With the Ducks baseball season set to get underway on Friday, with a four-game series at Hawaii, the staff previews the team’s strengths and areas for improvement heading into the season

What do you see as the strengths of this year’s team?

Andrew Murray: The starting four in the rotation is unmatched in the Pac-12. Starters Jake Reed, Jeff Gold, and Brando Tessar are all returning this year and support a staff that finished with a 2.99 ERA overall last year. The bullpen is also a strength with Thomas Thorpe and Jimmie Sherfy returning. The Ducks will most likely rely on the pitching staff to carry them once again unless the offense improves.

Bri Amaranthus: I think the strength of this year’s team is their pitching. With four returning pitchers, including reliever Jimmie Sherfy, the Ducks are looking good on the mound.

Erin Maloney: The Ducks have four returning starting pitchers along with all American relief pitcher Jimmie Sherfy. A strong returning pitching staff and seven returning position starters should provide the experience needed to successfully navigate a tough PAC 12 schedule. Lastly, George Horton and a knowledgable and experienced coaching staff will always be a strength for the Ducks.

Anthony Piganelli: Their main strength, despite the loss of star right hander Alex Kuedell, will be their strong pitching staff that is complemented with a deep, young bullpen. Overall the ducks have the potential to improve from last years super regional finish, however they have to piece it all together from day one in order to compete in this best conference in baseball.

What are the Ducks going to have to do this season in order to improve upon their super regional exit last year?

Murray: The Ducks hosted a phenomenal pitching staff last year, with major contributions from returners Reed and Sherfy. However, the offense was a work in progress with just a .265 team batting average, ranked 214th overall in the country. Brett Thomas and Ryon Healy hit .313 and .312 respectively, but didn’t supply many home runs. The whole lineup will have to carry their weight if they’re going to take pressure off of the pitching staff.

Amaranthus: I think this is going to be a great season for Oregon baseball. For the Ducks to improve their post-season finish, I think the team will need to string hits together and capitalize on rallies. Leaving base runners in scoring position is a killer. When the defense and pitching is performing, getting those runs could be the difference in a win or a loss.

Maloney:  The Ducks will again rely on the success of an experienced returning pitching staff and one of the nation’s best college relief pitchers in Sherfy. The Ducks had a stellar 2012 campaign, but the lack timely hitting in the Super Regional against Kent State kept them from advancing to the College World Series. Last year’s Super Regional disappointment should be a great learning experience for the Ducks. The 2013 Duck baseball team is now more seasoned and ready to take the next step.

Piganelli: If the Oregon baseball team wants to improve on their crushing super regional loss to Kent State last year, they will need to improve their offense significantly. The pitching carried them for most of last year, however, the loss of Keudell means the hitting will need to pick up the slack.