With 22 games under their belt this season, the Oregon softball team (14-8) will host its first game at Howe Field and first contest against a Pacific-10 Conference foe at 2 p.m. Saturday against Oregon State.
The Beavers come into Eugene with a No. 14 national ranking and a 23-8 record.
After a controversial 2001, which included a resignation of the team’s head coach after financial issues, the departure of three starters and a 1-20 record in the Pac-10, the Ducks have rebounded and are encouraged by their play through the preseason.
“Overall, the kids have responded well to each other with a lot of newcomers and extremely well to myself and the two assistant coaches,” interim head coach Brent Rincon said. “They are getting along, care about each other and want to achieve a high level of success, and we are working hard to make that a reality for them.”
Due primarily to what current players described as team chemistry problems, four Ducks quit the team in the last year. Oregon lost Lisa Wangler, who was selected as team MVP after leading Oregon with a .367 batting average from the leadoff slot; Kate Peterson, who is now starting at shortstop for Brigham Young; Kelly Planche, a standout catcher; and Missy Coe, who finished second on the team with 30 RBI. Rincon said that the departure of the players changed the expected lineup of the Ducks, but many very capable replacements have stepped in to fill the void.
Lakeesha Eversley, a junior transfer from Arizona Western Junior College, has started in 19 of the Ducks’ 22 games in the outfield. Batting .321 with three home runs and a team high of five stolen bases, Eversley is an all-around threat for Oregon.
“Lakeesha is a unique combination of speed and power,” Rincon said. “She has driven in some big runs for us and just excelled defensively and also gives us a base stealing threat.”
Stepping into the catching chores for Oregon this season has been Jennifer Poore, a sophomore transfer from Mississippi. Poore has stepped up to be a leader on the field both offensively and defensively driving in 12 runs and catching a pitching staff that has a combined earned run average of 2.75.
Because of a shoulder injury that has kept junior Andrea Vidlund from taking the circle, Oregon’s pitching staff is limited to three hurlers. This has not slowed them down.
In addition to senior Connie McMurren, who has highlighted the Oregon pitching staff since her freshman year, and sophomore Anissa Meashintubby, who leads the team with a 2.20 ERA and 42 strikeouts, the Ducks have welcomed the addition of freshman Lindsey Kontra. After 11 appearances, Kontra is 5-3 with a 2.76 ERA. She has 26 strikeouts to go with 10 walks.
“I feel like we have three pitchers who are capable of beating anybody in the country right now on any given day,” Rincon said.
Although she has yet to pitch for Oregon this season, Vidlund is contributing in other ways. With a team-best .418 batting average, she is having an “ungodly” year, according to Rincon. Her 26 RBI, six home runs, .731 slugging percentage and 49 total bases leads the team.
Heading into the game against Oregon State, Rincon knows that his team has some ground that it needs to cover before reaching the status the Beavers and other Pac-10 opponents have reached.
“I’m extremely confident that if we can do the things that we do well, which is good pitching, and play good defense and get timely hitting, that we’re on the brink of accomplishing the things that (the Beavers) are accomplishing as well,” he said. “Overall I’m real pleased with where we are as a team, physically and emotionally.”