Most members of the coachspeak-analyzing, press conference-watching community knew Oregon baseball head coach Mark Wasikowski thought highly of Angel Laya. Still, few could have predicted the four-game start to the season that the true freshman had over opening weekend.

Laya slashed .538/.600/1.077 with a 1.677 OPS. in four games against the George Mason Patriots as the Ducks swept their first series of the season. 

“I’m feeling great,” Laya said after the first game of his college career. “To be able to be behind those guys in the dugout, they bring the energy every day, I’m grateful.”

After going 3-4 in his first career game as a Duck, he blasted two homers and drove in three runs in the second game of the series. Laya reached base multiple times in all four games, anchoring an Oregon offense that scored 45 runs over the weekend. 

“I played to the standard,” Laya said. “It’s fun to compete with the guys but playing to the standard and succeeding will help you start.”

“He’s a dog,” designated hitter Dominic Hellman said of Laya. “That guy is a grinder out there … That’s just the thing that he brings to the table is, not only he just looks the part, but mentally, he’s good. He’s a vet. I’m not worried about him.”

Getting Laya to campus was an accomplishment in itself for Wasikowski and company, with the outfielder receiving significant MLB Draft hype out of Eastlake High School in San Diego, California. Boston Red Sox infielder Marcelo Mayer also was a top draft pick out of Eastlake. Now, in Eugene, Laya is making his mark early on in his young college career.

Oregon will host Youngstown State University in a four-game series starting Feb. 19.