Almost exactly one year ago, the Oregon softball team was in almost the exact same situation as the team is in now.
Heading into a weekend series at California and Stanford on April 14, 2000, the Ducks had dropped five straight and were clinging to the hopes of a postseason berth.
Lo and behold, Oregon swept the then-No. 8 Bears and No. 9 Stanford, climbing back into the hunt with a 29-17 overall record.
This season, the Ducks (25-26 overall, 1-7 Pacific-10 Conference) have had their bumps and bruises, but they’re not giving in just yet. A couple of wins against No. 1 UCLA and No. 15 Washington this weekend would do a lot for a shaken Oregon squad.
“We’re not quitting,” said sophomore Lisa Wangler, the team’s top hitter with a .390 average. “We know we have it, it’s just not coming together for us. Not everyone is on the same page.”
“We’re going to go out and battle,” Oregon head coach Rick Gamez said. “Every opponent from here on out is going to be tough. We have to go out and play fundamental softball.”
The Ducks snapped a six-game losing streak Friday with two solid victories over San Jose State. But Saturday brought back the Pac-10 and the worst the Ducks had to offer. Oregon State easily swept both games, 8-0 and 11-2, on the Ducks’ home pond.
“You don’t ever really get over that,” Wangler said of Saturday’s performance. “That was embarrassing.”
Gamez has led the Ducks to three straight NCAA Tournament appearances, but the chances of making another trip this season are only getting slimmer.
“If anything’s going to happen, it has to happen with the snap of a finger,” Wangler said. “It’s too late to mess around. We have to get it done now.”
Of Oregon’s 16 remaining games, 13 are against ranked Pac-10 opponents.

A little breather
To the surprise of some, the Ducks have not practiced yet this week.
Gamez said the break was meant to get the team’s mentality back on track and give the Ducks some much needed rest.
“It’s just some time off to heal up some of the wounded,” Gamez said.
The team is scheduled to practice today, Gamez said.
“I’d rather practice,” Wangler said. “It’s nice to have some time off, but at the same time we have a lot to work on.”

Stretching the arms
Junior pitcher Connie McMurren was not 100 percent healthy when she was roughed up by the Beavers Saturday. Bothered by the flu, McMurren allowed seven runs — four earned — on six hits in 2 2/3 innings. McMurren, who is third on the school’s all-time strikeout list, has an 8-13 record this season.
The Oregon pitching staff is last in the Pac-10 in ERA (2.79) and opponents batting average (.244).