The Oregon softball team has a tough road to travel in Phoenix, Ariz., starting today.
In the Ducks’ opening game of the Fiesta Bowl Tournament, No. 20 Oregon (2-2) faces No. 14 Cal State Fullerton, which has yet to play. The Titans ended their season at home last year against Oregon when the Ducks beat Fullerton, 2-1, in the NCAA Regionals last May and came up one game short of the Women’s College World Series.
Immediately following the 10:15 a.m. game against the Titans, Oregon plays No. 15 Texas A&M (3-0).
“This is our toughest weekend before the (Pacific-10 Conference) season,” Oregon head coach Kathy Arendsen said. “You know this is going to be a grudge match for Fullerton. Texas A&M has a very good ballclub. They’re underrated and they’re in the top 15.”
The Ducks have a later start on Saturday as they face Ohio State at 4 p.m. and Cal State Northridge at 6 p.m. Oregon closes the tournament Sunday at noon against No. 11 Texas.
“After last weekend, we kind of know where we are at,” infielder Erin Goodell said. “This weekend, we’re playing some really tough teams which is good for us. We need that with our tough competition in our conference.”
Seven of the eight Pac-10 teams are ranked in the USA Today Top 25 poll, with Oregon State receiving votes. All eight teams are ranked in the ESPN.com/USA Softball poll.
Oregon has everyone healthy for this weekend’s tournament. Pitcher Amy Harris injured her wrist during the offseason, and Arendsen said she expected Harris to get a few innings in during the Phoenix tournament.
The return of Harris will complete the Ducks’ pitching staff. Returning from last season are senior Anissa Meashintubby, junior Lindsey Kontra and Harris, a sophomore. Meashintubby is No. 7 all-time at Oregon in shutouts, while Harris is Oregon’s all-time single-season strikeout leader. Adding depth to the rotation this season is junior transfer Ani Nyhus.
“I’m looking for five strong wins (for the team),” Nyhus said. “I think that with the expectations that we have for ourselves, we need to go out there and do something like that. Every team out there is going to be hard to beat.”
The Fiesta Bowl Tournament is Oregon’s second tournament of the season. Last weekend, the Ducks traveled to Miami, Fla., for the Florida International Tournament.
Oregon opened its season with a 11-6 loss to No. 7 Georgia, then turned things around for a 9-1 victory against Florida International.
The Ducks started Feb. 7 with a second loss, 3-0, to Florida Atlantic. They rebounded again with an afternoon 8-0 win against Iowa State.
Nyhus and infielder Beth Boskovich were named to the all-tournament team.
“Last weekend we figured out what we need to work on,” Goodell said. “If we can maintain our intensity level all the way through the tournament, I think that will help up be more successful.”
After Oregon returns from Phoenix, the Ducks will have four tournaments remaining before the Pac-10 season starts at the end of March.