This Friday marks the beginning of an exciting series for the Oregon Ducks baseball team as they host Rutgers in what promises to be a thrilling matchup. With games scheduled for March 21 at 3:05 p.m., March 22 at 2:05 p.m., and concluding with a Sunday matchup on March 23 at 12:05 p.m., the Ducks are looking to build on a strong start to their season.
Currently sitting at 17-4, Oregon has one of its best starts in school history. This impressive performance ranks second only to the legendary 1963 Ducks team that began its season with a 19-2 run. As the Ducks gear up for their first season in the Big Ten Conference, their record through 21 games showcases their competitiveness, with this record being the second-best in the program's history.
Since 2021, the Ducks have amassed 173 wins, ranking third among teams on the West Coast with a .665 winning percentage. This weekend’s games will mark the Ducks' continued journey in their new conference as they look to capitalize on their current success.
The Ducks also recently celebrated the recognition of Collin Clarke, who was named the Big Ten Pitcher of the Week after his standout performance against Minnesota. Clarke recorded eight strikeouts while allowing no earned runs and just three hits over seven innings. His performance has solidified his role as a critical component of Oregon’s pitching rotation.
Oregon opened its Big Ten season with a sweep over former conference rival USC. Following this series, they will face another challenge in Ohio State next week, marking the start of their road competitions against the Big Ten. The Ducks will be hosting Michigan in their own ballpark on April 4-6 and will venture to Maryland, Michigan State, and Iowa throughout the season.
Before this season, Oregon held a 6-11 all-time record against teams from the Big Ten, so this new transition poses both a challenge and an opportunity as the Ducks take on new rivals.
On the field, the Ducks have excelled in all facets of the game, ranking prominently in numerous NCAA statistical categories. In fact, they stand out nationally in 18 of the 31 categories tracked by NCAA, indicating depth and quality across all gameplay elements. Oregon leads the nation in sacrifice flies and is also eighth in runs scored, showing their offensive prowess in games.
During the Mark Wasikowski era, the Ducks have surged in their offensive capabilities, increasing their home run record significantly. Oregon’s teams have collectively broken the home run record multiple times, with the 2023 team setting a new benchmark of 75 home runs during their campaign. Currently, this year’s team is on track to reach an astounding 98 home runs based on their early-season performance, having hit 37 home runs in just 21 games.
Adding to this impressive roster of rising stars, Dominic Hellman won two awards last week following the Ducks’ Columbia series, praised for his remarkable performance within the batting lineup. Hellman achieved an outstanding slash line of .500/.583/1.056 with a mind-blowing 1.639 OPS, registering three home runs and driving in 13 runs. His performance made him the recipient of both the NCBWA National Hitter of the Week and the Big Ten Player of the Week honors.
Following Hellman’s achievements, newcomer Burke-Lee Mabeus earned co-Freshman of the Week recognition after he contributed to the Ducks’ triumph over Rhode Island. Mabeus boasted a .444/.500/.778 batting line, showcasing his budding talents behind the plate as he helped Oregon secure wins in those games.
An instrumental player to watch this season is Jacob Walsh, the Ducks' first baseman, who continues to build on his record-setting career. Walsh already holds the career home run record at Oregon with 44 long balls to his name and leads with the multi-RBI record, achieving 39 multiple-RBI games. As a consistent presence in the lineup with a career batting average of .272, Walsh provides substantial firepower to the Ducks' offense.
Equally noteworthy is sophomore Maddox Molony, whose performance this season has made headlines as he maintains a batting average of .357. Following a record-setting freshman campaign, Molony’s continued growth symbolizes the bright future ahead for the Ducks.
As the season progresses, junior Mason Neville's emergence as a key player is evident, having amassed 17 extra-base hits including 10 home runs and ranking seventh in the nation for this prestigious category. His ability to contribute across the board makes him a valuable asset to the team.
On the mound, Collin Clarke continues to shine with a standout 2.08 ERA, which places him fifth in the Big Ten in this critical statistical measure. With his recent accolades and continued performance, Clarke has solidified his spot as a key figure in the Ducks' pitching strategy.
Grayson Grinsell is another pitcher on the rise, poised to reach 200 career strikeouts shortly. With 199 strikeouts to his name in just two-plus seasons, he has made a significant impact on the Ducks' rotation and is recognized nationally with nominations for the Golden Spikes watch list and All-American teams.
As Oregon heads into this weekend's series against Rutgers, fans are eager to see how this talented roster further cements their legacy in the Big Ten and continues to rewrite the Ducks' record books. With momentum on their side and historical prospects ahead, this series marks another chapter in what is shaping up to be a thrilling season for Oregon Ducks baseball.
