The Oregon men’s tennis program has long been the “hunter,” seeking the consistency and big-time wins to earn respect across the nation as one of the top teams.

Last season, the Ducks posted a 19-7 dual record, made it to the second round of the NCAA Tournament and were consistently ranked in the top-25 in what was easily one of the best seasons in the history of the program.

With seven players from the 2016-17 squad returning for the upcoming season, don’t expect Oregon to sneak up on anyone this season. The target on the Ducks’ back will be more than visible. Programs in the Pac-12 and across the nation will be pulling bows out of their quivers, and taking their best shots from all directions at head coach Nils Schyllander and his team.

With success comes respect. No, the Ducks’ are no longer the “hunter.” They are now the “hunted,” and they’re embracing that notion.

“I think we have a bunch of guys motivated,” senior Simon Stevens said. “We want to reach a better ranking than last season, and go farther in the NCAA tournament.”

Stevens is one of three seniors — alongside Akihiro Tanaka and Cormac Clissold — that are entering the upcoming season. Stevens and Tanaka bring the production in singles, finishing last season in the No. 2 and No. 3 spots on the team, respectively. Not only is there experience on their side, there’s room to grow, too.

“I have more room to focus on myself,” Tanaka said. “We’re going to have some good preparation for the [upcoming dual] season.”

Compared to last season, in which Jayson Amos was the only senior on the team, the Ducks now have an increased presence of leadership that can be relied on this season.

“It’s all about the team this year,” Clissold said. “We’re trying to break last year’s ranking and keep it going.”

Clissold is currently lined up to play in either the No. 4 to No. 5 spot in singles. But it’s in doubles where the Australian really makes his mark. Playing alongside Thomas Laurent, the pair combined for a 24-6 record in doubles last year.

“We have this immediate connection where we just relax and play well with each other,” Clissold said.

Laurent’s value to the program doesn’t stop at doubles alongside Clissold. The French native took a stranglehold on the Ducks’ No. 1 spot in singles in a breakout sophomore campaign, winning 30 matches and earning all-Pac-12 honors.

It’ll take a team effort for the Ducks upcoming season to be a successful one. It all starts at the top with Laurent. If the junior can not only compete, but win consistently against other program’s top players, it can be the difference from the Ducks ascending from a good program to one of the nation’s elite.

With tournaments in the fall, and dual matches stretching across the winter and the spring, it’s a long season. The Ducks, just like any other program, will have to bring it over the long haul to meet the high expectations they have set internally.

“It’s all about practicing hard,” Stevens said. “The strength of this team is the atmosphere.”

The Ducks will need a strong and healthy atmosphere throughout the year to achieve their goals. Now seems to be as good a time as any for the program to take that next step.

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In his first season as head coach of the Ducks, Willie Taggart has instilled in his players to “Do Something.”

On Saturday night versus Cal, a few more players than originally planned were asked to do something. A slew of injuries, headlined by impairments to Justin Herbert and Royce Freeman, led to anxiety across Autzen Stadium and a sense of uncertainty heading forward. For the time being, the Ducks were able to grind out a 45-24 win over the Golden Bears for their first win in Pac-12 play.

“I realized that this team cares about each other,” Taggart said. “We’re doing all the things that we set out and addressed early.”

When Oregon finally pulled away from Cal in the game’s final minutes, there was no reason to stress over the outcome of the game on the field. However, that stress is about to amplify moving forward.

Following the game, reports came out that Herbert broke his collarbone. The injury occurred on a seven-yard touchdown run that put the Ducks up 17-0. Taggart did not offer an official diagnosis on Herbert.

“I just gave him a hug and said that we’re all here for him,” center Jake Hanson said.

Backup Taylor Alie entered for Herbert, and did not fare well. He was unable to move the ball down the field with his arm, completing only nine passes for 41 yards. Alie threw an interception that led to a Cal touchdown at the end of the half to cut the deficit to 17-7 and give some energy to the visitors heading into halftime.

To make matters even tougher, Alie didn’t make it to the end of the game, leaving with an injury. That led to freshman Braxton Burmeister entering for the first time in his collegiate career.

The shuffle in quarterbacks shifted to a game plan that focused heavily on the running game in the second half.  The ground attack was led by Kani Benoit and Tony Brooks-James, and not Freeman, who himself left earlier in the game with what appeared to be a right arm injury. Benoit and Brooks-James combined for 217 yards on the ground and three touchdowns to lead the way. Darrian Felix also pitched in with 27 rushing yards and a score at the end of the game to make it 45-24.

“We came here to be the best running backs in the country,” Brooks-James said. “They know the run is coming but you can’t stop it.”

With Herbert out, Cal knew that the Ducks would be running the ball. Coach Taggart and his team were quick to give credit to the offensive line, which bounced back in a big manner following its below-average outing in the Ducks’ 37-35 loss at Arizona State last Saturday.

“I was really proud of those guys,” Taggart said. “I challenged them this past Sunday…those guys took that challenge.”

Cal’s running game, on the other hand, was in a rut all night long, rushing for only 52 yards on a combined 29 attempts. The offense got the job done on their side of the ball, but the Ducks’ defensive effort was especially admirable in preventing Cal from threatening the early 17-0 lead Oregon jumped out to in the first quarter. They also allowed the offense to adjust with the change at the quarterback position.

With Herbert potentially set to miss a considerable amount of time, the status of Freeman still up in the air and No. 16 Washington State coming into Eugene next week, Ducks who may not have expected advanced roles will be given their chance to shine.

Follow Cole Kundich on Twitter @ckundich

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The Oregon Ducks (3-1, 0-1 Pac-12) lead the California Golden Bears (3-1, 0-1) 17-7 at halftime.

Although Oregon has jumped out to the early lead, a slew of injuries bit the Ducks in the first half. Justin Herbert, Royce Freeman, Dillon Mitchell, Kaulana Apelu and Jake Pisarcik have all exited the game with injuries.

Key plays

— The Ducks got on the board first with a 42-yard field goal from Aidan Schneider.

— After holding Cal to a three-and-out, Justin Herbert connects with Brenden Schooler for a 37-yard touchdown to put the Ducks ahead, 10-0.

— Herbert puts the Ducks up 17-0 with a seven-yard run to complete a eight-play, 53 yard touchdown drive.

— Taylor Alie throws an interception to Cal’s Jorda Kunaszyk with 1:08 left in the half.

— On the next play, Cal QB Ross Bowers connects with Jordan Veasy on an 18-yard touchdown to cut the Oregon lead to 17-7.

Oregon passing 

Justin Herbert — 7-of-8 for 86 yards and one touchdown

Taylor Alie – 3-of-5 for four yards and one interception

Oregon rushing

Royce Freeman — six attempts for 51 yards

Kani Benoit – nine attempts for 25 yards and

Herbert – one attempt for seven yards and one touchdown

Oregon receiving

Brenden Schooler — one reception for 37 yards and one touchdown

Cal passing

Ross Bowers — 10-of-14 for 72 yards and one touchdown

Cal rushing

Patrick Laird — nine attempts for 22 yards

Cal receiving

Jordan Veasy — two receptions for 32 yards and 1 touchdown

Kanawai Noa – four receptions for 33 yards

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— Following its 37-35 loss to Arizona State last Saturday, Oregon football fell out of the Top 25 in the latest AP Poll. Oregon was ranked No. 24 after jumping out to a 3-0 start to the season.

— Oregon looks to bounce back on Saturday night versus Cal. The Ducks have responded well following the first loss of the Willie Taggart era, with the offense looking to fix penalties and third down conversions.

— Safety Khalil Oliver has left the Oregon football team. The junior started the season opener against Southern Utah but hasn’t appeared since. He intends to become a graduate transfer, in which he’d be able to play for two more seasons.

— Oregon Soccer jumped out to a 6-2 start in non-conference play, but lost its Pac-12 opener to Arizona, 3-1. The Ducks travel to Los Angeles to play UCLA on Thursday and USC on Sunday.

— 12-ranked Oregon volleyball heads to the mountains this weekend to face No. 15 Utah and unranked Colorado. 

— A three-year investigation by the FBI into bribes and corruption in NCAA basketball resulted in 10 people being arrested on Tuesday. Assistant coaches from six schools — including Arizona and USC — were implicated. Many expect the investigation to reveal more schools that are involved.

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Oregon entered the seventh inning against Kentucky looking like they’d be heading to an all-decisive Game 3 on Sunday. Instead, the Ducks scrapped together their largest comeback of the season to win 6-5 and advance to the Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City for the fourth time in six seasons.

“Our team just fought, and fought, and fought,” said head coach Mike White. “It just shows the character to come back from three runs down against a very good pitching staff.”

After winning game one 4-0 on Friday in Eugene, the Ducks could not break through during game two’s first six innings. Playing as the road team on Saturday, the Ducks went into the top of the seventh inning down 5-2.  A pair of singles and a walk loaded the bases for Nikki Udria. The Ducks’ cleanup hitter delivered, driving in Danica Mercado and Alexis Mack with a 2-RBI single to cut the deficit to 5-4.

Mia Camuso delivered the go-ahead knock the Ducks were looking for all afternoon. A 2-RBI double brought home Gwen Svekis and Udria, giving the Ducks their first lead of the game, and bringing a sold-out Jane Sanders Stadium into a frenzy.

“It was pretty special to get that hit because I had been struggling for a bit,” said Camuso, Oregon’s freshman first baseman. “You just got to keep swinging and pull through. I was glad to be able to do that for my team.”

A ground out to third baseman Jenna Lilley ended the game and started an on field celebration, including hats that read “OKC bound.”

Kentucky’s lead started early when the Wildcats got on the board first with a pair of runs in the bottom of the first inning. With one out and a runner on first, Brooklin Hinz singled down the left field line. Ducks left-fielder Alexis Mack misplayed the ball, allowing Hinz to advance to third, and the Wildcats Katie Reed to score all the way from first. Alex Martens then doubled to left-center to bring home Hinz from third.

Abbey Cheek gave Kentucky a 3-0 lead with a solo blast to lead off the bottom half of the fourth, her 13th home run of the season.

The Ducks began their scoring in the fifth, starting with a single from Alexis Mack, followed by a pair of walks to Svekis and Udria which loaded the bases with one out. An illegal pitch from Meagan Prince – who had just entered the game – advanced all three base-runners, allowing Mack to score from third. The Ducks added one more in the inning off an RBI ground-out from Shannon Rhodes to cut the deficit to 3-2.

The Wildcats responded though, taking a 5-2 lead into the seventh thanks to a two-RBI single off the bat of Erin Rethlake.

That lead disappeared for Kentucky in the top of the seventh, where the Ducks strung together five straight base runners, allowing them to break through.

“You can’t hit the three run homerun with nobody on base,” said White. “That was the message in the last inning – we have to get on base and find a way to put pressure on the defense.”

Miranda Elish — who entered in the fifth inning for fellow freshman Maggie Balint — closed the game for the Ducks with a 1-2-3 bottom of the seventh.

It’s a drastic reversal from just last season, in which the Ducks were stunned in the NCAA Super Regional by UCLA, losing in three games to the Bruins.

Instead, the Ducks will look to bring home the first national championship in program history.

“The hardest part is getting there,” said Udria. “We have to be in the moment and never take one pitch off because it could be our last.”

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In the penultimate game of a 2017 season that will all but likely see Oregon miss the NCAA Tournament, sophomore Matt Mercer made sure to end his season on a high note. The sophomore threw a gem on the mound, leading the Ducks to a 2-1 win in the second of a three-game series against UCLA.

Mercer threw 7 1/3 innings, allowing no earned runs, striking out six and allowing just three hits. The Ducks needed every bit of his greatness to edge by the Bruins on Friday night.

“The fastball early and fastball away [was working well],” said Mercer. “When I got behind, I worked back to even counts.”

Mercer retired the first ten batters he faced, with the Bruins first hit coming from a dribbler off the bat of Daniel Amaral down the third base line. His six strikeouts is one of his career high of seven, which came on Feb. 25 versus Seton Hall.

Mercers A-game was needed at the start of the game with the Ducks offense not mustering any runs against the Bruins Jake Bird through the first four innings.

“We needed Mercer to have a big effort,” head coach George Horton said. “We couldn’t get that extend the lead type of hit.”

That changed in the bottom of the fifth when Morgan McCullough drove home A.J. Balta with a two-out single for the game’s first run, giving the Ducks a 1-0 lead.  Balta’s run ended a dry spell at PK Park, where the Ducks offense had not scored a run in over 32 innings, dating back to May 12 against Oregon State.

Spencer Steer gave the Ducks some breathing room in the bottom of the seventh inning. Steer hit a hard shot up the middle that Bruins shortstop Ryan Kriedler was able to stop. Kyle Kasser — running from second — just beat the throw home from Chase Strumpf to give the Ducks its second run of the game and a 2-0 lead.

Of note, Kasser’s single in the seventh extended his hitting streak to 14 games, which ties the second-longest streak in program history.

That insurance turned out to be crucial for the Ducks, as Mercer ran into trouble in the eighth inning. After issuing back-to-back walks with one out, Mercer’s night, and season, came to a close.

Things got even hairier for Kenyon Yovan — who came in to relieve Mercer — when an errant throw down the third-base line from Matthew Dyer gave the Bruins their first run of the game to make it 2-1. With runners on second and third and one out, Yovan caused a pop-out before striking out Brett Stephens to escape the jam with the lead still intact.

“Mercer worked his tail off for us the whole game,” Yovan said. “I wanted to go in there and make sure [the outcome] would stay the same.”

Yovan came back out for a stress-free, 1-2-3 ninth inning to give the Ducks the 2-1 win. They will have the chance to end a shaky season with a win over the Bruins on Saturday.

“We set our sights on trying to win this series,” Horton said. “I’d like the guys to get this against a playoff worthy team in UCLA.”

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It was shaping up to be a decision that many high school baseball players could only dream of: Go to college, or go to the pros?

For Oregon pitcher David Peterson, it was a decision he was ready to make.

Peterson entered his senior year at Regis Jesuit High School in Aurora, Colorado, committed to play baseball for the University of Oregon. His incredible success prior to his senior year, though, had caught the full attention of Major League Baseball scouts.

That potential decision and Peterson’s career as a whole, however, took on great uncertainty when the 6’6”, 230-pound ace broke his leg playing pick-up basketball prior to the start of the Raiders’ 2014 season.

“I remember getting that phone call from the hospital,” said Matt Darr, Peterson’s head coach at Regis Jesuit. “I could tell he was probably fighting back tears. … He was discouraged.”

Oregon Ducks pitcher David Peterson (3) celebrates after striking out the last batter and throwing a complete game. The Oregon Ducks play the Arizona State Sun Devils at PK Park in Eugene, Ore. on Friday April 28, 2017. (Aaron Nelson/Emerald)

It was an unexpected turn for Peterson but not one that would derail him. Today, Peterson is in the midst of a breakout season atop the Ducks’ starting pitching rotation that has put him in position to be a high-round draft pick in the upcoming MLB draft in June. He’s set the school record for strikeouts and currently leads the conference in strikeouts.

It’s been an up-and-down 2017 season for the Ducks (27-24, 11-16 Pac-12), who sit in eighth place in conference standings and are expected to miss the NCAA Tournament for the second-straight year, but Peterson has exploded onto the national scene and has been nothing short of excellent.

“Everything you do, you need to have the most focus that you can. It translates to the mound,” said Peterson. “The work that I put in, and all the other pitchers are putting in, pays off when you stick to the process, keep your nose to the grind and get after your job.”

Peterson made an impact the moment he arrived at Regis Jesuit, being named first-team All-League as a freshman. For most of his senior season, however, all he could do was offer his support from off the diamond, uncertain whether his broken leg would heal quickly enough for him to return to the field.

“He was still the same leader even though he wasn’t out on the field,” Darr said. “We didn’t think he was going to come back.”

They were wrong. Not only did Peterson return from his injury in just a month and a half, but he shined, going 3-0 with a 1.15 ERA in 24 1/3 innings pitched. In his final start in a Raiders uniform, Peterson threw 7 innings, allowing no earned runs and struck out 10.

This season, the pitcher from Denver, Colorado, is 11-3 with a 2.31 ERA. His 131 strikeouts and counting are a program record for a season, blowing away the previous mark of 114 set in 2011 by Tyler Anderson. The two-time Pac-12 pitcher of the week is one win away from tying the program record for most wins in a season.

Peterson has also gained attention on the national stage. In addition to being named National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association pitcher of the week, he is a semifinalist for the Dick Howser Trophy and on the Golden Spikes Award watch list — awards given to the country’s top college baseball player.

“When you have a guy like [Peterson] who’s been able to do it consistently all year, it’s unbelievable,” Oregon catcher Tim Susnara said.

Peterson hasn’t been this level of “unbelievable” throughout his entire career, most notably with his pitch command. His 13 walks issued this season is a steady drop from the 31 and 30 batters he walked in his freshman and sophomore years, respectively. Decreased walk totals and a spike in the strikeout column have turned Peterson into one of the toughest pitchers to hit throughout the 2017 campaign.

Oregon Ducks pitcher David Peterson (3) hugs catcher Tim Susnara (6) after the game. The Oregon Ducks play the Arizona State Sun Devils at PK Park in Eugene, Ore. on Friday April 28, 2017. (Aaron Nelson/Emerald)

“I go in every start the same way,” Peterson said. “It’s me versus the other guy. Keep them nameless and faceless and don’t put extra pressure on myself.”

On and off the field, Peterson is the guy that others follow. Matt Mercer, the Ducks’ Saturday night starter in the pitching rotation, praises Peterson’s mental strength and said he is one of the team’s “most vocal leaders.” Philadelphia Phillies pitcher and former Duck Cole Irvin, recalls one of the first times he interacted with Peterson.

“I remember having a team hangout, and he was the first guy to jump in [the pool] out of all the guys that were trying to lead the crew,” said Irvin. “He’s just fun and a great guy to be around.”

Out of all of Peterson’s quality starts this season, his 20-strikeout performance in the Ducks’ 2-0 win versus Arizona State on April 28 takes the crown. Not only did it give the Ducks a series-opening win in Pac-12 play, but Peterson’s performance drew national attention from media outlets and MLB scouts.

“He was in the zone when he wanted to be, and out of the zone when he wanted to be,” said Ducks head coach George Horton following the game. “That’s what it looks like when [star MLB pitchers Clayton] Kershaw or [Madison] Bumgarner pitch.

“That’s big league stuff.”

Once a projected high-round draft pick, Peterson fell to a 28th-round selection by the Boston Red Sox in the 2014 draft. He turned it down to come to Oregon, and through three seasons in Eugene, Peterson’s draft stock is higher than it has ever been. Baseball America has Peterson as the No. 16 overall draft prospect, with multiple mock drafts having the lefty taken in the first round of the 2017 MLB draft.

“Peterson is a big kid with a large frame. He has really come into his own this spring,” said an American League scout, who asked to remain anonymous to protect the privacy of his team. “He can run the fastball up to 94 MPH with good life. Both the slider and the curveball have come on this season. He should go high in the draft.”

Although people outside the program may have known about Peterson prior to the season, few expected such a meteoric rise. Last season, MLB scouts kept their eyes on Irvin and Matt Krook, who was taken in the fourth round of the 2016 draft by the San Francisco Giants. This year, they are flocking to PK Park to get a live look at Peterson.

Oregon Ducks pitcher David Peterson (3) throws to the plate. The Oregon Ducks play the Arizona State Sun Devils at PK Park in Eugene, Ore. on Friday April 28, 2017. (Aaron Nelson/Emerald)

“I take it as a responsibility to be the Friday guy,” said Peterson. “I’m very thankful for [the honors] … at the same time I can always get better. With the momentum I have right now, I just have to keep it going.”

Those in the dugout, however, including Irvin, knew that “Petey” was a special talent who can take his game to the next level.

“To be honest, I think he was overlooked [last season],” Irvin said. “He deserves to be talked about as being [drafted] in the first round.”

Peterson will square off against another projected first-round MLB Draft pick, UCLA starting pitcher Griffin Canning, at 6 p.m. Thursday at PK Park. Oregon baseball’s last two home games are on Friday at 6 p.m. and Saturday at 2 p.m.

Follow Cole Kundich on Twitter @ckundich

The post Major League Ready: Meet David Peterson, Oregon’s projected first-round draft pick appeared first on Emerald Media.

It was shaping up to be a decision that many high school baseball players could only dream of: Go to college, or go to the pros?

For Oregon pitcher David Peterson, it was a decision he was ready to make.

Peterson entered his senior year at Regis Jesuit High School in Aurora, Colorado, committed to play baseball for the University of Oregon. His incredible success prior to his senior year, though, had caught the full attention of Major League Baseball scouts.

That potential decision and Peterson’s career as a whole, however, took on great uncertainty when the 6’6”, 230-pound ace broke his leg playing pick-up basketball prior to the start of the Raiders’ 2014 season.

“I remember getting that phone call from the hospital,” said Matt Darr, Peterson’s head coach at Regis Jesuit. “I could tell he was probably fighting back tears. … He was discouraged.”

Oregon Ducks pitcher David Peterson (3) celebrates after striking out the last batter and throwing a complete game. The Oregon Ducks play the Arizona State Sun Devils at PK Park in Eugene, Ore. on Friday April 28, 2017. (Aaron Nelson/Emerald)

It was an unexpected turn for Peterson but not one that would derail him. Today, Peterson is in the midst of a breakout season atop the Ducks’ starting pitching rotation that has put him in position to be a high-round draft pick in the upcoming MLB draft in June. He’s set the school record for strikeouts and currently leads the conference in strikeouts.

It’s been an up-and-down 2017 season for the Ducks (27-24, 11-16 Pac-12), who sit in eighth place in conference standings and are expected to miss the NCAA Tournament for the second-straight year, but Peterson has exploded onto the national scene and has been nothing short of excellent.

“Everything you do, you need to have the most focus that you can. It translates to the mound,” said Peterson. “The work that I put in, and all the other pitchers are putting in, pays off when you stick to the process, keep your nose to the grind and get after your job.”

Peterson made an impact the moment he arrived at Regis Jesuit, being named first-team All-League as a freshman. For most of his senior season, however, all he could do was offer his support from off the diamond, uncertain whether his broken leg would heal quickly enough for him to return to the field.

“He was still the same leader even though he wasn’t out on the field,” Darr said. “We didn’t think he was going to come back.”

They were wrong. Not only did Peterson return from his injury in just a month and a half, but he shined, going 3-0 with a 1.15 ERA in 24 1/3 innings pitched. In his final start in a Raiders uniform, Peterson threw 7 innings, allowing no earned runs and struck out 10.

This season, the pitcher from Denver, Colorado, is 11-3 with a 2.31 ERA. His 131 strikeouts and counting are a program record for a season, blowing away the previous mark of 114 set in 2011 by Tyler Anderson. The two-time Pac-12 pitcher of the week is one win away from tying the program record for most wins in a season.

Peterson has also gained attention on the national stage. In addition to being named National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association pitcher of the week, he is a semifinalist for the Dick Howser Trophy and on the Golden Spikes Award watch list — awards given to the country’s top college baseball player.

“When you have a guy like [Peterson] who’s been able to do it consistently all year, it’s unbelievable,” Oregon catcher Tim Susnara said.

Peterson hasn’t been this level of “unbelievable” throughout his entire career, most notably with his pitch command. His 13 walks issued this season is a steady drop from the 31 and 30 batters he walked in his freshman and sophomore years, respectively. Decreased walk totals and a spike in the strikeout column have turned Peterson into one of the toughest pitchers to hit throughout the 2017 campaign.

Oregon Ducks pitcher David Peterson (3) hugs catcher Tim Susnara (6) after the game. The Oregon Ducks play the Arizona State Sun Devils at PK Park in Eugene, Ore. on Friday April 28, 2017. (Aaron Nelson/Emerald)

“I go in every start the same way,” Peterson said. “It’s me versus the other guy. Keep them nameless and faceless and don’t put extra pressure on myself.”

On and off the field, Peterson is the guy that others follow. Matt Mercer, the Ducks’ Saturday night starter in the pitching rotation, praises Peterson’s mental strength and said he is one of the team’s “most vocal leaders.” Philadelphia Phillies pitcher and former Duck Cole Irvin, recalls one of the first times he interacted with Peterson.

“I remember having a team hangout, and he was the first guy to jump in [the pool] out of all the guys that were trying to lead the crew,” said Irvin. “He’s just fun and a great guy to be around.”

Out of all of Peterson’s quality starts this season, his 20-strikeout performance in the Ducks’ 2-0 win versus Arizona State on April 28 takes the crown. Not only did it give the Ducks a series-opening win in Pac-12 play, but Peterson’s performance drew national attention from media outlets and MLB scouts.

“He was in the zone when he wanted to be, and out of the zone when he wanted to be,” said Ducks head coach George Horton following the game. “That’s what it looks like when [star MLB pitchers Clayton] Kershaw or [Madison] Bumgarner pitch.

“That’s big league stuff.”

Once a projected high-round draft pick, Peterson fell to a 28th-round selection by the Boston Red Sox in the 2014 draft. He turned it down to come to Oregon, and through three seasons in Eugene, Peterson’s draft stock is higher than it has ever been. Baseball America has Peterson as the No. 16 overall draft prospect, with multiple mock drafts having the lefty taken in the first round of the 2017 MLB draft.

“Peterson is a big kid with a large frame. He has really come into his own this spring,” said an American League scout, who asked to remain anonymous to protect the privacy of his team. “He can run the fastball up to 94 MPH with good life. Both the slider and the curveball have come on this season. He should go high in the draft.”

Although people outside the program may have known about Peterson prior to the season, few expected such a meteoric rise. Last season, MLB scouts kept their eyes on Irvin and Matt Krook, who was taken in the fourth round of the 2016 draft by the San Francisco Giants. This year, they are flocking to PK Park to get a live look at Peterson.

Oregon Ducks pitcher David Peterson (3) throws to the plate. The Oregon Ducks play the Arizona State Sun Devils at PK Park in Eugene, Ore. on Friday April 28, 2017. (Aaron Nelson/Emerald)

“I take it as a responsibility to be the Friday guy,” said Peterson. “I’m very thankful for [the honors] … at the same time I can always get better. With the momentum I have right now, I just have to keep it going.”

Those in the dugout, however, including Irvin, knew that “Petey” was a special talent who can take his game to the next level.

“To be honest, I think he was overlooked [last season],” Irvin said. “He deserves to be talked about as being [drafted] in the first round.”

Peterson will square off against another projected first-round MLB Draft pick, UCLA starting pitcher Griffin Canning, at 6 p.m. Thursday at PK Park. Oregon baseball’s last two home games are on Friday at 6 p.m. and Saturday at 2 p.m.

Follow Cole Kundich on Twitter @ckundich

The post Major League Ready: Meet David Peterson, Oregon’s projected first-round draft pick appeared first on Emerald Media.

The Ducks dropped the second game of a three-game series to USC, falling to the Trojans 14-9 in Los Angeles.

Kyle Kasser finished with five of the Ducks’ 12 hits, however, that would not be enough against the offensive onslaught put on by USC on Saturday evening.

Tim Susnara started the scoring in the second inning with a home-run to give the Ducks the early 2-0 lead. Following Susnara’s blast, Kyle Kasser and Morgan McCullough each drove in a run to give the Ducks an early 4-0 lead.

Matt Mercer gave the lead right back to the Trojans, allowing five runs in the bottom half of the second inning. The sophomore lasted just 4.1 innings, allowing 7 earned runs on 9 hits.

The back-and-forth battle continued in the fourth inning when Kasser singled in A.J. Balta and Spencer Steer brought home Jake Bennett on a sacrifice fly.

That would be the last time the Ducks would hold onto the lead, though. USC scored another four runs in the bottom of the fifth, followed by two runs in the sixth and three in the seventh.

Kasser’s five hits is a season high for the Ducks — the Brea, California, native drove in two runs while also scoring twice.

Saturday’s loss, the Ducks eighth in their last nine games, sets up a rubber match against USC on Sunday. Cole Stringer is expected to be on the mound for the Ducks.

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On Saturday afternoon, the Ducks’ season came to an end as they lost to No. 12 Texas A&M 4-0 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

The loss ends a 2017 season that saw the Ducks (19-7) advance to the regional final for the second year in a row. Similar to the 2016 season, that is as far as the Ducks would go, falling just short of a trip to Georgia for the Sweet 16.

After defeating Memphis on Friday, the Ducks were stacked up against Texas A&M, the host of the regional.

The Ducks put themselves in an early hole that they could not dig themselves out of after losing the doubles point to begin the match. Thomas Laurent and Cormac Clissold started things off with a 6-4 win.

Shortly after, Simon Stevens and Ty Gentry, were edged out 6-4, with the tiebreaker on the shoulders of Jayson Amos and Armando Soemarno. The Ducks No. 1 pair lost 7-6 (7-2) against the No. 9 doubles pair in the country, AJ Catanzariti and Arthur Rinderknech.

The Ducks fared even worse in singles. Akihiro Tanaka fell to Catanzariti 6-3, 6-2, before Simon Stevens lost in straight sets to No. 48-ranked Jordi Arconada, 6-2, 6-4.

No. 27 Thomas Laurent – whose season will continue in the NCAA Singles Championships on May 24 – could not bail out the Ducks, losing in straight sets to No. 6-ranked Arthur Rinderknech, 6-4, 6-2 to clinch the match for the Aggies and send the Ducks home.

With all players but Amos returning next season, the No. 24 Ducks will hope to take the next step in the program’s recent progression during the 2018 season.

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