Oregon baseball won 40 games, finished tied for fifth in the Pacific-10 Conference, and earned a trip to Connecticut and an NCAA Regional berth.
Not bad for the program’s second season in 28 years.
Oregon head coach George Horton said the Ducks’ goal every year is to go to the College World Series, but realistically, this was a great year for his team. Oregon won 26 more games overall than last year, including 10 more in conference. Even so, the competitor in Horton thought the Ducks could have gone to a Super Regional, and perhaps the College World Series.
“When I take a step back, I’m proud of our accomplishments, but sad we didn’t do better in the regional,” Horton said. “If we play perfect baseball, which is hard to do, maybe we get through that.”
Horton does committee work in Omaha, Neb., during which he took in the College World Series as a spectator, and made a bold claim to the other committee members.
“I told them I would see them next year, but with my team, not by myself,” Horton said. “I would be disappointed if we didn’t make it to the College World Series.”
“I’m not afraid of the pressure of expectations,” he said.
Although the majority of Horton’s team is still in the program, the Ducks do lose a few key players. Starting catcher Eddie Rodriguez and pitcher Zack Thornton, who both earned honorable mention All-Pac-10 honors, graduated, as well as pitchers Justin LaTempa and Drew Gagnier. All signed with MLB teams.
Horton said Paul Eshleman and Mitch Karraker are the frontrunners to replace Rodriguez, and the Ducks signed several pitchers who could replace Thornton and LaTempa. Nick Kingham and Brando Tessar, both right-handers, will be in the mix. Oregon also returns several quality arms, including Tyler Anderson and Joey Housey, so it shouldn’t be lacking for pitching.
With success comes greater expectations, but the Ducks are embracing the opportunity to get better this summer. Some are playing summer baseball, others recovering from injuries and still others taking summer classes.
Several Ducks are playing baseball in summer leagues to stay sharp. Alex Keudell, Nick Wagner (Anchorage Glacier Pilots) and Kellen Moen (Peninsula Oilers) are playing in the Alaska Baseball League. Christian Jones, Scott McGough, KC Serna (Falmouth Commodores) and Anderson (Cotuit Kettleers) are playing in the Cape Cod League. Ryan Hambright, Housey, Andrew Mendenhall, Danny Pulfer (Rochester Honkers) and Madison Boer (LaCrosse Loggers) are playing in the Northwoods League. Paul Eshleman (Kitsap BlueJackets) and Karraker (Bend Elks) are playing in the West Coast League. Dylan Gavin (San Luis Obispo Blues) is playing in the California Collegiate League.
Jack Marder is rehabbing a nagging injury in his hometown of Calabasas, Calif. and occasionally playing baseball. He passed up an opportunity to play in Alaska, and his main focus is getting healthy after struggling through his freshman season.
Some players are taking summer classes, such as Marcus Piazzisi, and taking care of other academically related issues.
Freshman outfielder Steven Packard will be leaving for two years on a Mormon mission. He was named Pac-10 honorable mention in his freshman season and batted .333. Horton said Packard plans to return to the team after his mission has been served.
“We knew coming in he was going to do that,” Horton said.
Horton says it doesn’t matter what needs to be done this summer, as long as everyone takes care of what they need to do. He said they need to “control the controllables” and put themselves in a good position to start the season.
“We can’t wait to start the season; we ended it with a lot better taste in our mouth. We have a burning desire to get back on the field,” Horton said.

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