A quick glance at the record of Oregon’s softball team in the Pacific-10 Conference — 18-15 overall, 0-6 Pac-10 — and one might think that they are playing at the level of a local high school squad.
Looking at Oregon’s conference record last year (1-20) would only back up that deduction. But the Ducks’ record doesn’t tell the full story. They just have the unfortunate distinction of playing in a conference with seven other teams ranked in the top 14 in the nation.
Holding the top three slots in the national rankings, according to the April 3 poll, are No. 1 UCLA, No. 2 Arizona and No. 3 Stanford. Rounding out the Pac-10 are No. 6 California, No. 8 Arizona State, No. 10 Washington and No. 14 Oregon State.
Within the ranks of the Pac-10 are 13 of the country’s 25 finalists for the inaugural USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Award. Included on the list are Jocelyn Forest of California — who threw a three-hit shutout against Oregon in her last outing Sunday — and three members of the Arizona team, which the Ducks will play twice this weekend.
The Wildcats (35-5 overall, 4-1 Pac-10) had their streak of 70 consecutive home victories broken in a 6-5 loss to UCLA on Sunday. The loss also broke senior Jennie Finch’s 60-game winning streak. Last season, Finch was named the Pac-10 Pitcher of the Year and the Honda Award winner as the nation’s most outstanding player.

Rained out
The Ducks’ doubleheader against Portland State on Wednesday, a welcome break from Pac-10 play, was canceled due to rain. A makeup date has not yet been announced.
Oregon returns to action at 2 p.m. Friday against Arizona State, before they face Arizona at 2 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday. All the games will be held at Howe Field.