To the untrained eye, it would appear that the Oregon softball team’s 3 p.m. doubleheader with Portland State will be a cake walk. Not so.
Although the Ducks soundly defeated Portland State four times last season and contributed to the Vikings’ dismal 22-34 record, Portland State looks to be much improved.
Oregon must not look past Portland State after a rough weekend against No. 2-ranked Arizona and No. 9 Arizona State.
Rick Gamez’s squad is 2-3 on the road this season and 18-13 away from Howe Field. Today’s doubleheader kicks off a five-game road swing for the Ducks.
Portland State, which returns seven starters this season plus the majority of its rotation, is 10-17 and the winner of five of its last seven. Morgan Siebert and Nicole Ivie lead the Vikings on the mound with six shutouts this season.
Portland State also has a dangerous offensive combination with outfielder Kiauna Anderson, the team leader in doubles, runs batted in and home runs, and shortstop Vanessa Applegate at the cleanup position.
Oregon counters with a deep pitching roster and versatile batting order.
Sophomore Andrea Vidlund is expected to take the mound for the Ducks in the first game. Vidlund is 9-3 on the season with a 2.92 ERA. Freshman Anissa Meashintubby (2-1) should also see action out of the bullpen.
Sophomore Lisa Wangler, who was crucial in Oregon’s 4-0 upset of Arizona State on Sunday, will get a rest from pitching duties, but she will still be relied upon for offense as a designated hitter. Wangler leads the team in hitting with a .413 batting average.
Sophomore infielder Alyssa Laux is another offensive threat with a .404 average and 15 RBIs. Fellow sophomore Janell Bergstrom emerged as a key player in the Arizona State upset, going 1-for-1 with a home run and two walks.
Senior third baseman Triawn Custer provides most of the power in Oregon’s lineup with team-leading statistics in home runs (5) and RBIs (24).
The Ducks will be looking for their first doubleheader sweep all season. From Portland, Oregon will hit the road for the Bay Area for Pacific-10 Conference games against Stanford and California.