The No. 13 Ducks fielded questions Wednesday as part of media day, just after fielding balls as the squad took on members of the local media in a six-inning game.
It was the first time since two exhibition games in September that the Ducks have played a contest other than an intrasquad game. Next up, Oregon opens at the Florida International Tournament in Miami on Feb. 6 with four games during the weekend.
“We’re a young team right now,” catcher Jenn Poore said. “I think it’s kind of good to be young. Fresh arms, fresh everything — they’re really excited to be playing.”
The Ducks lost five starters from a squad that was picked to finish eighth of eight teams in the Pacific-10 Conference last season. That same team finished the season in May ranked No. 11, tied for third in the Pac-10 and as the runner-up in its NCAA Regional tournament.
“They’ve worked so hard,” head coach Kathy Arendsen said. “This is a real enjoyable group to work with. A lot of enthusiasm, a lot of talent. We’re young so there’s a lot of energy too. There’s some real positives going on.”
The Ducks’ strongest area this season is the pitching staff. Oregon lost third-team All-American Andrea Vidlund and her nation-leading 11 saves to graduation, but the Ducks return starters Anissa Meashintubby, Lindsey Kontra and Amy Harris.
“I think our depth is as good as anybody’s in the country, maybe the best,” Arendsen said. “Right now, we don’t have Amy healthy yet, but when she comes back, holy cow, what a staff.”
Harris suffered a wrist injury to her pitching hand in September, Arendsen said. The team isn’t rushing the healing process, and the right-hander will likely be back at full strength in three to four weeks, Arendsen added. The Ducks open the February tournament against No. 10 Georgia, a team they beat last season when the Bulldogs were ranked No. 12 and Oregon was unranked.
“We’re ready to get out of here,” sophomore Beth Boskovich said. “All we’ve been talking about is Miami this and Miami that. We’re excited to play Georgia again.”