. Oregon has played games where it is a massive downpour for a while, but this is pretty steady with big drops. A winter kind of day... Grayson Grinsell in the rain last year...

This is a great idea, as portal transfers in Baseball will be looking at NIL numbers, and a typical Baseball team has 35 members, but there are only 11.7 scholarships available per NCAA rules. Donors launch business entity to support Oregon baseball program scholarships, NIL funding WWW.OREGONLIVE.COM Diamond Ducks has a goal of funding additional baseball scholarships and create more streams to support funding of NIL for players.

Good gosh the rain looks like it is going to go on ALL-DAY according to the weather reports, but the chances of skies clearing improve into the afternoon, so the gametime is moved from noon to 2:00 PM PST at PK Park. This is for a sweep, and I am not sure if Oregon has ever started a conference season before doing this, so it would be special. Plus...with our RPI, we need to win every game we can for Playoff seeding later.

SIDEARM Integrations GODUCKS.COM The Ducks scored 47 of their 55 points on day two of the national meet.

Clarke Dominates, Ducks Clinch Series with Minnesota EUGENE, Ore. — Oregon starter Collin Clarke outdueled Minnesota starter Kyle Remington on Saturday leading the No. 9 Ducks to a 4-2 series-clinching Big Ten Conference win at PK Park. The two starters allowed just one unearned run each through the first six innings before Oregon (17-3, 5-0 Big Ten) finally got its offense going. Clarke (2-0) picked up the win allowing just the one unearned run while matching career highs in strikeouts (8) and innings pitched (7.0). The Ducks’ sophomore retired the side in order three times, in the first, fourth and sixth innings, while fanning a pair of hitters in the same inning twice. How It Happened: The teams exchange unearned runs over the first six innings. After Minnesota scored on a Ducks’ throwing error in the third, Oregon answered with an unearned run of its own in the fifth. Ryan Cooney reached on an error on the Gophers’ shortstop and moved to third on a Carter Garate looping opposite field double into shallow left field. Mason Neville picked up the RBI with a sacrifice fly scoring Cooney to tie the game. Oregon took its first lead in the bottom of the seventh scoring a pair of runs. Jeffery Heard doubled to lead off the inning, before Jack Brooks pinch ran for him. Cooney doubled down the left-field line scoring Brooks, before moving to third on a Garate sacrifice bunt. Neville followed with a single to right for his second RBI of the day and a two-run Oregon lead. Oregon pushed the lead to three in the bottom of the eighth inning. The Ducks loaded the bases before Cooney drew a walk for his second run batted in and a 4-1 lead. Minnesota (7-10, 1-4 Big Ten) added a run in the top of the ninth, but Ryan Featherston got Jake Perry to ground into a game-ending double play with Cooney tagging the runner out before tossing to first for the final out. Box Score Notes: With the series clinching win, Oregon has now won all five weekend series this season … Oregon had its streak of consecutive games with a home run snapped at seven … Neville extended his hitting streak to 13 games, while Cooney pushed his hitting streak to 12 games … Cooney has now reached base in 19 straight games … Clarke’s quality start is his team-leading third of the season. On Deck: Oregon will look for the series sweep on Sunday when the Ducks and Gophers meet. First pitch is scheduled for 12:05 p.m. Collin Clarke Quotes: Head Coach Mark Wasikowski On team’s overall performance... “Yeah, tough elements, and they battled through it and played another clean game. You know, really excited of the effort that they were able to throw out there with the conditions, especially early in the game, were really tough. They were able to just kind of hang with it and then find a way to get it done there at the end of the game.” On Collin Clarke’s performance... “Really good, like, really good. In command of the game the whole time, extended the start through seven innings, which is great. We haven't been able to get that done consistently at all, and we're calling to be able to go seven strong innings like that is really big for our pitching staff.” On Minnesota’s starters performance... “He probably did it a little bit of a different way, but still, his strike percentage was close to 70% with his pitches, and he was getting it under the string when he needed to. And it was a fun game to watch. It was a pitcher's duel, and both kids really battled.” On Ryan Cooney bouncing back defensively.. “Well, he was resilient, right? For me, I think it was really challenging. Early in the game when all that stuff is going on and I just thought, Ryan's toughness to be able to do what he did as the game progressed, he was a critical piece to win.” Ryan Cooney On consistency at bottom of the lineup… “I think it’s awesome, especially for Heard today with that back side double which really sparked us. And then Carter and I do our best to turn the lineup over because we have those big hitters up top. I think we’re just consistent down there and that’s what helps.” On hitting approach…. “I think I’ve matured in my approach overall and physically matured as well, but mostly the approach thing. Not swinging at a ton of bad pitches like I did last year and working with the coaches as well.” On Collin Clarke’s performance… “Confidence. I think that he’s developed not only his stuff, but his confidence. Every time he goes out there, he competes really, really hard and it’s really easy to play behind him.” Mason Neville On batting first with support from bottom of lineup… “It’s awesome having the opportunity to start the game off and put a big statement out there with the lead off at-bat is awesome. But coming up the second time with some guys on base is what you want. Kudos to them, they’re dominant right now at the bottom of the lineup. They’re grinding out at-bats and getting on base whatever way they can.” On offensive performance… “We definitely have the power, but you’re not going to hit home runs every game. You have to find ways to get hits, especially when the wind is blowing in pretty hard. Can’t try to get too big and pop the ball up and make easy outs for them. Just got to keep the ball low and try to put good swings on the ball. Being able to hit and not rely on home runs is huge. It shows a complete offense in my opinion.” On momentum after Grand Canyon series… “I think we built pretty well. To come out here and battle the game and battle these conditions. Yes, we have power, but we can hit too and control an offense. I think that’s huge.” Collin Clarke On pitching consistently… “I think I always had the consistency, but pitch wise, I wasn’t always there. Putting in the work this fall really helped that. On energy with Burke-Lee Mabeus after final two outs… “It’s awesome, I mean that’s what I play for. It’s just that kind of competitiveness from the both of us. Nothing feels better to be honest.” On competition on rainy days… “I would say it drives me every time. Even today, when the other pitcher is doing well too. It was pretty close.”

Thank you Bruce, for all the great news. A good day to be a Duck!

The B1G has to be pretty pleased with adding Oregon....

Our Beloved Ducks went out and BURIED the competition!

We're so lucky to have Bruce writing about this in advance, and keeping us up to date. Incredible! An EIGHTH 'Natty for the Women of Oregon!

Ducks WIN 4-2 on a spectacular double play by second baseman, and The Pride of Portland, Ryan Cooney! He fields the grounder, tags the runner going to second, and fires to first in time for the final out! Annie was right, as it rained continuously through the game. It created errors and bad pitches, but WE ARE DUCKS!

4-1 Ducks after eight innings! Now it is up to Ryan Featherston to finish it...

Well, I was of little faith as Duck reliever Ryan Featherston put the Gophers down 1-2-3 in the inning. Both Oregon starting pitchers have been superb this weekend by not allowing a single earned run. Grayson Grinsell was superb yesterday, and Collin Clarke was impressive today. Our Beloved Ducks are up to bat for the bottom of the eighth inning!

3-1 Ducks after seven innings! We see the Minnesota pitcher wear down and get replaced, while Oregon got some timely hits to create a lead! Now...can Ryan Featherston hold off the Gophers?

Still 1-1 after six innings, as Oregon's Collin Clarke has been awesome, but so has the Minnesota pitcher been dealing.

1-1 after five innings, as errors create scoring. Yesterday, Oregon got a four run inning initiated by a Minnesota throwing error, while the Gopher run today was brought about by a Duck infield throwing error. Then the Gopher shortstop drops a routine ground ball, and the runner ends up scoring for the Ducks on a sacrifice fly. Collin Clarke has been nails thus far for Mighty Oregon, but he is up to 82 pitches...

No change after four innings, as the Golden Gopher pitcher has been superb.

1-0 Minnesota after three innings on an unearned run. Damn! SGO Ducks!

Game summary is at the bottom of the thread! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 0-0 after two innings. Oregon starting pitcher Collin Clarke looks sharp thus far. Let's win the series in the rain...after all, we are the Ducks!

Grein Shuts Out UW, 9-0, to Open Big Ten Play SEATTLE – Katie Flannery homered twice and drove in five runs to back a dominant pitching performance by Lyndsey Grein as No. 8 Oregon opened Big Ten play with a 9-0, six-inning defeat of Washington in front of 1,462 Friday at Husky Softball Stadium. “I think it's important that we can handle the road,” said coach Melyssa Lombardi, whose Ducks shut out Washington in Seattle for the first time since 2011 . “This is a tough venue to play at.” Grein struck out 11 – one shy of her career high – and allowed only two hits. She has not allowed a run in her last four starts. Rylee McCoy hit her team-leading 10th home run of the season. “It's awesome for us,” said Flannery. “We're seeing everybody work, and all cylinders were working for us today. “Lyndsey was amazing. Our hitting was great and our defense had their backs. Seeing all of that, especially in an away game, is awesome.” How It Happened: The Ducks (25-2, 1-0) scored in the second, third, fifth and sixth innings. Kedre Luschar’s double in the second inning that extended her hitting streak to 14 games helped give the Ducks a 1-0 lead. McCoy led the inning off with a single before Luschar’s double chased McCoy around to third. She scored on Stefini Ma’ake’s sacrifice fly. The Ducks added three more runs in the top of the third. With Kai Luschar on base, Katie Flannery drove a pitch out to right center. Her fifth homer of the season made it 3-0. McCoy kept the inning going with a double – her second hit of the game – and scored on Kedre Luschar’s single into center for a 4-0 advantage. “Rylee was taking good swings at the plate,” said Lombardi. “I feel like Rylee is continuing on with what she's been doing all year.” The Huskies (20-8, 0-1) threatened in the bottom of the third with two on and two out. But Grein struck out Alexis DeBoer, D1 Softball’s reigning player of the week, on a swinging strike three. “Our mindset is start fast, stay fast, finish fast so I kind of take a similar approach pitching,” said Grein. “Just get the first out and build off of that and work for my defense.” Oregon hit back-to-back home runs to make it 7-0 in the top of the fifth. Paige Sinicki led the inning off with a single before Flannery deposited her second home run of the game over left field on a hop into Lake Washington. McCoy followed with a drive out to center field. Grein walked a pair of batters with one out in the fifth, but stuck out Ava Carroll and got DeBoer to fly out to left to end the inning. The Ducks put the run rule in effect with a pair of bases loaded walks in the sixth inning. Flannery walked on a 3-1 pitch that forced in Ayanna Shaw for her fifth RBI of the game. McCoy, the next batter, walked on four straight pitches to force in Kaylynn Jones with the Ducks’ ninth run of the game. McCoy and Kai Luschar both had three hits on Friday, while Flannery and Kedre Luschar had two hits. Notable: The Ducks’ 25-2 start matches the program’s best 27-game record since going 27-2 to open the 2021 season … Kedre Luschar’s 14-game hitting streak is the longest by a Duck since Allee Bunker hit in 18 straight in 2022 … Kai Luschar stole one base to increase her season total to 31. That’s tied for seventh with Janie Takeda for seventh on the UO single-season list … It was Flannery’s first career two-homer game … Sinicki made her 156th consecutive game at shortstop … Rosa extended her hitting streak to a career-best seven games with a sixth inning single. Quotable: Infielder Katie Flannery on the performance of starting pitcher Lyndsey Grein “Every time she takes the mound, I'm just in awe. She's a different person and I just love playing behind her.” Up Next: Oregon plays Washington on the Big Ten Network Saturday at noon.