Oregon Ducks Baseball Faces Arizona in Tight Late-Season Chase for Pac-12 Title
Oregon Ducks baseball hosts the Arizona Wildcats in a pivotal Pac-12 series this weekend at PK Park. The Ducks are fueled by their historical win on Tuesday against the Portland Pilots.
Head coach George Horton was honored before the game for earning his 1,000th career victory the previous game. Outfielder Austin Grebeck set the single seasons run record against the Pilots, third for most walks in a single game and is tied ninth for all-time with his 96th run.
The team had eight hits in the first inning, which was the single most hits in an inning in program history. The team’s 12 at-bats in the inning also tied their single game record.
This is Oregon’s final home Pac-12 conference match-up. Ten teams have the opportunity to still win the conference title, as only four games separate the first place and tenth place teams.
Oregon’s bullpen has proved in recent weeks to work fluidly together to secure a series win against Oregon State and Portland. The Ducks are just three games behind the first place Utah Utes.
Arizona is 32-18 this season and 15-12 the Pac-12. The Wildcats are ranked 29th overall in the NCAA. Oregon’s record is 26-22 overall and 12-12 in the Pac-12.
The unranked Ducks have been utilizing much of their team, using frequent rotations. Matt Krook, the All-American pitcher, will be important to the team’s performance in this series. He is 18th in the country with 11.47 strikeouts per nine innings. Arizona’s All-American third baseman and right-handed pitcher Bobby Dalbec will challenge Krook. Dalbec is the reigning Pac-12 home run leader and looks to continue that dominance.
Arizona has the advantage as a ranked team, and has a better record, but the conference is wide open and this series will determine both teams’ postseason fates.
The Ducks hope to use their historical momentum to clinch the series against fellow Pac-12 competitors Arizona at PK Park. Tune in to Pac-12 Networks for the first pitch, Friday at 4 pm.
