Oregon’s club softball team is technically in its second year of existence. The only problem has been that it has literally just done that – existed – due to a lack of support, funds and opponents.
“It has been issues of finding a field, finding a coach, needing money for uniforms, finding a conference, and we just kept running into dead ends,” coordinator Brianna Metzler said. “It is still that way and will take a lot more work. We want to thrive.”
At least now, Metzler said, the Ducks have a foundation: a roster of about 10-13 players and a league to call their own.
The Ducks joined the National Club Softball Association and are set to play in the Northern Pacific Conference. Eastern Washington is currently Oregon’s only conference opponent. League rules dictate that teams must play three home games and three away games in their conference. Thus, the Ducks will travel for three contests in Spokane, Wash., March 2-4. Two series, one against Spokane Falls Community College and another against Whitworth, will be interspersed throughout that weekend.
Oregon hosts the Eagles April 7-8 for three more games, either on the turf field near the Student Recreational Center or at Amazon Park.
Beginning with the core of reliable participants and the conference schedule, Metzler, a sophomore, said she is seeing pieces of Oregon’s puzzle falling into place.
“Girls are doing a lot of everything right now to keep it going,” Metzler said. “We have girls playing, recruiting … I will probably be in the club office all day today.”
The team could not play this fall because of poor weather and a shortage of players. Metzler said that this term she hopes for good weather and eager participants. The team needs everything – from pitchers to a coach – and is leaving practice open for anyone to join. She said they practice on the turf field from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday. Metzler said she is also working on sealing time slots for a field at Amazon Park, where she hopes to have two-day club tryouts starting Feb. 17.
Those interested in participating can contact Metzler at [email protected].
Rugby drops one to UW
Despite a 5-3 score at halftime, the Oregon men’s club rugby team could not withstand Washington’s second-half scoring onslaught on Saturday, losing 24-3 at Riverfront Field.
“I think we missed a ton of opportunities and didn’t take advantage of scoring situations,” coordinator Kevin Holmquist said.
With more than 100 spectators in attendance, Oregon, now 2-4 overall and 0-1 in the Pacific Northwest Rugby Football Union, responded to Washington’s five-point try by marching downfield and kicking in a penalty goal. That cut the Ducks’ deficit to only two points, but Washington pulled away in the second half after Oregon came out flat. Holmquist said that the Ducks were more fit and more focused, but in the end, the result was the same as last year: The Huskies won.
Earlier this winter, the Ducks earned two wins at the Pacific-10 Tournament in Los Angeles, Calif., notching victories against Arizona (19-17) and (15-10).
Oregon next travels to Pullman, Wash., to battle Washington State on Saturday.