WCWS: Duck Softball Must Win to Extend Historic Season

Oregon softball is looking to avoid a similar fate from the Women’s College World Series. The Ducks face Baylor in a few hours with their season on the line. UO is hoping their fourth appearance in the last six years at the WCWS will be a memorable journey.

The Ducks began the season 35-0 for the greatest start in college softball history. They enter their second game of the WCWS with an impressive record of 52-7.

Following a brutal loss to rival Washington, the green and yellow must remain calm. This is a youthful bunch, therefore I don’t see the moment overwhelming them. It’s almost the perfect situation for a young team.

Needing to win to stay alive, head coach Mike White and company will come out with a sense of urgency against Baylor. Look for the Ducks to be aggressive once they reach base, as per usual. A team with over 100 stolen bases entering play doesn’t wait around for chances, they create their own opportunities.

In 2012, the Ducks lost to Arizona State, 3-1, in the first round of the WCWS. After defeating Tennessee, 3-1, in the elimination round, the Ducks were derailed by Cal later that evening. The Tide rolled to the national championship.

As the No. 1 team in 2014, Oregon shutout Florida State 3-0 in the first round. The next day, the Ducks lost to eventual champion Florida, 4-0. Following a big win against Oklahoma, 4-2, UO fell one game shy of the ‘14 World Series when they lost to Alabama, 2-0.

The next year, the Ducks lost to UCLA, 2-1, as the No. 2 team in the country. The first round loss enlisted UO in the elimination round. A heartbreaking 11-10 loss to Auburn ended another season prematurely. The Gators chomped their way to back-to-back titles in 2015.

Will 2017 be any different? If mindset is any indicator, then expect a different outcome.

The No. 3 Ducks are set to face No. 15 Baylor (48-14) at 11:30 a.m. PT from USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City. If the Ducks defeat the Bears, they will play No. 13 LSU (47-20) tonight. First pitch of the second game is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. PT.

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