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 discuss Oregon’s Super Regionals sweep of Minnesota and look ahead to the Women’s College World Series. The No. 1-seeded Ducks will play No. 8 seed Florida State Thursday at 11:30 a.m. PST.
1) What is one positive and one negative the Ducks can take away from their Super Regional win over Minnesota?
Kostecka — The positive and negative can best be summed up as a double-edged sword. On one end, the negative impact can be complacency. Oregon has advanced farther than last year and that in itself is a goal accomplished, but the feeling of already accomplishing that goal can lead to complacency. The other edge of the sword is confidence. Oregon knows it can beat any team in the country on any field and since the Ducks are peaking at the right time, all the confidence is with them.
Kim — The biggest positive that the Ducks can take away from their Super Regional is the confidence in their batting. After falling to Nebraska last season due to their deficiencies on the offensive end, the Ducks will carry a level of momentum that they didn’t have last season. The one negative for the Ducks is the ambiguity of how their pitching staff will fare against tougher competition. Considering Minnesota was a relatively inferior opponent in regards to their batting, it will be hard to judge how the Ducks will do against a superior opponent like Florida State.
Hawthorne — For the Ducks, the biggest positive coming out of the Super Regional weekend has to be the offensive surge that powered the Ducks to a sweep. They have to feel good about where they are right now in regards to their ability to score runs when need be. Courtney Ceo and Janie Takeda are hitting their strides at the right time. For the Ducks, the biggest area of concern is continuing to move forward and win in the biggest spotlight. They’ve proven they can do it at home, but the lights will shine brightest in Oklahoma City.
2) What is the number one key to Oregon making a run at the Women’s College World Series?
Kostecka — Depth at pitching. Unless the Ducks run-rule every opponent they face, they will need to dig deep into their bullpen and use the arms of Karissa Hovinga and Jasmine Smithson-Willett to win it all. To be a national champion, the Ducks will have to win a minimum of five games in six days so all the pitching help Hovinga/Smithson-Willett can provide will be the true test for the potential champions.
Kim — The key will be the play of Cheridan Hawkins and Hovinga. As the postseason progresses, the importance of the pitchers increases. Dominant pitching, more often than not, outperforms good batting. Having said that, Oregon’s pitching rotation will be as important as it’s ever been because they will also be facing stiffer competition.
Hawthorne — Most definitely the pitching is what fuels Oregon’s success. The trio of Hawkins, Smithson-Willett and Hovinga allow the Ducks time to get on the board offensively without having to worry about climbing out of a large batting hole.
3) Apart from the Ducks, who will be the biggest threat to take home the national championship trophy at the end of the season?
Kostecka — No. 5 seed Florida and No. 7 seed Oklahoma will provide the stiffest competition to Oregon bringing home the national championship. Once at the WCWS, it’s any teams’ trophy to take. Since the Gators have already beat the Ducks earlier in the year and Oklahoma is the reigning national champion with a load of experience, the early edge goes to them over the Ducks.
Kim — No. 5 Florida will be the biggest threat to take home the national championship trophy simply for the reason that the Ducks lost to the Gators earlier this season. The Ducks have improved since playing them, but they will still be facing a team they have yet to beat. The other threat will be No. 7 seed Oklahoma, who is coming off a title year.
Hawthorne — I agree that No. 5 Florida and No. 7 Oklahoma pose the biggest threats to Oregon’s national championship title hopes. However, it’s important for the Ducks to remember that once the WCWS field is set, the seeds become less important while experience and game-time performance becomes more important.
4) Who has been the MVP of the postseason so far for the Ducks?
Kostecka — The easy answer is Hawkins since she has gone 4-0 and has been nearly unhittable but I’m going with Takeda. After struggling to live up to lofty preseason expectations, the former All-American Takeda has been on fire at the plate in the postseason (9-for-17, eight runs and eight RBIs) in five games and served as a great compliment to Ceo, holder of the nation’s second-best batting average. Takeda’s hot streak has provided opponents with a series scare and protected Ceo in the lineup.
Kim — Takeda. After struggling to play at her highest level throughout the season, the former all-American has significantly raised her game, becoming Oregon’s most consistent hitter. Oregon lives off runs, and Takeda has been the team’s most recent bright spot.
Hawthorne — Hawkins. It’s not easy being the first player that sets the tempo for the game, but Hawkins has proven that she doesn’t waver in the spotlight. With a 4-0 record in the postseason already, Hawkins is sure to improve her 33-4 record in the WCWS. There are no sure bets in the game of softball, but Hawkins is as close to a sure bet as there is.
5) How will the Ducks fare in the WCWS and why?
Kostecka — Once the WCWS ends, Oregon will be the team holding up the national championship trophy. The Ducks have too much balance between hitting, pitching and fielding for teams to find a true weakness. Apart from possessing one of the top hitters and top pitchers in college softball, the Ducks can add depth at each position, something no team can do. While a few teams have great pitching or great hitting, the Ducks possess both. Combined with a hungry team and an experienced coaching staff, Oregon will be the last team to walk off the field in Oklahoma City.
Kim — Oregon is one of the most complete teams in the Women’s College World Series and with a confident Hawkins on the mound, the Ducks will be the team to beat in the tournament. Adding the fact that the Ducks have been performing well offensively, they will be that much harder to beat. I expect the Ducks to make the title game.
Hawthorne — The Ducks are peaking at just the right moment and will have a legitimate chance to contend for the trophy when it’s all said and done. Stars like Hawkins and Ceo will garner the most attention in OKC, but expect players like Takeda, Janelle Lindvall and Kailee Cuico to provide necessary offensive support for a WCWS national championship trophy.
Follow Hayden Kim on Twitter @HayDayKim
Follow Ryan Kostecka on Twitter @Ryan_Kostecka
Follow Jonathan Hawthorne on Twitter @Jon_Hawthorne