Photo by: Eric Evans/GoDucks.com
Softball Picked to Win Pac-12 in Preseason Coaches Poll
02/05/18 | Softball
EUGENE, Ore. - The Oregon softball team has been picked to win the Pac-12 in the 2018 preseason coaches poll.
The Ducks (54-8, 17-6 Pac-12) finished second in the league last year, a half game back of Arizona (18-6) due to a rain out in Oregon's series at Utah. Prior to that, Oregon had won four straight conference championships from 2013-16.
Oregon returns all three starting pitchers from a team that ranked first in the Pac-12 with a 1.41 ERA. Now a sophomore, RHP Maggie Balint was second in the Pac-12 with 1.22 ERA. RHP Megan Kleist was just behind her in third with a 1.32 ERA. RHP Miranda Elish ranked third on the Ducks and fifth in the league with a 1.79 ERA.
The Ducks will have to make up for some losses in their lineup. All-Americans SS Nikki Udria and OF Danica Mercado graduated last season but Oregon returns OF Alexis Mack, who led the conference with 28 stolen bases and tied for the Pac-12 lead with a .424 batting average. During Oregon's return to the semifinals of the Women's College World Series last year, freshman OF Shannon Rhodes hit a team-best .476 in postseason play with five runs and six RBIs in nine games. Seniors C Gwen Svekis, 3B Jenna Lilley and 2B Lauren Lindvall are also back to form a veteran infield alongside transfer SS DJ Sanders, who led the NCAA with 29 home runs last season at Louisiana.
Oregon opens the 2018 season on Feb. 8 against No. 25 Georgia at the Kajikawa Classic in Tempe, Ariz. The game will be aired live on Pac-12 Networks.
Pac-12 Preseason Coaches Poll
(First Place Votes)
1. Oregon (7)
2. UCLA (2)
3. Washington
4. Arizona
5. Utah
6. Arizona State
7. Cal
8. Oregon State
9. Stanford
The Ducks (54-8, 17-6 Pac-12) finished second in the league last year, a half game back of Arizona (18-6) due to a rain out in Oregon's series at Utah. Prior to that, Oregon had won four straight conference championships from 2013-16.
Oregon returns all three starting pitchers from a team that ranked first in the Pac-12 with a 1.41 ERA. Now a sophomore, RHP Maggie Balint was second in the Pac-12 with 1.22 ERA. RHP Megan Kleist was just behind her in third with a 1.32 ERA. RHP Miranda Elish ranked third on the Ducks and fifth in the league with a 1.79 ERA.
The Ducks will have to make up for some losses in their lineup. All-Americans SS Nikki Udria and OF Danica Mercado graduated last season but Oregon returns OF Alexis Mack, who led the conference with 28 stolen bases and tied for the Pac-12 lead with a .424 batting average. During Oregon's return to the semifinals of the Women's College World Series last year, freshman OF Shannon Rhodes hit a team-best .476 in postseason play with five runs and six RBIs in nine games. Seniors C Gwen Svekis, 3B Jenna Lilley and 2B Lauren Lindvall are also back to form a veteran infield alongside transfer SS DJ Sanders, who led the NCAA with 29 home runs last season at Louisiana.
Oregon opens the 2018 season on Feb. 8 against No. 25 Georgia at the Kajikawa Classic in Tempe, Ariz. The game will be aired live on Pac-12 Networks.
Pac-12 Preseason Coaches Poll
(First Place Votes)
1. Oregon (7)
2. UCLA (2)
3. Washington
4. Arizona
5. Utah
6. Arizona State
7. Cal
8. Oregon State
9. Stanford
Players Mentioned
RHP
/ Softball
RHP
/ Softball
RHP
/ Softball
IF
/ Softball
IF
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
IF
/ Softball
C
/ Softball
IF
/ Softball2024-25 Oregon Softball Intro Video
Thursday, June 12
The Power of Seven.
Thursday, May 29
The Oregon Softball Fan Experience | 2025 NCAA Super Regionals
Monday, May 26
Oregon Softball | NCAA Super Regionals | Postgame - Game 2
Sunday, May 25
