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.