It is not often a team that has lost five straight conference games is optimistic when a top-five team is its next opponent, but that is the case for the Oregon softball team, which hosts No. 5 Stanford (33-10 overall, 6-6 Pacific-10 Conference) today at 4 p.m.
The Ducks’ lone conference victory came at Stanford on April 9 when Oregon put together a school-record 16 hits for a 9-2 win. Oregon almost pulled out the first game of the series, but allowed five runs in the sixth inning after Lovena Chaput hit a three-run homer to put Oregon ahead 3-2 in the top of the that inning.
“I’m excited to play Stanford,” Oregon outfielder Kayleen Hudson said. “I think that we hit them pretty well the second game and we really broke it open.
“I think that we could really use a positive and we could just go from there and finish the season strong.”
Oregon (19-18, 1-8) is also in a stretch of eight-plus games in eight days.
The Ducks will finish up a game that was delayed at California on April 7, with Oregon up 2-0 with the bases loaded and one out in the third inning, Saturday at noon.
“I think the makeup game is really important,” Oregon shortstop Breanne Sabol said. “We are ahead right now so we need to keep that momentum going and just come out and beat them in that game. I know that will build some confidence and carry us into the other games.”
Oregon then plays No. 8 Cal (38-8, 6-5) at 2 p.m. on Saturday and at 1 p.m. on Sunday.
In non-league games, Oregon hosts a doubleheader against Santa Clara (18-30) Tuesday beginning at 1 p.m. The Ducks travel for a game Wednesday at Portland State (28-14) at 3 p.m.
“I think we are definitely (at) make or break time,” Oregon coach Kathy Arendsen said. “Every game is important. I can’t say one is more – I can’t say I feel better about any of them. They are all critically important for us.”