Home run derby field set for Alumni Weekend
11/18/22 | Baseball
EUGENE, Ore. – The field is set for Saturday's inaugural Alumni Weekend Home Run Derby with 16 former Ducks vying to take home the first Ducks Home Run Derby crown.
The field consists of Ducks that played between 2009 and 2021 and includes both former pitchers and hitters. Three Major League Baseball hurlers highlight the field with David Peterson (New York Mets), Jake Reed (Los Angeles Dodgers/New York Mets/Baltimore Orioles) and Ryne Nelson (Arizona Diamondbacks) taking part in the derby. Gabe Matthews and Kenyon Yovan highlight the former sluggers competing for the crown. Yovan ranks fourth all-time in career home runs at Oregon with 24, while Matthews is fifth with 22.
The home run derby begins at 2 p.m. at PK Park. Ducks' fans are invited to attend and bring their own snacks and beverages as part of their football tailgating experience before the Oregon vs. Utah football game.
Robert Ahlstrom (2019-21)
Ahlstrom spent three seasons in a Ducks uniform earning first-team All-Pac-12 Conference as a starting pitcher in 2021. The Ducks' lefty also claimed ABCA/Rawlings second-team All-West Region honors after finishing the year with a 9-3 record and a 2.50 ERA while also earning Pac-12 All-Defensive Team honors. Ahlstrom was picked in the seventh round of the 2021 MLB Draft by the New York Yankees and then traded to the Texas Rangers. He ended the 2022 season with the High-A Hickory Crawdads.
Jake Bennett (2016-17)
Bennett spent two season at Oregon after transferring from Western Nevada College. Bennett started 95 games during his two seasons in Eugene, including all 55 as a senior. The Forest Grove native earned honorable mention All-Pac-12 honors as a junior after leading the Ducks in batting average and on-base percentage while starting the final 39 games of the season.
Hunter Breault (2018-2021)
Breault spent four seasons with the Ducks culminating in a trip to the NCAA Eugene Regional in 2021. The Hawaii native was a key component in the back end of Oregon's bullpen during the 2020 and 2021 seasons making 22 of his 50 career appearances. Breault was selected in the 20th round of the 2021 MLB Draft by the Oakland A's and spent this summer playing for the Single-A Stockton Ports.
Drew Gagnier (2009-10)
A member of the first two teams in the modern era of Oregon baseball, Gagnier served as the Ducks' closer in 2009 and earned honorable mention All-Pac-12 Conference honors. As a redshirt junior, Gagnier finished his career with 11 saves, an Oregon program record at the time. Gagnier was selected in the 17th round of the 2010 MLB Draft by the Detroit Tigers and spent three seasons playing professional baseball.
Jakob Goldfarb (2015-19)
Goldfarb spent five seasons at Oregon finishing among the program's all-time leaders in hits, doubles, walks, hit-by-pitches and outfield assists. He played in 183 games in a Ducks' uniform, starting 152 while batting over .300 each of his last two seasons in Eugene. A three-time Pac-12 Conference All-Academic selection, Goldfarb earned honorable mention honors on the field from the Pac-12 in 2018. Selected in the 24th round of the 2019 MLB Draft by the Chicago White Sox, Goldfarb is still playing professionally.
Joey Housey (2009-12)
A member of the first four teams in the modern era of Oregon baseball, Housey put together a successful career on the playing field and in the classroom. A three-time All-Pac-12 academic choice, Housey was named to the first-team Pac-12 All-Academic team in 2012. Housey finished his career in Oregon's all-time top 10 in single-season appearances, single-season games finished, single-season lowest opponent batting average, career games finished and career lowest opponent batting average. Selected by the Cincinnati Reds in the 27th round of the 2012 MLB Draft, Housey spent three seasons playing professional baseball.
Jack Karraker (2014-16)
One of two Karraker brothers competing in the home run derby, Jack Karraker spent three seasons at Oregon cracking the starting rotation in 2015 before suffering a season-ending injury finishing the year with a 1.29 ERA in five starts. Karraker battled back from the injury to make 14 appearances during the 2016 season holding opposing hitters to a .217 batting average.
Mitch Karraker (2009-11)
The second Karraker brother competing today, Mitch Karraker spent 11 seasons with the program starting as a player in 2009 and ending his tenure as a volunteer coach in 2019. Currently the head coach at Fresno City College, Karraker played in 82 games during his three years with the Ducks and batted .300 for the 2010 NCAA Regional Tournament team.
Gabe Matthews (2017-21)
Matthews spent five seasons with the Ducks ending his career as the program's all-time leader in hits, RBI, runs scored, doubles, multiple-hit games and at-bats, while ranking in the top 10 in 14 career categories. Matthews earned Collegiate Baseball third-team All-America and first-team Pac-12 honors in 2021 while helping lead Oregon to the Regional Tournament. A double-threat at the plate and in the field, Matthews is one of three Ducks all-time to be named to the ABCA/Rawlings Gold Glove Team.
Andrew Mendenhall (2010-13)
Mendenhall spent four seasons in Eugene, playing in 122 games during his first three seasons. He was a member of two teams that advanced to the NCAA Regionals including the 2012 team that ended its season one win shy of the College World Series. While playing summer ball, Mendenhall earned second-team All-West Coast League honors and played in the 2011 West Coast League All-Star Game.
Ryne Nelson (2017-19)
A two-way player at Oregon, Nelson earned All-Pac-12 honors on the mound his last two seasons while also serving as Oregon's starting shortstop in 2018. As a junior named first-team All-Pac-12 Conference after leading the league with 104 strikeouts in just 65 innings pitched while finishing fourth in the nation with a 14.40 strikeouts per nine innings ratio. A second-round pick in the 2019 MLB Draft, Nelson made his Major League debut on September 5, 2022.
Steven Packard (2010, 2013-16)
A member of three of Oregon's NCAA Regional qualifying teams, Steven Packard batted a career-best .333 during his true freshman season in 2010. After spending time on a church mission, Packard returned to play four more seasons with the Ducks. Packard played in 184 games at Oregon while making 130 starts.
David Peterson (2015-17)
Oregon's first consensus All-American, David Peterson pitched for three seasons for the Ducks earning first-team All-America honors from the ABCA, Collegiate Baseball, D1Baseball, the NCBWA and Perfect Game following his junior season. Peterson finished his final season in Eugene with an 11-4 record and a 2.51 ERA while striking out a school record 140 hitters. A first-round selection and No. 20 overall pick in the 2017 MLB Draft by the New York Mets, Peterson has spent most of the last three seasons in the Major Leagues.
Jake Reed (2012-2014)
A member of three straight NCAA Regional Teams, Reed earned freshman All-America honors his first season and first-team All-Pac-12 Conference honors his final season as a Duck. His 18 career wins rank eighth all-time at Oregon, while his 13 saves are fifth all-time in program history. Selected in the fifth round of the 2014 MLB Draft by the Minnesota Twins, Reed has spent parts of the last three seasons in the Big Leagues playing for the Los Angeles Dodges, the New York Mets and the Baltimore Orioles.
Brayden Stutzman (2017-18)
After redshirting during the 2016 season, Stutzman earned a spot on the Pac-12 All-Academic First Team in both 2017 and 2018 before graduating in three years with a 4.02 ERA in Economics. Stutzman made two starts during his two seasons with 49 games played.
Kenyon Yovan (2017-21)
The first player in school history to earn All-America honors as both a pitcher and a hitter, Yovan spent five seasons playing for the Ducks. As a freshman, the Ducks closer claimed first-team All-America honors from the NCBWA after finishing with 15 saves. During the 2020 season, Collegiate Baseball tabbed Yovan as a first-team All-American as a DH. After being drafted twice, Yovan signed with the Los Angeles Angels as an infielder. At the end of the 2022 season, he returned to the mound in the Angels organization finishing with a 1.77 ERA and 39 strikeouts in 20.1 innings pitched.
The field consists of Ducks that played between 2009 and 2021 and includes both former pitchers and hitters. Three Major League Baseball hurlers highlight the field with David Peterson (New York Mets), Jake Reed (Los Angeles Dodgers/New York Mets/Baltimore Orioles) and Ryne Nelson (Arizona Diamondbacks) taking part in the derby. Gabe Matthews and Kenyon Yovan highlight the former sluggers competing for the crown. Yovan ranks fourth all-time in career home runs at Oregon with 24, while Matthews is fifth with 22.
The home run derby begins at 2 p.m. at PK Park. Ducks' fans are invited to attend and bring their own snacks and beverages as part of their football tailgating experience before the Oregon vs. Utah football game.
Robert Ahlstrom (2019-21)
Ahlstrom spent three seasons in a Ducks uniform earning first-team All-Pac-12 Conference as a starting pitcher in 2021. The Ducks' lefty also claimed ABCA/Rawlings second-team All-West Region honors after finishing the year with a 9-3 record and a 2.50 ERA while also earning Pac-12 All-Defensive Team honors. Ahlstrom was picked in the seventh round of the 2021 MLB Draft by the New York Yankees and then traded to the Texas Rangers. He ended the 2022 season with the High-A Hickory Crawdads.
Jake Bennett (2016-17)
Bennett spent two season at Oregon after transferring from Western Nevada College. Bennett started 95 games during his two seasons in Eugene, including all 55 as a senior. The Forest Grove native earned honorable mention All-Pac-12 honors as a junior after leading the Ducks in batting average and on-base percentage while starting the final 39 games of the season.
Hunter Breault (2018-2021)
Breault spent four seasons with the Ducks culminating in a trip to the NCAA Eugene Regional in 2021. The Hawaii native was a key component in the back end of Oregon's bullpen during the 2020 and 2021 seasons making 22 of his 50 career appearances. Breault was selected in the 20th round of the 2021 MLB Draft by the Oakland A's and spent this summer playing for the Single-A Stockton Ports.
Drew Gagnier (2009-10)
A member of the first two teams in the modern era of Oregon baseball, Gagnier served as the Ducks' closer in 2009 and earned honorable mention All-Pac-12 Conference honors. As a redshirt junior, Gagnier finished his career with 11 saves, an Oregon program record at the time. Gagnier was selected in the 17th round of the 2010 MLB Draft by the Detroit Tigers and spent three seasons playing professional baseball.
Jakob Goldfarb (2015-19)
Goldfarb spent five seasons at Oregon finishing among the program's all-time leaders in hits, doubles, walks, hit-by-pitches and outfield assists. He played in 183 games in a Ducks' uniform, starting 152 while batting over .300 each of his last two seasons in Eugene. A three-time Pac-12 Conference All-Academic selection, Goldfarb earned honorable mention honors on the field from the Pac-12 in 2018. Selected in the 24th round of the 2019 MLB Draft by the Chicago White Sox, Goldfarb is still playing professionally.
Joey Housey (2009-12)
A member of the first four teams in the modern era of Oregon baseball, Housey put together a successful career on the playing field and in the classroom. A three-time All-Pac-12 academic choice, Housey was named to the first-team Pac-12 All-Academic team in 2012. Housey finished his career in Oregon's all-time top 10 in single-season appearances, single-season games finished, single-season lowest opponent batting average, career games finished and career lowest opponent batting average. Selected by the Cincinnati Reds in the 27th round of the 2012 MLB Draft, Housey spent three seasons playing professional baseball.
Jack Karraker (2014-16)
One of two Karraker brothers competing in the home run derby, Jack Karraker spent three seasons at Oregon cracking the starting rotation in 2015 before suffering a season-ending injury finishing the year with a 1.29 ERA in five starts. Karraker battled back from the injury to make 14 appearances during the 2016 season holding opposing hitters to a .217 batting average.
Mitch Karraker (2009-11)
The second Karraker brother competing today, Mitch Karraker spent 11 seasons with the program starting as a player in 2009 and ending his tenure as a volunteer coach in 2019. Currently the head coach at Fresno City College, Karraker played in 82 games during his three years with the Ducks and batted .300 for the 2010 NCAA Regional Tournament team.
Gabe Matthews (2017-21)
Matthews spent five seasons with the Ducks ending his career as the program's all-time leader in hits, RBI, runs scored, doubles, multiple-hit games and at-bats, while ranking in the top 10 in 14 career categories. Matthews earned Collegiate Baseball third-team All-America and first-team Pac-12 honors in 2021 while helping lead Oregon to the Regional Tournament. A double-threat at the plate and in the field, Matthews is one of three Ducks all-time to be named to the ABCA/Rawlings Gold Glove Team.
Andrew Mendenhall (2010-13)
Mendenhall spent four seasons in Eugene, playing in 122 games during his first three seasons. He was a member of two teams that advanced to the NCAA Regionals including the 2012 team that ended its season one win shy of the College World Series. While playing summer ball, Mendenhall earned second-team All-West Coast League honors and played in the 2011 West Coast League All-Star Game.
Ryne Nelson (2017-19)
A two-way player at Oregon, Nelson earned All-Pac-12 honors on the mound his last two seasons while also serving as Oregon's starting shortstop in 2018. As a junior named first-team All-Pac-12 Conference after leading the league with 104 strikeouts in just 65 innings pitched while finishing fourth in the nation with a 14.40 strikeouts per nine innings ratio. A second-round pick in the 2019 MLB Draft, Nelson made his Major League debut on September 5, 2022.
Steven Packard (2010, 2013-16)
A member of three of Oregon's NCAA Regional qualifying teams, Steven Packard batted a career-best .333 during his true freshman season in 2010. After spending time on a church mission, Packard returned to play four more seasons with the Ducks. Packard played in 184 games at Oregon while making 130 starts.
David Peterson (2015-17)
Oregon's first consensus All-American, David Peterson pitched for three seasons for the Ducks earning first-team All-America honors from the ABCA, Collegiate Baseball, D1Baseball, the NCBWA and Perfect Game following his junior season. Peterson finished his final season in Eugene with an 11-4 record and a 2.51 ERA while striking out a school record 140 hitters. A first-round selection and No. 20 overall pick in the 2017 MLB Draft by the New York Mets, Peterson has spent most of the last three seasons in the Major Leagues.
Jake Reed (2012-2014)
A member of three straight NCAA Regional Teams, Reed earned freshman All-America honors his first season and first-team All-Pac-12 Conference honors his final season as a Duck. His 18 career wins rank eighth all-time at Oregon, while his 13 saves are fifth all-time in program history. Selected in the fifth round of the 2014 MLB Draft by the Minnesota Twins, Reed has spent parts of the last three seasons in the Big Leagues playing for the Los Angeles Dodges, the New York Mets and the Baltimore Orioles.
Brayden Stutzman (2017-18)
After redshirting during the 2016 season, Stutzman earned a spot on the Pac-12 All-Academic First Team in both 2017 and 2018 before graduating in three years with a 4.02 ERA in Economics. Stutzman made two starts during his two seasons with 49 games played.
Kenyon Yovan (2017-21)
The first player in school history to earn All-America honors as both a pitcher and a hitter, Yovan spent five seasons playing for the Ducks. As a freshman, the Ducks closer claimed first-team All-America honors from the NCBWA after finishing with 15 saves. During the 2020 season, Collegiate Baseball tabbed Yovan as a first-team All-American as a DH. After being drafted twice, Yovan signed with the Los Angeles Angels as an infielder. At the end of the 2022 season, he returned to the mound in the Angels organization finishing with a 1.77 ERA and 39 strikeouts in 20.1 innings pitched.
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