After a tremendous freshman season, Cheridan Hawkins is stepping up as a leader for the Oregon softball team. Following the graduation of all time wins leader Jessica Moore, Hawkins is taking over as the team’s number one starter.
Caitlin Dieni has the story.
First pitch for Game 1 of the Oregon vs. Nebraska Super Regional is set for 5 PM PT today. Chris Brooklier, Alex King and Jonathan Style provide analysis and predictions for this weekend’s series at Howe Field.
Despite sweeping regionals last weekend, the Ducks high powered offense only scored 11 runs in 3 games. Do you think this is simply a slump or rather a pattern that will continue into the Nebraska super regional? Why?
CB: The Ducks should not be worried about their perceived lack of production in the regionals. While Oregon only scored 11 runs last weekend, they hit three home runs. Once the Ducks get runners on base and combine that with their power, they’ll find more success.
AK: Nebraska has an impressive record of 40-5 when their opponent scores less than four runs in a game. Because the Ducks struggled to score more than 3 runs against both North Carolina and Wisconsin in last weekend’s regional tournament, Oregon is at risk of being handed a loss unless their bats can heat up. Fortunately for the Ducks, they have several players such as Peterson, Pappas, and Lindvall who all homered last weekend and should bring plenty of power to the lineup for this weekend’s super regional series.
JS: I think it was just an off weekend for the Ducks hitters. All season they’ve found a way to get their bats going whether it be early or late in the game. So I think what we saw in the regionals was a slump, but even if Oregon struggles to get some runs this weekend they have enough pitching in order to get the job done.
What about Nebraska do you think will give Oregon trouble?
CB: The Huskers pitching will give the Ducks the most trouble. Nebraska features Big 10 pitcher of the year Tatum Edwards and freshman stud Emily Lockman. Edwards was 29-8, with 28 complete games, and a 1.83 era.
AK: Nebraska is known to be a “streak snapping” team. Where Oregon’s greatest concern should lie is with the latest streak this Huskers team has snapped. Prior to their victory against No. 13 Stanford, the Nebraska was on a seven-game NCAA Tournament losing streak against Pac-12 teams. The next streak the Huskers will be looking to snap is their 10-game road losing streak to Pac-12 opponents. Nebraska would be thrilled to hand the No. 3 ranked Ducks their first home loss of the season.
JS: The Nebraska pitching will give the Ducks the most trouble this weekend. Nebraska’s Tatum Edwards was the Big Ten Pitcher of the Year and their number two pitcher Emily Lockman is no slouch either. The Ducks showed last weekend that they struggled a little bit versus Big Ten pitching and I think the Cornhuskers staff will pose the biggest threat to stopping the Ducks return to the Women’s College World Series.
Who will win this series, in how many games, and why?
CB: The Ducks will sweep this series because while the Huskers have a talented pitching staff, the Ducks have just that much more talent offensively. Jess Moore will also keep her hot streak as the Ducks ace and limit the Huskers offense.
AK: The Ducks will win this series in three games. Oregon handed Nebraska a tough loss back on February 23rd in a run-rule victory. Only four teams have beaten Nebraska by more than 3 runs and when given a second chance at those opponents that had beaten them, Nebraska has proven nothing is sweeter than revenge. After losing to No. 1 Oklahoma, Nebraska bounced back to beat the Sooners in a 1-0 victory snapping their 17- game winning streak. If someone can break the home winning streak of the Ducks it will be the Huskers.
JS: I think when it’s all said and done the Ducks will be returning to Oklahoma City. They just have too much pitching and I don’t think Nebraska will be able to handle the stuff that Jessica Moore and Cheridan Hawkins have. I think the Ducks win in two but both games will be low scoring affairs.
Follow @DuckTVSports on Twitter for live updates all series long.
The Oregon Ducks advanced to their fourth straight super regional with a 3-0 victory over Wisconsin Saturday afternoon at Howe Field.
Wisconsin starting pitcher Cassandra Darrah held the Ducks to just three total hits for the game, but two of those hits were home runs from Samantha Pappas and Janelle Lindvall. Pappas went yard in the second inning, while Lindvall’s two-run blast came in the top of the seventh. Oregon freshman pitcher Cheridan Hawkins pitched four shutout innings before Jessica Moore closed out the final three frames.
The Ducks host the super regional next week and will play the winner of the Lincoln, NB regional, which will be determined on Sunday afternoon.
The Oregon softball team earned the no. 3 overall seed in this year’s NCAA Tournament and will be hosting a regional at Howe Field this week.
1) What team in the regional poses the biggest threat to Oregon and why?
Lizzie Stapleton: Wisconsin is the highest ranked team in the regional at No. 24 after the Ducks at No. 3. The other opponents, North Carolina and BYU are not ranked in the top 25; therefore, those teams are low on the Duck’s radar. With Wisconsin’s strong record of 42-11 the Badgers pose the biggest threat to the Ducks.
Ryan Rouillard: I’m not sure there’s a legitimate threat to Oregon, but within this field, I’ll take Wisconsin as the most likely to hand Oregon a loss. Cassandra Darrah in the circle is a workhorse. Should Oregon and Wisconsin meet Friday morning though, it would be interesting to see if the Badgers throw Darrah or go to Megan McIntosh for a fresher arm in a big game. With the sticks, the Badgers have a little pop. Mary Massei in the leadoff spot is a threat to get on base, as is Shannel Blackshear (career OBP of .399). If the Badgers can put a complete game together, they might be able to hand Oregon a loss.
Andrew Murray: The North Carolina Tar Heels boast a deep lineup full of All ACC Tournament sluggers first baseman Constance Orr and infielder Haleigh Dickey. Shortstop Kristen Brown and infielder Amber Parrish also add to the Tar Heels’ stacked lineup. If any team can match Oregon’s consistency on offense, it’s the Tar Heels. The only problem for the Tar Heels: they’re 6-12 away from their home turf.
Alexandria King: The Wisconsin Badgers are going to be the biggest challenge the Oregon Ducks will face at this weekend’s NCAA regional tournament in Eugene. The third ranked Ducks have not faced the 25th ranked Badgers since 2001 and a lot has changed in the Badger program in the past 12 years. Just this past weekend, the Badgers defeated No. 6 Michigan on their way to the school’s first ever Big Ten Softball Tournament Title.
2) Should Oregon fans be concerned about the recent pitching struggles of Cheridan Hawkins, heading into a high stakes regional tournament?
Rouillard: If there’s anything that concerns me about Cheridan Hawkins, it’s not her recent struggles; it’s her age. As a freshman, I have to wonder how she’ll handle the bigger stage of a tournament scenario. If things go downhill, how will she respond? Mike White would be wise to have Karissa Hovinga up and ready should Hawkins fall apart early in her start, likely coming Friday morning.
Murray: There’s not too much cause to be concerned for Cheridan Hawkins heading into the regionals. She still possesses a dangerous ability to ring up strikeouts at will, with 196 strikeouts in 125 1/3 innings. While she is a freshman and has had the occasional bad outing (including against Arizona State last weekend), her poise and confidence is enough to push her through any threats this weekend at the regionals.
King: Duck fans have nothing to worry about when it comes to this freshman lefty pitcher. According to Hawkins’ Twitter account, the pitcher’s circle is her “favorite place to be in life”. What more could you want from a pitcher? With teammate Jessica Moore and Hawkins teaming up to throw back-to-back no hitters just one month ago, this dynamic duo is going to create problems for opponents. The experience that Moore brings to the table is only going allow her to prepare the freshman for the competition ahead.
Stapleton: Cheridan Hawkins sounded very confident in an interview with GODUCKSTV this week regarding the team’s confidence coming into the tournament. The freshman pitcher did not shy away from questions about her struggles. Her mind seemed to be set on the tournament and did not show worry whatsoever.
1) Oregon State has a decided advantage in the pitching staff, how will Oregon combat this deficiency?
Murray: Similar to what manager George Horton has done all season, he will have to control a power arm staff with a small ball attitude. The Ducks have only two notable sluggers in Ryon Healy and Mitchell Tolman. Any time that the Ducks have swung for the fences at PK Park, they’ve come up empty offensively. Ducks pitchers Cole Irvin, Tommy Thorpe and Jake Reed will have to hold down the fort while Horton strategizes. The 5 through 9 hitters in particular will have to stay patient against the vaunted Beavers staff if they are to generate any offense.
King: The only combative response to a strong pitching staff is going to be the response of the Ducks’ bats. Mitchell Tolman who has been hitting in the clean-up spot needs to have a big series for the Ducks. Tolman leads the team in batting average (.367) and on base percentage (.435). If he can step up and help lead a rally his teammates Ryon Healy and Brett Thomas are sure to show up in the clutch as they have in series past. The Ducks could really use an 11th homerun by Healy this weekend against the Beavers.
Stapleton: Oregon State has the #2 ERA in the nation coming in with 2.12 earned run average per game. Oregon’s offense, with players like Mitchell Tolman, Ryon Healey and Brett Thomas all batting over .300, will have to lead the team against the Beavers strong pitching arsenal. Tolman went 7-12 (.583) in the recent series against Ohio State, in which the Ducks swept the Buckeyes, and is looking to carry the Oregon offense in the upcoming series against OSU.
Rouillard: The only way Oregon can combat the Beavers’ strong pitching will be through a balanced effort at the plate. Ryon Healy’s and Mitchell Tolman’s contributions can’t be forgotten but they need help from throughout the order. Brett Thomas has been finding ways to get on base lately and the Ducks will need the same from Aaron Payne and JJ Altobelli. The caveat to all of this is that the Oregon pitching needs to hold the Beavers in check to allow for the offense to score, because even with a balanced effort, they’re probably not going to get much off a staff with an ERA just north of 2.
3) Who wins the series and why?
AK: When comparing the teams’ stats side by side the Beavers look like they have what it takes to win the series. The Beavers are coming off a huge series win against Pac-12 rival Stanford that will give the team some added momentum coming into the series against the Ducks. But when you begin to factor in the Ducks home field advantage as well as the excitement of freshman Cole Irvin being named this week’s Pac-12 pitcher of the week you can’t count the Ducks out. In true Civil War excitement I think this series will come down to Game 3 Sunday afternoon at PK Park.
LS: Both teams have a strong pitching staff, and are coming off recent Pac-12 victories. Oregon is currently riding a 7-game winning streak and is looking to extend with a full head of steam. With that being said, Oregon State is coming off a 12-game winning streak, and shows no signs of slowing down. However, the Ducks will be playing at home this weekend, with their fan’s full support of upsetting the Beavers. Considering Oregon State’s # 2 ERA in the nation, and their higher ranking in the coaches’ poll, I predict the Beavers will win 2 of the three games in Eugene and win the series.
RR: Oregon State should be heading back to Corvallis on Sunday with a 2-1 series win and the Pac-12 title one win away. I’m not terribly concerned with the Ducks’ pitching, but their hitting still leaves a lot to be desired. Many say these two teams are pretty evenly matched but I’m not so sure. The harsh reality may hit Duck fans right in the face this weekend if the Beavers execute like they can.
AM: Oregon State has the advantage in a lot of departments. At times, the Oregon offense has been inept against top 20 competition. The series against Vanderbilt and Cal State Fullerton both involved the Ducks losing the first two games due to a lack of offensive production. The story will most likely be the same as the Beavers’ staff will shut down the Ducks’ lineup.
