California and Stanford were both ranked in the top 10 nationally each time they faced Oregon last season. And the Ducks lost every one of those games by one run apiece.
This season the No. 7 Bears (33-4 overall, 2-1 Pacific-10 Conference) and No. 8 Cardinal (27-6, 1-2) are top-10 programs and next on the schedule for an Oregon team that is struggling for a victory.
“We just need some wins,” senior pitcher Amy Harris said. “We need to buckle down and get the key hits. We’ve just been waiting for so long for everything to finally tie in together. We are just a few key hits away from winning some ball games.”
The Ducks (17-12) are winless in the conference season with two losses and two rain outs.
After missing a scheduled start against No. 7 Oregon State last Tuesday, Harris will be sidelined for an additional week after taking a cortisone shot in her pitching shoulder earlier this week. Harris cited a lot of inflammation, pain and tightness as the decision for the shot.
“Cortisone is a pretty severe case of anti-inflammatory,” Harris said. “So hopefully it will get it all settled down and everything.”
The pitching rotation will be decided “as we travel,” according to Oregon coach Kathy Arendsen said.
“Obviously Melissa (Rice) has thrown very, very well, and she will get innings,” Arendsen said. “(Alicia) Cook, I have great confidence will come on, and Elise Orange will probably have to pick up some of the routine as well.”
Oregon plays at Cal today at 3 p.m. before games Saturday and Sunday at Stanford.
“Our biggest challenge will be us,” Arendsen said. “We can’t get caught up in Stanford or Cal. I have great respect for their programs. They are both outstanding and are having great years. But it’s all about how well we play, how confident we are, how well we prepare to play two excellent teams.”
After losing two of three games early in the season, the Bears rattled off a 25-game winning streak. Last weekend, Cal split with No. 3 UCLA, winning the first game 10-3 before dropping the second 3-1.
“I only go a game at a time,” Arendsen said. “We are going to try to beat Cal. I can’t worry about Stanford at this point. Any win is a great win. We always expect to win, but when we get that result that’s going to be huge. I can’t look at the big scope. It’s the second week of the season.”
Meanwhile Stanford exploded offensively against Oregon with 17, nine and five runs scored in three victories last season, respectively. The Ducks managed seven, five and one runs, respectively.
The Cardinal lost 5-4 to UCLA to open its conference schedule and split with No. 14 Washington last weekend. Stanford won the first game 1-0 and Washington took the second, 8-0.
“We just need to get ourselves above .500,” Harris said. “Any game, no matter who we are playing, is extremely important. Not only for numbers but for the morale of the team.
“It’s pretty frustrating when you can’t quite figure it out. You try so hard, but things just don’t click for you. For the confidence of the girls and everything, wins are pretty important right now.”
Stanford and Cal make a return trip to Eugene beginning April 28.
The Ducks return to Howe Field Wednesday when they will host Portland State at 4 p.m. Oregon won the previous meeting this season, 6-5.

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