Hall of Fame
1954, Baseball Team
Baseball Team 1954
- Induction:
- 2008
Don Kirsch’s club had been building for this moment for years before winning the first of three straight Northern Division championships in 1953. A veteran corps of returnees, led by All-America center fielder George Shaw, helped push Oregon to the next level through a relentless perseverance and timely hitting, with Shaw, Norm Forbes and Neal Marlett each batting over .300. But if not for a five-hit shutout from Trent Huls over rival Oregon State (4-0) in the final game of the regular season, the Ducks never would have earned their post-season opportunity. The Pacific Coast Conference champions captured their lone District 8 title with wins over Seattle (9-4) and Fresno State (9-5 and 1-0) in Eugene to earn their first trip to the College World Series. Pete Williams blasted a solo home run and Forbes pitched a four-hit shutout against the Bulldogs in a five-inning rain-abbreviated affair to fuel the Ducks’ trip to Omaha, Neb. John Keller, Forbes, Marlett, Shaw and Williams each were named to the all-Northern Division squad, with Forbes winning the division batting title (.476) as well as leading the Northern Division pitchers in wins (6-1).
Duck Insider 9-24-25
Wednesday, September 24
Iapani Laloulu: "Cool, calm and collected."
Wednesday, September 24
Matayo Uiagalelei: "Talk the talk, walk the walk."
Wednesday, September 24
Dan Lanning: "Pressure is a privilege."
Wednesday, September 24
