With high expectations and a roster full of experienced talent, the Oregon baseball team is set to begin the 2011 regular season Friday night.
The Ducks, who earned a No. 14 preseason ranking from Baseball America, visit the University of Hawaii for a four-game set running Friday through Monday.
Oregon is only 1-9 in 10 meetings with Hawaii, and although the Warriors enter the season unranked, they’ll pose a tough opening test for Oregon. After winning the Western Athletic Conference’s tournament last season, Hawaii advanced to the NCAA Regional Championship Game before finally succumbing to Arizona State.
The Warriors return a number of talented players from that squad, including four preseason all-WAC selections (Kolten Wong, Matt Sisto, Jeff Van Doornum and Lenny Linsky) as well as the preseason player of the year (Wong). Hawaii was picked to finish second in the WAC in a preseason poll of league coaches.
The optimism surrounding Hawaii’s program comes from its abundance of returning stars.
In addition to the aforementioned preseason all-WAC selections, the Warriors retain the services of two of their three wins leaders (Sisto and Alex Capaul) and five of their seven leading hitters.
Of course, Oregon returns more than its fair share of talent as well. The Ducks return seven pitchers from last year’s staff that posted a 3.29 ERA, good for second in the Pacific-10 Conference and third in the nation.
Baseball America preseason All-American Tyler Anderson, considered one of the best pitchers in the college game, will make his debut Friday, and he’s complemented by a deep rotation and strong bullpen.
Madison Boer (3-1, 2.44 ERA in 2010), Christian Jones (2-2, 3.71 ERA) and Alex Keudell (5-6, 4.14 ERA) round out the starting rotation, while closer Scott McGough, who earned Pac-10 honorable mention honors after notching four saves and a 2.45 ERA last year, and Joey Housey (3-2, 1.88 ERA) highlight the Ducks’ bullpen.
Oregon’s lineup should be stout as well. The Ducks return 12 position players and six starters from last year’s team, including the leader in hits and stolen bases, KC Serna; doubles, Danny Pulfer; and walks and triples, Marcus Piazzisi.
Serna, however, will miss the Ducks’ opener as he is still facing an indefinite suspension for violating team rules.
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No. 14 Ducks fly to Hawaii for season’s first series
Daily Emerald
February 16, 2011
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