This weekend the Oregon Ducks are visiting the Spartans at McLane Baseball Stadium for a three-game set. The Ducks have an 11-9 overall record this season and will look to get their season back on track. Here are some key things to look for before game one starts on Friday, with first pitch set for 3:05 p.m.
Five things to know about Oregon before their weekend set with the Spartans
The Ducks are in a slump
Coming into this weekend series, Oregon has lost 7 of their last 10 games, including a four-game losing streak that entailed a sweep to Mississippi State and a series against Utah, during which the Ducks lost two of three games. The Ducks are 2-4 in conference play this season, which puts them at ninth in the Pac-12 standings.
Pitching
Although the Ducks are struggling to hit the ball, Oregon ranks among the best in the Pac-12 in pitching. Oregon ranks third in the conference as of Thursday evening with a 3.23 ERA and holds opponents to a .223 batting average. As a team, the Oregon pitching staff has struck out 183 batters, which ranks good enough for fourth in the Pac-12.
Stud Starters and a good bullpen
Starting pitchers David Peterson and Cole Irvin are leading the helm of the Oregon rotation this season. In five outings this season, Peterson has a 1.42 ERA, has struck out 33 batters and has only walked 11, while holding opponents to a 2.02 ERA this season.
Irvin has also been very efficient for the Ducks this season. The junior lefty has a 2.66 ERA through 40.2 innings of work. Irvin has struck out 44 while only walking 6 batters so far.
Four of Oregon’s relievers also have ERA’s south of 2.00, including Brac Warren with 0.00, Jack Karraker at 0.00, Stephen Nogosek with 1.72 and Cooper Stiles. The four have racked up a combined 36 strikeouts through 30.5 innings of work this season,
Depth on the bench
Two players on Oregon’s bench have batting averages at .400 or higher, and those players are sophomore infielder Kyle Kasser with .444 and freshman utility player Jake Bennett with .400. The two combined are hitting 22-for-52 at the dish, with six extra-base hits, nine runs scored and 11 RBI’s off the bench.
They’re struggling offensively
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Coming into this weekend against the Spartans, the Ducks will be looking swing the bats early and often. Oregon is currently hitting .212 as a team, which ranks dead last in the Pac-12 Conference. The Ducks also rank last in the Pac-12 with a .639 OPS and are tied for the least amount of total bases in the conference.
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