Ducks Open Pac-10 Play At No. 5 Arizona State
03/31/11 | Baseball
ARIZONA STATE SERIES INFORMATION
Overall:
2-8
Last Series:
#1 Arizona State 2, Oregon 1 (April 1-3, 2010)
Last Meeting:
#1 Arizona State 7, Oregon (April 3, 2010 • PK Park
•
Eugene, Ore.)
GAME 24 • Friday, April 1
Packard Stadium
First Pitch
: 6:30 p.m.
Oregon Starter:
LHP Tyler Anderson (4-0, 1.02)
Arizona State Starter:
RHP Brady Rodgers (3-1, 2.33)
TV:
None
Radio Eugene:
KSCR 1320 AM
Radio Portland:
KUIK 1360 AM
Internet Audio: O-Zone
at www.GoDucks.com
Internet Video:
www.thesundevils.com
Social Media:
Twitter:@OregonBaseball
Live Stats: www.GoDucks.com
GAME 25 • Saturday, April 2
Packard Stadium
First Pitch:
6:30 p.m.
Oregon Starter:
RHP Madison Boer (2-0, 1.91)
Arizona St. Starter:
RHP Kramer Champlin (3-1. 3.03)
TV:
None
Radio Eugene:
KSCR 1320 AM
Radio Portland:
KUIK 1360 AM
Internet Audio: O-Zone
at www.GoDucks.com
Internet Video:
www.thesundevils.com
Social Media:
Twitter:@OregonBaseball
Live Stats: www.GoDucks.com
GAME 26 • Sunday, April 3
Packard Stadium
First Pitch:
12:00 p.m.
Oregon Starter:
RHP Alex Keudell (3-2, 2.54)
Arizona State:
Starter RHP Jake Barrett (2-2, 5.35)
TV:
None
Radio Eugene:
KSCR 1320 AM
Radio Portland:
KXTG 95.5 FM The Game
Internet Audio: O-Zone
at www.GoDucks.com
Internet Video:
www.thesundevils.com
Social Media:
Twitter:@OregonBaseball
Live Stats: www.GoDucks.com
THIS WEEK
Oregon begins Pac-10 play on Friday visiting fifth-ranked Arizona State at Packard Stadium for a three-game series. The Ducks have won eight of their last 11 games, which included an eight-game winning streak - the longest for UO since 1969.
RADIO BROADCASTS/MEDIA
Brian Prawitz will call all three games of the weekend series for the Oregon Sports Network. In the Eugene/Springfield area, fans can listen to the games on KSCR 1320 AM. A live audio simulcast over the internet is also available via the O-Zone
on www.GoDucks.com
.
Television
There will be no televised games this weekend.
ONLINE
A live video stream of all three games against Arizona State at Packard Stadium this weekend will be available at www.thesundevils.com
.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Oregon fans can follow live in-game updates on twitter @OregonBaseball
.
O-ZONE: ONLINE VIDEO & AUDIO
Baseball fans can now watch Oregon baseball home games live on the O-Zone
at www.GoDucks.com
. All home games will offer live video and audio.
TICKETS
A reminder that mini-plans and single-game tickets for the 2011 season remain on sale. Duck fans can purchase tickets online by clicking HERE
, over the phone by calling 1-800-WEB-FOOT, or in person at the Casanova Center Ticket Office.
RETURN TO EUGENE VS. WASHINGTON
Oregon will host Northwest rival Washington in its first Pac-10 home series of 2011 as UO returns to PK Park Friday, April 8.
Friday, April 8 • George Horton Mustache Night
Fans are encouraged to put or draw on their best 'stache for George Horton Mustache Night at PK Park. Prizes will be handed out for the best 'staches in the ballpark.
Saturday, April 9 • Vegas Night
It will be Vegas Night at PK Park and Lucky Sevens will be available as fans can purchase $7 reserved tickets. A Vegas Vacation package courtesy of Allegiant Air and the Venetian will also be given away.
Sunday, April 10 • Art in the Ballpark
Local artists will have displays, interactive booths and games for kids. The fist 200 fans through the gates will also receive a free Sunday Sundae courtesy of Umpqua Dairy.
ABOUT ARIZONA STATE
Friday-Sunday
Oregon opens up Pac-10 play for the second consecutive season on the road in Arizona. The Ducks will visit Packard Stadium this week, playing a three-game series with fifth-ranked Arizona State.
The match-up will feature one the better pitching staffs in the country against one of the better offensive teams in the nation. ASU is hitting .322 in 2011 to rank second in the Pac-10 and 16th in the country.
The Ducks' 2.86 ERA ranks fourth in the league and 29th in the country, while UO leads the conference and ranks fourth in the country with 234 strikeouts.
PAC-10 OPENERS
Since the Oregon baseball program was reinstated for the 2009 season, the Ducks have gone 1-2 in two straight Pac-10 season openers.
Oregon will also open Pac-10 play on the road for the second straight season after going 1-2 in Tucson a year ago.
The last time the Ducks played at Arizona State, Oregon was swept in three games (May 15-17, 2009). Last season, the then No. 1 Sun Devils won the series, 2-1, at PK Park (April 1-3, 2011).
APRIL SHOWERS
In 2010, Oregon went 10-6 in the month of April.
SCHEDULE NOTES
The Ducks have 60 games on the schedule, with 30 of those contests to be played at PK Park.
UO's schedule is daunting with nine series against programs that advanced to the postseason in 2010, including three teams that claimed their respective conference titles.
WICHITA STATE SERIES RECAP
Oregon and Wichita State split their weekend series, 2-2, last weekend as the first three games of the set were decided by just one run.
Freshman Kyle Garlick led the Ducks batting .278 in the series, while J.J. Altobelli drove in a team-leading six runs.
Kellen Moen made two appearances in relief, tossing a total of five shutout innings and earning his staff and Pac-10 leading fourth save of the year.
THE STREAK
Oregon's eight-game win streak which included series sweeps over BYU and San Diego, was the longest win streak for the program since the Ducks won 10 consecutive games from March 28-April 11, 1969.
During UO's eight-game win streak, which was snapped in last Friday night's 6-5 loss to Wichita State, Danny Pulfer led the Ducks hitting .400, while Aaron Jones (.310) and Jack Marder (.305) combined to drive in 17 runs.
Part-time starters Ryon Healy (.353, 4 RBI, 6 R) and Shawn Peterson (.467, 2 RBI, 3 R, 3 2B) also contributed at the plate.
On the mound, Tyler Anderson was an undefeated 3-0, allowing two earned runs to cross the plate in 23 innings of work while fanning 30. Senior right-hander Kellen Moen made three relief appearances tossing a total of four and 1/3 shutout innings, picking up a win and two saves.
HEALTH UPDATE
Freshman Stefan Sabol suffered a broken left hand in the Saint Mary's series, and is questionable to return for this weekend's series. The freshman was batting .556 (5-for-9) with two runs scored, one double, and one triple while recording a .889 slugging percentage and .667 on-base percentage.
Senior outfielder Marcus Piazzisi broke his right hand during the BYU series and is out 2-3 weeks.
NOTES ON PITCHERS
Tyler Anderson
Preseason All-American Tyler Anderson (4-0) has recorded a victory in his last four starts.
The Las Vegas native sports a 1.02 ERA which ranks third in the Pac-10 and 24th in the country. Anderson's staff-leading 59 strikeouts ranked third in the conference and fourth in the nation.
On the season, Anderson has produced quality starts in each of his six appearances on the mound. Oregon's Friday-night starter has allowed just five earned runs to cross the plate in 44 and 1/3 innings of action, and is holding opposing batters to a .181 clip.
In his three years at Oregon, Anderson now holds the UO all-time record with 230 strikeouts in 229 innings on the mound.
In his last four starts, Anderson is 4-0 with a 0.58 ERA allowing two earned runs in 31 innings, and holding opposing batters to a .186 average.
Madison Boer
Junior Madison Boer (2-0) had an uncharacteristic start last Friday, allowing four runs on four hits and six walks in four and 2/3 innings on the hill as Oregon fell 6-5.
Boer had recorded five consecutive quality starts until last Friday's outing. On the season. Boer sports a 1.91 ERA and has 29 strikeouts while holding opposing batters to a .184 clip.
Porter Clayton
At just 17-years-old, freshman Porter Clayton graduated from Bonneville High School in December, and joined the Ducks in time for the 2011 season. Oregon's go-to lefty out of the bullpen, Clayton earned his first save on March 11, UO's 4-2 series-clinching victory over BYU as the Idaho Falls native recorded the game's final out. Clayton has a 2.45 ERA in 11 appearances on the hill.
Ryon Healy
In his first start and just the second appearance of his career on the mound, Ryon Healy impressed for the Ducks.
Last Sunday as Oregon prevailed with a 6-1 victory over Wichita State, Healy dealt 5 and 2/3 innings, allowing just one run while striking out five.
Joey Housey
In the March 8, 4-1 loss at Oregon State, right-hander Joey Housey completely shut down the OSU bats over the final three and 2/3 innings, surrendering no hits or walks while striking out seven - including fanning six in a row.
Housey is now 2-0 on the year, earning both wins in relief appearances. The Hollywood, Fla., native has a 4.38 ERA in eight appearances in 17 strikeouts.
Christian Jones
Similar to Madison Boer, Christian Jones had a rough outing on the mound last Saturday in a 7-6 loss to Wichita State. The left-hander allowed four earned runs in 4 and 1/3 innings of action.
On the season, Jones is 2-1 on the hill with a 4.67 ERA. The southpaw's 44 strikeouts rank seventh in the Pac-10 and 31st in the country.
Alex Keudell
Junior right-hander Alex Keudell (3-2) went the distance tossing the second complete game of his career (first 9-inning) in the Ducks' 6-1 victory over San Francisco last Wednesday.
Keudell pulled double duty last week, earning his third win of the year by tossing 3 and 1/3 innings of shutout baseball in relief of Ryon Healy as the Ducks defeated Wichita State, 6-1, on Sunday. Keudell retired the final 10 batters of the game.
The Portland native sports a 2.54 ERA and has struck out 30 in 28 and 1/3 innings of action.
Scott McGough
Scott McGough (0-3) had arguably his best performance of the season last Saturday when he tossed five innings of relief in Oregon's 17-inning nail-biter against Wichita State. McGough was charged with the loss after giving up a run in the top of the 17th, but his five innings and six strikeouts were both season bests.
Kellen Moen
Senior right-hander Kellen Moen leads the bullpen with four saves in 2011. The Juneau, Alaska native earned his fourth after tossing two innings of shutout baseball in relief of Tyler Anderson as the Ducks nursed a 2-1 lead on Friday.
Last week, Moen also appeared in relief in Saturday's 17-inning nail-biter. The senior tossed a total of five shutout innings last week.
On the season, Moen's four saves tie for tops in the Pac-10 as he holds a 1.10 ERA in 16 and 1/3 innings of action, striking out 17 and holding opposing batters to a .111 clip.
THE STARTING STAFF
Oregon's four starters, Tyler Anderson, Madison Boer, Christian Jones and Alex Keudell have a combined ERA of 2.41 allowing 40 earned runs in 149 and 2/3 innings pitched.
The quartet has recorded 162 strikeouts and has been a part of four combined shutouts. The starters also have 15 quality starts this season.
RANKING THE PAC-10
Oregon's pitching staff leads the Pac-10 with 234 strikeouts, while the Ducks 9.8 strikeouts per nine innings ranks fourth in the nation.
The Ducks' 2.86 ERA ranks fourth in the Pac-10 and 29th in the country, while UO's staff holds batters to a .225 clip (3rd Pac-10).
In addition, Oregon's defense has turned a Pac-10 leading 23 double plays this season.
THRILLERS
In Oregon's 23 games this season, nine have been decided by one run. The Ducks hold a 3-6 record in those contests. Oregon is also 1-2 in extra-inning contests this season.
SHUTOUTS
Of Oregon's eight victories this season, the Ducks have recorded shutouts on four occasions. Oregon earned a shutout victory in its first four weekend series this year in games against Hawai'i, Saint Mary's, Long Beach State and BYU.
NOTES ON POSITION PLAYERS
J.J. Altobelli
Oregon starting third baseman J.J. Altobelli is batting .213 on the season and is third on the roster with 12 RBIs. Last week, Altobelli led the Ducks driving in seven runs.
Kyle Garlick
Freshman outfielder Kyle Garlick was forced to miss the first 15 games of the season with a broken hand, but returned to the lineup on March 19 at San Diego. In the second at-bat of his collegiate career, the Chino Hills, Calif., native drove a three-run homer over the left field wall, helping Oregon to a 6-3 victory.
Garlick has started Oregon's last eight games and is batting .273 with nine runs driven in and four runs scored.
Ryon Healy
Named the top prospect by Baseball America out of the California Collegiate League in the summer of 2010, Healy continues to bring offense to Oregon's lineup.
The West Hills, Calif., native is batting .258 on the season, with four RBIs, three doubles and seven runs scored.
Aaron Jones
The rookie right fielder leads Oregon's offense batting .311 on the year with a team-leading 16 RBIs. The San Clemente, Calif., native was the first freshman to garner Pac-10 Player of the Week honors in 2011, when he was announced as the recipient on March 21.
Jones leads the Ducks with a .444 slugging percentage, a .410 on-base percentage, 28 hits and seven extra-base hits. Jones also leads the club with nine multiple-hit games and five mutliple-RBI games.
Tyler Kuresa
Tyler Kuresa, Oregon's starting first baseman, is batting .210 on the season with six runs scored and six runs driven in.
Jack Marder
During Oregon's eight-game winning streak, Jack Marder batted .308 with a team-leading nine runs driven in, three doubles, six runs scored and two stolen bases. The native of Calabasas, Calif., hit two home runs last week and drove in five runs.
The sophomore converted to catcher this season, but has also made starts in the outfield.
Shawn Peterson
Batting .265 on the season, during Oregon's eight-game winning streak, Shawn Peterson batted .467 (7-for-15) from the plate.
Last week as Oregon went 3-2, Peterson led the club batting .308 from the plate with a .500 on-base percentage.
Danny Pulfer
Oregon's starting second baseman batted .292 last week, and is now hitting .288 on the season. Currently on an eight-game hitting streak, Pulfer hit .400 during UO's eight-game winning streak with three extra-base knocks including his first home run of the season.
KC Serna
Junior shortstop KC Serna has had a difficult time getting on track after missing the first seven games of the season. Serna is currently batting .194 on the season, but was responsible for a bases-loaded two-run single that plated the first runs of the game in UO's 6-1 victory over Wichita State on Sunday. Serna hit .211 last week, but was walked a team-leading nine times for a .464 on-base percentage.
Brett Thomas
Brett Thomas appeared in three games last week, and made his second start of the year in Friday's 2-1 victory over the Shockers. Thomas scored the game-tying run in the bottom of the fourth as a two-base throwing error scored the San Diego native all the way from first.
PRESEASON ALL-AMERICAN
Oregon junior left-hander Tyler Anderson was named to Baseball America's Preseason All-America third team on Feb. 4.
The southpaw was named to four collegiate baseball publications' preseason All-America teams heading into the 2011 season, including the 2011 Louisville Slugger Pre-Season All-American team, the NCBWA Preseason All-America second team and the College Baseball Lineup Preseason All-American second team.
Anderson returned to the mound this spring after a very successful sophomore campaign in which he became the first Oregon player since 1971 to be named to the Pac-10 All-Conference team.
The native of Las Vegas finished the 2010 season with a 7-5 record on the mound and a staff-leading 2.98 ERA (5th Pac-10), while leading the Ducks with 102 and 2/3 innings on the mound. Anderson also recorded a staff-best and new Oregon single-season record 105 strikeouts (6th Pac-10).
Anderson's triumphs on the mound also earned him a spot on the 2010 Collegiate National Team, which took home the silver medal at the FISU World Championships. The CNT finished its summer with a record of 16-3, while Anderson was 1-0 on the mound with a 0.00 ERA in three starts. He pitched in two combined shutouts, and in 16 total innings, allowing just six hits and three walks while striking out 14.
Anderson was also rated by Baseball America as the No. 8 prospect from the 2010 Collegiate National Team.
WATCH LIST
Oregon junior right-hander Scott McGough was named to the seventh-annual National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Stopper of the Year Watch List on Feb. 1.
McGough is one of 45 collegiate baseball players named to the initial watch list for the Stopper of the Year Award, given out to the top relief pitcher in NCAA Division I baseball.
A native of Pittsburgh, Pa., McGough emerged as a go-to reliever for Oregon out of the bullpen in both the set-up and closer roles in 2010. He was named Pac-10 honorable mention, and finished the season with a 2.45 ERA, 5-2 record and four saves in a staff-high 25 appearances, while totaling 58 and 2/3 innings on the mound and 56 strikeouts.
TOP-25 RECRUITING
The 2010 Oregon recruiting class was ranked fifth in the nation by Baseball America's annual evaluation of NCAA Division I classes, it was announced by the publication on Oct. 15.
The ranking marked the third consecutive season a UO baseball recruiting class has earned a top-25 ranking from Baseball America. In September, Oregon's freshman class received a No. 3 ranking from Collegiate Baseball.
TEAM USA
Junior pitchers Tyler Anderson and Scott McGough spent their summer playing for the Collegiate National Team, and Baseball America had both slingers ranked in its “Team USA Top 20 Prospects” evaluation.
The duo helped Team USA win the silver medal at the FISU World University Baseball Championships in Tokyo, Japan after traveling to Cary, N.C., Omaha, Neb., and Taipei, Taiwan.
Anderson, a Pac-10 First Team selection in 2010, was rated as the No. 8 prospect on the 2010 CNT by Baseball America after finishing his summer with a record of 1-0 on the mound and a 0.00 ERA in three starts. McGough, a right-hander and Pac-10 honorable mention selection in 2010, was rated by Baseball America at No. 16. The Pittsburgh, Pa., native was 1-1 on the mound with a 0.82 ERA in five relief appearances and a total of 11 innings of work.
