During Oregon softball season, our sports staff will discuss various topics surrounding an upcoming series. Today, Emerald sports reporters Hayden Kim, Ryan Kostecka and Jonathan Hawthorne preview Oregon’s upcoming games in Regionals.
1) What are your expectations for the Ducks heading into Regionals?
Kim — With the No. 1 overall seed, the Ducks will have a relatively easy road to Super Regionals. Similar to last year, the Ducks are the favorite in their region to advance and I fully expect them to advance with ease.
Kostecka — I expect them to cruise through Regionals and set up a possible rematch with Auburn in Super Regionals. The Ducks are clicking in all three phases of the game (except the one bad defensive game against Arizona) and they’ll just be too much to handle for any regional team.
Hawthorne — Oregon has the clear edge this weekend as the No. 1 overall seed in the country. The Ducks should feel confident in their ability but should continue to follow the one-day-at-a-time mentality to not overlook any opponent in the double-elimination format. They should be able to escape the regional round without any troubles.
2) Who or what will be the key for the Ducks in the postseason? Why?
Kim — The pitching trio of Cheridan Hawkins, Jasmine Smithson-Willett and Karissa Hovinga will be the key to success for the Ducks this postseason. If last year’s loss to Nebraska served as a symbol of how games are won in the postseason, Oregon’s pitching rotation will once again be essential to how far they can go. Coming off a season where Hawkins was named Pac-12 pitcher of the year, a lot of pressure will be riding on her back, as well as the rest of the Oregon pitchers.
Kostecka — The combination of responding when the opponent scores and limiting the opponent to a minimal amount of runs. If Oregon can keep opponents to single-run innings and not give up the “big” inning, that’ll be huge in never letting the opponent gain momentum. On the flip side, the Ducks will have to make sure to respond in the following at-bat after giving up runs, thus keeping the mojo flowing.
Hawthorne — This postseason, it’ll be all about the pitching. Hawkins, Smithson-Willett and Hovinga will keep the Ducks in games and ensure that they won’t get themselves in holes that they will have to offensively dig themselves out of. This season, Oregon’s pitching has paved the way for success and coach Mike White will no doubt rely on his rotation to keep the run going.
3) Do you believe losing to Nebraska last year in Super Regionals will have any impact this postseason?
Kim — The entire team hasn’t been shy about how much the loss to Nebraska last year has motivated them and I don’t blame them. While this is virtually a new Oregon roster, their mentality this postseason will heavily involve the bitter taste that still resides. Whether or not it will result in wins, their loss will have a level of impact on the postseason.
Kostecka — I do not. During the offseason, losing to Nebraska should’ve stung like crazy and it likely provided the Ducks all the focus and energy they needed to get better over the summer and in the spring. But this is a new Oregon team and a new year so the Ducks can’t focus on last year. They must remain focused on the task at hand and that will lead them to Oklahoma City.
Hawthorne — When Oregon lost to Nebraska on its own field last year, the memory was undoubtedly painful for the team. The Ducks have used that moment at Howe Field as a motivator the entire season and will no doubt push them towards success, while not overlooking each opponent they face.
4) Is there anything/anyone who makes you believe the Ducks have a better chance to reach the Women’s College World Series this year in comparison to last year?
Kim — The Ducks’ batting order makes me believe they will advance past Super Regionals this year. I do agree that the pitching battles will be the key to wins, but Oregon’s batting order is better than it was last year. Having said that, I think they will hold as the difference — even against the best pitchers in the country.
Kostecka — Yes, and it starts with Courntey Ceo and ends with Nikki Udria. This Oregon batting lineup is far and above better than the lineup it had last year and it shows in nearly every statistical category. Over and over again, the Ducks have responded to pressure with huge innings and I don’t see that changing. Nearly every game, a different batter has done the damage, so that depth is what will ultimately help Oregon reach the WCWS.
Hawthorne — This year, all the pieces have aligned at the right time. They’ve dealt with the pressure of the No. 1 ranking for the second half of the season and have not cracked under the spotlight. Coach Mike White has kept the mood light among the players while also demanding excellence, which has led to more success. I think that the pressure of the Regional and Super Regional rounds can be immense, which is where the cumulative pressure can be all the difference.
Follow Hayden Kim on Twitter @HayDayKim
Follow Ryan Kostecka on Twitter @Ryan_Kostecka
Follow Jonathan Hawthorne on Twitter @Jon_Hawthorne