By Tayten Torgrimson
Queue up, “On the Road Again” by Willie Nelson because No. 14 Oregon Softball is continuing the early season trip from February 16th through the 18th in San Diego, CA. On Monday, outfielder Ariel Carlson received Pac-12 Player of the Week honors. Carlson is currently second on the team batting average wise, hitting .500, only trailing Kai Luschar who is batting .550. Carlson also posted two home runs and ten runs batted in. I think something that will come out in this tournament is how this team battles fatigue. Plane trips, back-to-back games, and five games in three days will be a tough test.
Games 1 and 5 vs Texas A&M: Fri, Feb 16 @ 10 A.M and Sat, Feb 18 @ 10 A.M.
Oregon
To win these games, Oregon must play a complete seven innings. Texas A&M started the season hot at 4-0 with only one game going the full seven innings due to the mercy rule. I think the Ducks do have the advantage on paper. Comparing the schedules, Oregon played three WCWS teams from last season, Texas A&M hasn’t played any. Keep an eye on Kai Luschar and Ariel Carlson to lift the offense up when needed. I’d also keep eyes on Taylour Spencer, who is 2-0 to start the season and posted a .60 WHIP.
Texas A&M
The Aggies must ride the hot hand coming into this game. 4-0 to start is impressive, no matter who A&M beat. Like Oregon, A&M can hit. Keep eyes on Allie Enright, she’s batting .667 with a 2.505 OPS. Enright hit three home runs with ten RBIs this past weekend. I think this team will give Oregon a run for their money, this game will be decided ultimately by defense, and the Aggies impress with their staff, pitcher Emily Leavitt has a 0.00 ERA.
Projected Lineups
Oregon
- DP-Emma Kauf
- LF-Kai Luschar
- RF-Ariel Carlson
- 1B-Alyssa Daniel
- C-Vallery Wong
- CF-Hanna Delgado
- 2B-KK Humphreys
- 3B-Tehya Bird
- SS-Paige Sinicki
Starting Pitcher: Stevie Hansen (Game 1 and 5)
Texas A&M
- SS-Koko Wooley
- 3B-Kennedy Powell
- RF-Allie Enright
- LF-Keely Williams
- 2B-Rylen Williams
- C-Julia Cottrill
- CF-Jazmine Hill
- 1B-Amari Harper
- DP-Trinity Cannon
Starting Pitcher: Shaylee Ackerman
Game 2 and 3 vs Loyola Marymount (CA): Fri, Feb 16 and 17 @ 12:30 P.M.
Oregon
A major concern for me in game one is fatigue. After facing a top 25 team in Texas A&M, Oregon is going to have to rely on solid play from stars. I think Taylour Spencer will shine in this game, even more than she already has this season. Alyssa Daniell, facing her old team, could be an offensive player to look out for. If she has a good game, Oregon should win. Day two, I think Oregon will handle the Lions, hitting will shine.
Loyola Marymount
I think Loyola Marymount is still trying to get the early season rust off. Facing two teams ranked in the top 15 early in the season will do that. Oregon will come into the first game looking to route the Lions and go back, which I think is an advantage for LMU. If the Lions can catch the Ducks early and get them on their heels, there is a chance for an upset.
Projected Lineups
Oregon
- RF-Kai Luschar
- 1B-Alyssa Daniel
- RF-Ariel Carlson
- DP-Emma Kauf
- CF-Hanna Delgado
- C-Vallery Wong
- SS-Paige Sinicki
- KK Humphreys
- 3B-Tehya Bird
Starting Pitcher: Morgan Scott
Loyola Marymount
- 1B/3B-Adele Braun
- 3B/SS-Hayley Olivas
- RF-Lauryn Carter
- CF-Avery Francis
- 2B/1B-Sakora Harvell
- SS-Milan Ah Yat
- DP-Mika Chong
- LF-Jasmine Sofowora
- 2B-Madalie Gomez
Starting Pitcher: Jessica Hubbard (Game 2) Lindsay O’Dell (Game 3)
Game 4 vs San Diego St: Sat, Feb 17 @5:30 P.M.
Oregon
The Ducks must produce offensively. San Diego State has great defense and pitching, #3 Stanford scored only three runs. I think Oregon can’t look at their record going into this game. I believe Aztec fans are going to pack out the stadium for the games this whole weekend as the tournament host. Oregon must shut down the offense early, coming into the tournament, SDSU has won two straight. Keep eyes on a possible duo of Stevie Hansen and Morgan Scott to shut down the Aztec offense.
San Diego St
Defense will be huge. If Oregon gets hot, I think Oregon will crush the Aztecs. I do think that having a home crowd advantage will give them a boost for every game. I think that pitcher Dee Dee Hernandez is going to be a difference maker. I also think Micaela Macario and Mac Barbara can lift the Aztec offense if needed. I think the biggest difference in this game will be the crowd, if Oregon can get the crowd quiet early, they should win. If SDSU protects home field, an upset is possible.
Projected Lineups
Oregon
- DP-Emma Kauf
- LF-Kai Luschar
- RF-Ariel Carlson
- 1B-Alyssa Daniel
- C-Vallery Wong
- RF-Kedre Luschar
- 2B-KK Humphreys
- 3B-Tehya Bird
- SS-Paige Sinicki
Starting Pitcher: Morgan Scott
San Diego State
- RF-AJ Murphy
- SS-Katie Goldberg
- 2B-Micaela Macario
- C/DP-Cali Decker
- 1B-Mac Barbara
- CF-Macey Keester
- 3B-Angie Yellen
- LF-Makena Brocki
- DP/C-Alyssa Garcia
Starting Pitcher: Cece Cellura