It's Been A Happy Homecoming As Ducks Anticipate Home Opener

The streets of Eugene have been a little tougher than usual to navigate the last few days, in the wake of an unusual late-winter snow storm.

While that may have caused some frustration for a few locals, members of the Oregon softball team have been happy to put up with it.

After four hectic weeks of traveling to preseason tournaments, the Ducks have been able enjoy some home cooking this week. The UO softball team opens its home schedule Friday in the first matchup of a three-game series against Oklahoma State, in Jane Sanders Stadium at 6 p.m.

The Ducks are off to an 11-7 start and ranked No. 24 under first-year coach Melyssa Lombardi, defying expectations in the wake of their roster turnover this past offseason. The solid start owes in no small part to a group of newcomers including transfer Jordan Dail in the circle and a lineup featuring five true freshmen, all of whom will make their Jane Sanders Stadium debuts Friday.

"I'm so excited to be able to actually play in front of all the fans," said freshman shortstop Jasmine Sievers, the Ducks' leading hitter with a .359 average. "Everyone says we have one of the best atmospheres here at the Jane. So getting to hear the crowd and actually play there, I'm really excited."

Oregon's veterans are happy to be home too, and not just for the chance to be cheered on by a couple thousand rabid fans this weekend. The Ducks have played four tournaments in four weeks over the past month, providing invaluable experience against elite teams but denying them much time for practice.

This week, after returning from the Judi Garman Classic in Fullerton, Calif, the UO softball team was able to hold practices Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. That was as many total practices, three, as the team was able to hold over the previous three weeks combined due to its travel schedule.

"It's been really nice to just focus on what we need to do as a team, and the adjustments we need to make," junior outfielder Haley Cruse said. "Rather than just adjusting from game to game to which team we're playing. It's going to be nice to have a three-game series against one team and to really get some info on one team to focus on, and not having to go back and forth, back and forth."

The Ducks went 0-3 in Fullerton, then had their final two games of the weekend cancelled due to weather. Coming off those results, Lombardi was particularly happy for the Ducks to get a chance this week to spend a few days at home, take a deep breath and get back to some fundamentals in practice.

"All we've really been able to do it prepare, prepare, prepare, versus really sit down and get some quality practices in," Lombardi said. " … I feel really good about this group. I think we just needed to get home and just get a couple days, more than anything."

The brief respite also gave the chance for Oregon's players to surprise Lombardi on Tuesday with a ceremonial ball from her first win with the Ducks, in their season opener back on Feb. 8. The Ducks had the ball presented under glass with a small plaque noting the details of Lombardi's first win, and surprised her with it during a practice.

"With the adversity and everything we've dealt with, you can see how we've really come together and bonded," Lombardi said. "All of us really have a special relationship and want the best for each other."

The special feelings this week will continue Friday when the newcomers make their Jane Sanders Stadium debut. The sophomore left-hander Dail enters the weekend tied atop the Pac-12 in wins with nine, and third in strikeouts with 88. Sievers is Oregon's leading hitter, fellow freshman Rachel Cid is tied for the team lead with 14 RBIs, and they're two of the four freshmen making up a UO infield that has helped the Ducks start out with a .977 fielding percentage, best in the conference.

"The learning curve for the younger athletes has been pretty fast and furious," Lombardi said. "And I think they've handled it pretty well."

Friday brings a chance to soak in a once-in-a-lifetime moment, as the newcomers play for the first time for the fans at the Jane.

"It's a crazy environment," Cruse said. "I don't think you really understand it until you're playing under the lights in front of your fans. It's going to be super loud, so they're going to need to be loud on the field. I know everyone's really excited."