Oregon baseball is ranked sixth in the first collegiate baseball poll of the preseason. The Ducks finished their 2013 campaign 48-16 including a trip to the Regional Final of the NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament.

Key returning players include preseason third team All-America selection Cole Irvin (LHP), infielder Mitchell Tolman, starting pitcher Tommy Thorpe and reliever Garrett Cleavinger. The Ducks did lose some players early to the pros, including first baseman Ryon Healy, outfielder Brett Thomas, closer Jimmie Sherfy and pitcher Cole Wiper, but add incoming freshman Matt Krook, who was drafted by the Miami Marlins but didn’t sign.

Oregon landed the sixth best recruiting class in the nation according to Perfect Game USA via GoDucks.com. The class includes catcher Alex Jackson, the nation’s third best overall prospect.

Oregon will host top-ranked Cal State Fullerton at PK Park from Feb. 28 to March 2, the first time head coach George Horton will face his former team at home.  The Ducks lost two of three to the Titans last spring in Fullerton.

PK Park will play host to other ranked opponents. No. 24 Arizona will visit on May 2 for a three-game series, followed immediately by a visit from No. 4 Oregon State on May 6. The Beavers travel to Eugene again on May 20 to wrap up the Civil War series.

Follow Madison Guernsey on Twitter @guernseymd