The University of Oregon Student Recreation Center is alive and well. And student fitness instructor Christian Cullen’s voice is a symbol of that prolific energy.

Cullen’s amplified barks to the 20 students taking the “Yard X Circuit” class are heard by every person entering the facility. The reason: The new Fitness Yard, where the class takes place, is located on the second deck right in front of students as they swipe their cards and access the newly renovated structure.

“Almost there,” Cullen says, with a microphone sending echoes throughout the center. “Five seconds… three, two, one.”

The Yard X Circuit is a brand new class that offers a type of functional training that is in such high demand now a days. It is located in an open area that probably wouldn’t have been well designed for anything else, according to UO Director of Physical Education and Recreation Kevin Marbury.

The area features medicine balls, kettle bells, battle ropes and has possibly become the most popular new feature the facility has to offer. Within 48 hours of its re-opening on Jan. 5, the battle ropes had already been worn out.

“People in the fitness industry were like, ‘I’ve never seen that happen,’” said assistant director of fitness Chantelle Russell.

Additionally, the Yard X class that Cullen teaches on Wednesday nights is capped at 20 students, so he and fellow instructor Taylor Sidore usually have to turn students away. It’s an example of the rapid growth fitness classes are having here.

Since 2009, the UO student rec center’s Group X workouts – a series of fitness sessions for drop-in involvement – have experienced a 136 percent increase in participation. The programming had 31,984 participations in 2012-13, up from 13,564 participations in 2009-10. The number of workout sessions offered since that time has also risen from 87 to 197 and the number of student-instructors teaching them has shot up from a measly three to 27.

Numbers like these are what Marbury and the rest of the student recreation administrative staff are interested in.

At the cost of $50 million in student fees in January, the UO became the latest college to include a state-of-the art facility. With 110,000 square feet of new space and 40,000 feet of renovated space, it is, as a statement from the university noted, “much more than a place to sweat now.”

The rec center’s features include a 12-lane, 25-yard pool, a whirlpool spa with a waterfall, a cycling room with 38 machines, multiple areas for weightlifting and a lobby that boasts a 32-screen video array.

But other factors, such as accessibility, though less flashy than a mind-body yoga room, were just as key when the foundation was laid for the renovation.

Now, the facility possesses three help desks in the main lobby, versus the one that it had before. It has cut down on lines and generated distinct avenues where users can either get their questions answered at one desk, or grab a towel at another.

“Just using something as simple as traffic patterns helped us in terms of identifying traffic flow,” Marbury said, “which then impacts the quality experience of those individuals going forward.”

It may seem subtle, but those evidence-based decisions are what Marbury is set on continuing to make.

Down to the most fundamental value, Marbury simply wants to understand what students want and then figure out how this facility can help contribute to their overall development. Tracking the data of student habits is how he can best comprehend that.

“We look at everything from how often people come into the building, what groups they’re aligned with,” Marbury said.

Additionally, by incorporating a system called Fusion, the staff is able to monitor how many people are coming into the building, separated by class. It also told them that through the first 13 days that the rec center was open, there were 13,000 unique participations in the building.

Projections at the end of January also predicted that there will be almost a 12 percent increase of the amount of unique entrants to the rec center this term compared to the 2013 winter term.

Usage is up, that much is clear. But in order to maximize effectiveness, the department has made it a top priority in its strategic plan for 2014-2019 to assess just what demands each niche population of students have.

“We’re trying to get a better scope of our users in our totality,” said assistant director of membership services and student development Tiffany Lundy.

Lundy cites a study published by Brailsford & Dunlavey in December 2010 as a key ingredient for influencing that approach. In the study’s needs assessment, it became clear that the current facility in 2010 was not serving the student body at large.

Of the 4,553 students and 1,153 employees surveyed, 35 percent said a major reason for not pursuing on-campus recreation was due to overcrowded facilities. 51 percent of the respondents said that it should be either a very high or high priority to enhance the fitness facilities.

The finding serves as a launching pad for how to accurately understand how physical activity benefits college students for Stan Dura.

Dura, the director of student affairs assessment and research in the division of student life, wants to figure out ways of understanding just how physical activity and going to the rec center impacts students learning in college.

At Purdue and Michigan State, the universities discovered that students who exercise at their facilities, versus those who don’t, receive higher grade point averages.

Dura wants to take those findings one step further.

“Those are great studies but we want to do better than that,” Dura said. “What’s causing that relationship? Could it be that students that are just more engaged and motivated both exercise more and do better in school? What are you doing (at the gym) that impacts it? Does it have an impact immediately in terms of your attention and focus and memory in classes?”

It is clearly a long-term goal, but Dura’s questions are something that universities now have the resources to explore.

“We’re opening up doors to be able to look at things we never have before,” Dura said.

The old rec center was state-of-the-art at the time of its completed renovation in 2000. However, the facility was at over-capacity on the first day and, due to a consistent growth in enrollment over the years, the next phase, according to Lundy, was always looming.

It has now transformed into a center that includes names such as Fitness Block, Fitness Alley and Fitness Yard. The south weight room now serves a Crossfit gym. The multiple weight lifting areas have virtually eliminated the normal crowdedness between 5p.m. and 9 p.m. on weekdays.

Instead of a dozen racquetball courts, the facility features a boxing studio, a turf-field with functional training equipment and dance classes like POUND – a cardio strength class to the beat of the music. In addition, a new set of basketball courts will be finished soon.

To be held responsible for all these sweeping, expensive expenditures, Marbury and his staff will continue to make effective programming decisions by using the data that is present.

“We want to be accountable,” Marbury said. “If we spend $50 million on something we want to make sure that $50 million is spent on something of value to our students, faculty and staff.”

Currently every student enrolled at the UO spends $93.75 per term to use the facility.

The return on investment for Marbury then is to retain those students and supply a “quality experience.”

Right now, all signs point to a step in a progressive direction.

Follow Justin Wise on Twitter @JustinFWise

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The energy was high. That much was clear when the Oregon women’s lacrosse team took the field in its home and conference opener against San Diego State at Pape Field on Saturday. The Ducks gained control of the match right from the initial face off and scored seven goals from six different players in regulation.

However, a San Diego State rally in the final stages of the game proved to be the difference. The Aztecs scored four unanswered goals while knuckling down on defense to secure an 8-7 overtime win.

“We had great energy in the first half, we had the ball over in the offense a ton,” head coach Jen Beck said. “In the second half, we didn’t have as many opportunities and the energy shifted towards San Diego. ”

After a goal from Courtney Valdez off a free position shot with 13:55 remaining in the second half, it seemed like the Ducks were well on their way to their third consecutive win.

Yet, within a minute of the score, San Diego State’s Michaela Jarvis had cut the lead to just two. From there, Oregon’s opportunities dwindled, and San Diego State was on the offensive end for much of the final ten minutes.

“They got one goal and we looked down on ourselves,” Hayley Milner, who scored two goals, said. “They start figuring out our ride and worked around it. We couldn’t get it back.”

By the 7:28 mark, the Aztecs tied it and for the final seven minutes of regulation, both sides could not find the back of the net.

Then, in the first overtime period, San Diego State’s Christina Ricciardulli sealed the fate of the game with an unassisted goal.

Oregon finished the game with seven more shots than San Diego State, however they did not execute as well as Beck would have liked.

“We need to fix our execution once we get over into the offensive end because I thought we had some really good looks on the goal,” Beck said. “Not that it was the shooter’s fault, but just that we needed to take care of the ball better.”

Goalkeeper Janelle Parker, making the third start of her collegiate career, finished the game with six saves.

Olivia Pyne and Cambi Cukar contributed with a goal and an assist each.

Oregon will hope to respond tomorrow as it hosts St. Mary’s at 1 p.m.

Follow Justin Wise on Twitter @JustinFWise 

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As Oregon women’s lacrosse head coach Jen Beck puts it, the mood is just like the weather right now. The Ducks (2-0) welcome San Diego State for both their home and conference opener on Saturday and the excitement level is at its peak.

Beck and Oregon are coming off a 2014 season in which the team finished fourth in MPSF play with a 6-3 mark. However, now into her 11th season as head coach at Oregon, Beck is employing what she calls a “totally new team.”

Shannon Propst, who broke the all-time records for assists (114) and points (219), is gone. Goalie Caroline Federighi, who posted a .479 saves percentage and 9.02 goals against average, which were good for best all-time, has departed.

But right now, Beck is just excited to play in front of the home fans at Pape Field. She spoke with The Emerald to break down how the season has gone so far, who has filled the gaps that certain seniors left and what the strengths are for this unit.

What’s the mood? 

Mood’s just like the weather. We’re really excited, light, sunny sort of weather. I think we’re just super pumped to play in front of our fans. We’re excited to play on our home field in not only our home-opener, but our conference opener.

Your team lost a few individuals who made huge impacts last year. What’s the transition like from last year to this season?                      

Totally new team. We’ve incorporated 10 new freshman into our systems, our sets definitely have a whole new look to who we are on the field. We have a great platform for learning.

How has Janelle Parker looked in the net?

We have goalies that are stepping up. Janelle was the one slated this past road trip. We’ll see what happens this coming weekend. It’ll be either Janelle or Jenna Morris or Becca Katzen. It’s been a great little competition between the three of them. So we’ll see once we get there for the weekend.

How has Hayley Milner looked coming back from injury? 

She’s doing great. She was able to get back to full go in the fall, took it real slow because there was no hurry for us to get her back. But it was really nice to have her at full go since January and she hasn’t missed a beat.

What are the strengths of your team?

We’ll continue to have multiple goal scorers. It’s not really on the shoulders of one or two people to execute our offense. I think it makes us more potent. You have to honor everyone equally on the field and that is a definite strength of ours.

Carly O’Connell was named Mountain Pacific Sports Federation’s Offensive Player of the Week on Monday. What type of performances did she have and how is she coming along?

She’s a super competitor so it doesn’t surprise me that she’s doing a little bit more of the shouldering. She’s doing a good job playing in the midfield both offensively and defensively, keeping herself in the mix wherever she is and making a positive impact.

Who are the leaders of this year’s group?

Ali Scharkey’s stepped up on the defensive end.  Milner, and Olivia Pyne are our captains this year.

What are you looking forward to this season? 

I wake up every day grateful to be a Duck and I just try to keep the team as grounded as possible. So we’re focused on San Diego State, having a home-opener, playing in front of our Duck fans and opening our conference.

What’s your take on San Diego State? What type of threat does the team pose? 

They are a fantastic team. I think their offense and defense is really solid. It’s always a competitive game every time we’ve played them.

Follow Justin Wise on Twitter @JustinFWise 

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Oregon offensive lineman Andre Yruretagoyena has decided to not return for his senior season, according to Duck Territory. 

Rob Moseley of GoDucks.com confirmed the news via his Twitter account on Thursday.

With his final year of eligibility coming up, Yruretagoyena said he will "focus on getting my body healthy and graduating." #GoDucks

— Rob Moseley (@DuckFootball) February 26, 2015

Yruretagoyena started the 2014 season at left tackle, before missing a considerable amount of time due to a left leg injury he suffered in Oregon’s contest versus Michigan State on Sept. 6.

He returned from injury in Oregon’s final home game of the 2014 season versus Colorado and was utilized in a reserve role in the Ducks’ final five games.

A lingering foot injury is believed to be a reason for his decision. In addition, Yruretagoyena is on schedule to graduate as early as this spring or early summer.

Follow Justin Wise on Twitter @JustinFWise

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As Valentine’s Day approached, Lauren Jones had an idea.

The freshman loved chemistry, and was known for always including her hallmates in the Barnhart residence hall. She integrated the two and posted a variety of Valentine’s messages on her dormitory door.

“I’ve got my Ion you,” read one. “Let’s take things slow,” with the Internet Explorer logo attached, said another.

The gesture from Jones was expected, though. Jones, a Georgia native and student-athlete on the Oregon acrobatics and tumbling team, showed that caring nature almost every day. Her door was always open at Barnhart. When new residents moved in, Jones was the first person to knock on their door and greet them. She was also known to wait in the Barnhart lobby when she knew a teammate would be returning home. She’d greet that teammate, and simply ask about her day.

Jones spent her Valentine’s Day watching Fifty Shades of Grey and having dinner with her friends. But just two days later, she fell ill from meningococcemia, a disease that is caused by the same bacteria as meningitis.

Lauren was admitted to a local emergency room early Tuesday morning, before being sent home to recover.

But her condition quickly worsened and she was hospitalized again that afternoon. By Tuesday night, the Oregon Athletic Department released a statement confirming the 18-year-old’s death.

Suddenly, the seventh-floor of Barnhart Hall lost its source of energy.

Jones had only been a student at Oregon since September. She was halfway through her second term as a freshman. But her impact had already stemmed deep. Her acrobatics and tumbling coach Chelsea Shaw remembers her selfless and caring personality. Jones’ chemistry teacher, Diane Hawley, described her as outgoing and someone who strived to make the most of her opportunities.

Her hall mates at Barnhart knew her by the simple gestures she always made.

“I still keep thinking that she’s going to be back there,” Edmy Vega, Jones’ roommate, said.

***

For those who knew Jones, she is cherished for her unwavering energy, inclusive love and a certain quirkiness. She’ll be remembered for her sporadic dance moves and bubbly personality.

“She went over the top to make everyone feel like they were included,” said Izzy Fasheh, one of her closest friends.

Most nights at Barnhart, Jones would put in a special request for a strawberry milkshake, and became friends with the barista, who knew her by her order. One night, he was having a bad day, so Lauren stayed with him in the dining hall.

“She wouldn’t leave him alone until he was like, ‘Okay, I feel better now,’” Vega said.

Jones enjoyed staying up late even if she had an 8 a.m. class the following day.

“She didn’t want to miss anything,” Vega said.

During the first few of weeks of school, Jones and Vega pushed their beds together and talked for hours on end.

“People were like, ‘That’s so weird. Are you guys going to cuddle at night?’ And we were like, ‘No, it’s just more homey,’” Vega said.

Jones, who her friends said couldn’t be negative if she tried, was once challenged to be mean. She lasted two minutes before breaking out in laughter.

After all, her computer password was keep-smiling.

“She was always thinking about other people,” Shaw said. “She never talked bad about anybody.”

Jones and her mother had a close relationship, often talking during the day between classes and practice. Jones would show her friends photographs of her family and talk extensively about them.

“(Her mother) said Lauren always spoke very highly of her experience here,” Shaw said. “Her family was great, and I think that’s exactly why they had a great daughter.”

***

Freshman Interest Group leader Lindsey Forde held one-on-one meetings with all 20 students in the “Science in the News” FIG during the first week of fall term. The conversations typically consisted of basics: “Where are you from?” “What’s your major?”

However, when she met with Jones, the two had a conversation unlike any Forde had experienced with her students.

“She comes up to me and she goes ‘I had the weirdest dream last night,’” Forde said. “And she spends like two hours telling me about all these dreams she’s ever had in her life.”

The randomness of Jones and Forde’s first conversation carried on through the rest of the term. Jones continued to update her FIG leader on all of her crazy dreams, one of which included her trying to save the world while at an amusement park – the only problem was that she was stuck on a roller coaster.

Jones had a deep interest in chemistry, and she had a periodic table of elements hanging on her wall. That enthusiasm was on full display in the FIG. Despite her hectic schedule as a student-athlete, she attended every study session or social event that Forde organized. And at every event, Jones served as a conversational spark.

“She made the events worth it,” Forde said. “It was my role to get people to talk to each other and be involved but she was so helpful in that because she was so willing to participate.”

Forde’s last memory of Jones was when Jones had hurt her knee after a bicycle accident and could barely walk. But she was still smiling and laughing as if it was any other day.

***

Perhaps nobody at Oregon knew Jones like Sydnee Walton, a junior base on the acrobatics and tumbling team.

Walton and Jones both attended Southwest DeKalb High School in Decatur, Georgia and had been friends since the two attended a cheer camp when Jones was 7.

During the acrobatics and tumbling team’s first home meet on Saturday, Walton wore Jones’ No. 51 jersey to honor her friend.

The contest was punctuated by the massive showing of support for the freshman student-athlete who lost her life.

Parking attendants wore “Ducks fly together” T-shirts with the No. 51 on the back in bright yellow, Jones’ favorite color. “LJ” patches were sewed on the right side of Oregon’s jerseys and a record attendance of 2,007 saw the Ducks defeat Concordia.

Before the match began, the entire team – besides Walton, who was wearing Jones’ jersey – ran onto the mat wearing neon yellow shirts with “Jones” and “51” emblazoned across the front.

Walton said after the competition that she felt Jones was right alongside her in spirit on Saturday. She, like the rest of the team, have dedicated this season to Jones’ memory.

“She deserves to have this done for her,” Walton said. “Every little thing, every little detail – she deserved all that we could do for her.”

Those close to Jones will remember her by the small gestures for others.

But there was one Jones couldn’t carry out. Before Saturday’s meet, Shaw found a handcrafted sign with Walton’s name and number. Jones had made it to be on display for Walton to see at the meet.

It reaffirmed the type of person she was, and the type of person that many will remember her as.

“Lauren was simply a great person,” Walton said. “She was truly my idol, because she did everything she could for other people.”

Jonathan Hawthorne is also an author of this post.

Follow Justin Wise and Jonathan Hawthorne on Twitter.

Oregon head coach George Horton said the Ducks did just “enough” offensively to win Thursday night in their home opener. And, well, the same appeared to ring true for the second of Oregon’s four-game series with New Mexico State a day later.

Scoring via a sacrifice fly, a walk, and a steal home, Oregon managed to fend off any response the Aggies had for them as the game continued.

However, a six-run eighth inning capped by a grand slam from Shaun Chase broke the game wide open and the 20th-ranked Ducks (5-1) eased their way to a 11-3 win in front of an attendance of 2,312 at PK Park.

“We just grind out teams,” Chase said. “We got their starting pitcher out by the fifth inning and we went to their bullpen and we just grind out at-bats, grind out innings and I think it’s just been working out for us.”

It was the second consecutive night in which a late surge from the Ducks proved to be the difference. Eight of their 11 runs came in the sixth, seventh and eighth innings.

“It’s just a mentality that our guys have developed,” head coach George Horton said. “That’s a tribute to the position players to score and extend the lead, and the back end of the bullpen has done a good job to hold the opposition down.”

That was the precise formula Friday night. Up until the eighth inning, Oregon had gone 2-10 with runners in scoring position and had virtually scratched and clawed its pathway through the game. But in that inning, every opportunity was finally taken full advantage of.

The six-run inning included runs batted in from Matt Eureste and Mitchell Tolman, as well as Chase’s home run that cleared the bases.

The shot over the left field fence was the 21st of Chase’s career and moves him to 3rd all-time in program history in that category.

As for the back end of the bullpen, Josh Graham and Joe Reta did not surrender a hit for the final 3.2 innings of the game. Listed as a catcher, Graham entered during the fifth inning of a tie game.

He came in to relieve Oregon freshman David Peterson. Peterson lasted 5.1 innings, yielding three runs, four hits and striking out seven in the process.

After Graham’s arrival though, the offense for New Mexico State (0-6) was nonexistent. Graham faced eight batters, struck out three and did not give up a single hit in his 2.2 innings of work.

“We knew he had that capability,” Horton said. “I thought he was a huge difference maker.”

Noticeably exuberant, Graham spoke after the game about how much of rush he got after pitching for the first time this season at Hawaii. The same type of feeling set in Friday as he and Oregon dominated the Aggies in the game’s latter stages.

Joe Reta then followed suit in the ninth, not allowing a hit and striking out one to conclude the game.

Notable stats:

– Oregon starting pitcher David Peterson: 5.1IP, 4H, 2ER, 7K, 3BB

– Oregon relief pitcher Josh Graham: 2.2 IP, 0 earned runs

– Brandon Cuddy: 0-2, two walks, two runs

– Shaun Chase: 2-5, four RBI’s, grand slam

Injury update:

Steven Packard dislocated his left shoulder Friday. His status moving forward is unknown.

“We just pray that he’s not on the shelf too long. Before he came to Eugene, he dislocated his right one. And then he got it fixed, went on a mission, and now it’s his other one. It’s his throwing arm which isn’t good, so we’ll just keep our fingers crossed,” Horton said.

Up next: Oregon faces New Mexico State Saturday at 2:03 p.m. Right handed pitcher Trent Paddon expects to make the start.

Follow Justin Wise on Twitter @JustinFWise

Lauren Jones, a member of the Oregon Acrobatics and Tumbling team, has died.

The Oregon athletic department confirmed that Jones died unexpectedly Tuesday after requiring medical attention. Jones was 18.

Julie Brown, a spokeswoman for the University of Oregon, confirmed that a bacterial infection is a “possibility.”

“This is a terrible and sudden loss for our whole Oregon community, as well our acrobatics and tumbling team family,” Acrobatics and Tumbling Head Coach Chelsea Shaw said in a press release. “Lauren was such a positive and bright spirit every day, and her smile was contagious. She will be greatly missed and our prayers and deepest condolences go out to her whole family, friends, previous teammates and anyone else who had the opportunity to know Lauren.”

Oregon Athletic Director Rob Mullens released a statement on Jones.

“All of us in the UO family are deeply saddened by Lauren’s sudden passing and extend our sympathies to her family and friends,” Athletic Director Rob Mullens said in a press release. “As we honor Lauren’s spirit, we are providing comfort and support to her coaches, teammates and fellow student-athletes as they go through the grieving process.”

Jones was a freshman from Southwest DeKalb High School in Lithonia, Georgia. She was a base for the acrobatics and tumbling team.

Oregon athletes have been posting about Jones’ death for the past two hours.

my thoughts and prayers go out to the family, friends, and teammates of Lauren Jones, rest in peace

— Kyle Kasser (@KVKASSER_1) February 18, 2015

My prayers and heart goes out to Oregon Acro team, the friends, and family of Lauren Jones. Don't take a day for granted. #DucksFlyTogether

— Chey Pow (@cheyene_powell) February 18, 2015

My heart goes out to Lauren Jones, her family and friends. My prayers are with you & I hope you rest in peace ❤️

— Stevie Jo Knapp (@steviejoknapp) February 18, 2015

The story is developing. More to come.

Joseph Hoyt contributed reporting. 

It wasn’t smooth sailing this time for Oregon women’s lacrosse. Although it seemed headed in that direction. After a 18-1 beatdown over Presbyterian on Friday, the Ducks outpaced High Point and grabbed an 8-3 lead in the second half of its game Sunday.

However, the five-point advantage quickly crumbled and with under five minutes remaining in regulation, the score was tied at 8.

But, Hayley Milner made sure the Ducks wouldn’t be on the wrong side of a comeback victory. Milner, who recorded a hat-trick in the season’s opener, found the back of the net with 4:11 remaining in the game, and the Ducks defense knuckled down, to secure a 9-8 win at Vert Stadium in High Point, South Carolina. 

For Milner, it was her second consecutive multi-goal game.

High Point opened the scoring Sunday, but Oregon’s Carly O’Connell answered each score with a goal of her own. 

Courtney Valdez then gave Oregon its first lead, 3-2, on a free position shot and the Ducks went into the locker room at halftime up 5-3.

Goals from Milner, Olivia Pyne and Rachel Steinberg extended their lead to 8-3 in the second half. But in just under 15 minutes, the Panthers were able to erase all of that.

However, after Milner retook the lead, Oregon’s defense denied any chance of a comeback occurring again. Janelle Parker finished with five saves and the Ducks defense forced 17 turnovers. All of which, ensured that the Ducks would come home on its first road trip of the season undefeated (2-0).

Oregon’s next contest will come on Feb. 28 when it hosts San Diego State. The game will be the start of a five game home stand for the Ducks.

Follow Justin Wise on Twitter @JustinFWise 

The long ball is making an impact for Oregon baseball through its first two games. After Matt Eureste’s home run on the second pitch of the season triggered a 12-0 win over Hawaii Friday, Nick Catalano followed suit a day later.

This time, however, much more was at stake. In the top of the eighth inning with a runner on base and trailing 2-1, Catalano’s shot over the left field fence at Les Murakami Stadium secured what would be a 3-2 win for the Ducks. 

While Friday night served as an offensive clinic, which Oregon breezed its way through, game two of the four-game series supplied no lack of drama.

In the ninth inning, Garrett Cleavinger couldn’t seem to find his rhythm and a late rally from the Rainbow Warriors subsided. The junior, making his first save opportunity, walked the first batter he faced and after a fielding error from Eureste, Hawaii had runners on first and second.

A sacrifice bunt and a hit by pitch later, the Rainbow Warriors had the bases loaded with just one out.

Yet, Cleavinger wasn’t fazed in the slightest. Hawaii’s Chayce Ka’aua struck out swinging on the ensuing at bat, and after Mark Karaviotis backhanded a short hopper and got the out at first, the game was sealed.

Stephen Nogosek was credited with the win after pitching two scoreless innings of relief.

David Peterson, who was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 28th round of last June’s MLB Draft, made his collegiate debut and had Hawaii on high alert for much of the outing.

The 6-foot-7 freshman struck out eight in six innings and yielded just one earned run on two hits.

Hawaii totaled just two hits, both of which came in the fourth inning. Jordan Richartz singled to center field, scoring Kaeo Aliviado. Then with two outs, Ka’aua singled to left and Marcus Doi scored after a fielding error to put Hawaii on top, 2-1.

Oregon’s first run came after a two-out Steven Packard double that scored Karaviotas in the top of the fourth inning.

For most of Saturday’s game though, Oregon’s inability to take advantage of opportunities became a theme.The Ducks recorded just six hits in the game’s entirety and left a combined six runners on base in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings.

But, Catalano’s first collegiate home run offset all of that. The junior center fielder went 2-for-3 with two runs batted in. Packard, who knocked in the first run of the game, finished 1-for-3 with one RBI and one run.

With the win, Oregon improves to 2-0. The team will meet Hawaii at 3:05 PT on Sunday for the third of this four-game series.

Follow Justin Wise on Twitter @JustinFWise

The goals came early and often. Freshman Cambi Cukar scored her first collegiate goal two minutes into regulation, and the rest of the Oregon women’s lacrosse team followed suit. The Ducks built a 7-0 lead by the 10:18 mark in the first half, and cruised to a 18-1 win over Presbyterian in the season opener.

“Very excited to put the pieces together that we have been working on and see so many different people step up today,” Oregon head coach Jen Beck told GoDucks.com. “I was pleased with the balanced offensive production and tremendous effort we had on getting the ball back.”

Oregon led 7-1 at half, but the team’s dominance continued for the rest of regulation. UO midfielder Hayley Milner scored two goals within 40 seconds of each other in the second half, and finished the game with her first hat-trick since April, 2013.

Milner’s night was just one of many winning performances though, as Oregon continued to outscore Presbyterian 11-0 in the second half.

Holly Johnson finished the game with five assists and Janelle Parker recorded her first collegiate win as a goalie. Parker picked up one save out of five opportunities, giving up just one goal in 41:45.

In addition, The Ducks forced 16 turnovers and outshot the Blue House 34-5.

Oregon will now travel to North Carolina for a Feb. 15 date with High Point at Vert Stadium.

Follow Justin Wise on Twitter @JustinFWise