If one thing stands out about the Oregon women’s softball team following its 19-game road stint to open the season, it’s the ability of a handful of freshman to step up to the learning curve in less than ideal conditions.
The newcomers have battled the elements that come with being a first-year collegiate athlete, and their maturity on the field has proven to be vital in the opening month of the season.
Few players have made more of a splash in the Oregon program than freshman left fielder Allie Burger. In four games at the Cathedral City Classic two weeks ago, Burger led the Ducks (14-5) going 8-for-10 from the plate. Burger received Pacific-10 Conference Player of the Week accolades for the first time since Jenn Salling got the recognition during the 2007 season.
A starter in all 19 games for Oregon, Burger says her offensive approach is simple: Hit it where they aren’t.
“If the defense is playing me back,” Burger said. “I’m gonna play short game. If they’re looking me in the eyes like really close, then I’m probably going to power.”
First-year head coach Mike White has worked extensively with Burger’s ability to drag bunt, something that he hopes will free up the rest of the tools Burger possesses as a slap hitter. White also coaches third base for the Ducks, helping direct Burger and the rest of the batting order with their positional hitting.
“She’s seeing where the fielders are at,” White said. “And she’s kind of placing the ball where they aren’t.”
The approach has clearly proven successful. Burger is second on the team with 22 hits and ranks third in batting average (.440) and RBIs (9). Ranking just above Burger in the batting average column is fellow freshman Samantha Pappas at .467, arguably the Ducks’ most consistent hitter up to this point in the season.
Pappas ranks first in at-bats (60), runs (14), hits (28), doubles (6), home runs (6), RBIs (18), walks (6), and stolen bases (3). Yet White feels there is still plenty of room for improvement for Pappas.
“Sam struggled a little bit the last couple weeks,” White said. “I say struggled and she still batted .300 or .400, but I mean she’s not getting the home runs she was to start with.”
While Pappas hasn’t hit a home run in Oregon’s last seven games, White said that as long as she stays patient and is willing to drive the ball to the opposite field, the long balls will eventually come.
Oregon’s lone freshman on the infield, second baseman Kaylan Howard, has shown glimpses of being able to drive the long ball as she sits second on the team with three homers on the year. In her 18 games Howard has tallied 14 hits and eight RBIs, which includes a stretch of three home runs in four games.
The trouble with young hitters, however, lies in the shaky pitch selection early in the at-bat. Burger has really tried to hone in these past few outings.
“Not getting behind in the count,” Burger said is the key. “The second tournament I struggled because I got behind in the count a lot, and then I ended up chasing bad pitches that I don’t want.”
While Burger, Pappas, and Howard have each shined at the plate more often than not, sophomore Samantha Skillingstad thinks their combined 29 strikeouts is something that will drastically improve with more experience.
“I think I was in their position last year,” Skillingstad concluded. “I think it just helps contribute to the whole team and it really builds a foundation for our future.”
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