Ducks Play at Saint Mary’s Ahead of Conference Opener

THIS WEEK
Oregon will head back out on the road for a nonconference matchup with Saint Mary's Wednesday before opening Pac-12 play at California Friday through Sunday. The Ducks have dominated the all-time series with the Gaels, owning a 21-4 advantage overall with an 11-1 record in games played in Moraga. Oregon trails Cal 79-56 in that series, but has won 17 of the last 19 meetings dating back to 2013.

HOW TO FOLLOW
Wednesday, March 10 at Saint Mary's – 2 p.m. ; Live Stats
Friday, March 13 at California – 3 p.m.; Watch | Live Stats
Saturday, March 14 at California – 12 p.m.; Watch | Live Stats
Saturday, March 15 at California – 12 p.m.; Watch | Live Stats

STARTING STRONG
Oregon's 21-2 start to the season is tied for the second best in school history through 19 games. The Ducks won 16 straight games to begin the year, which is the second-longest winning streak to start a season in school history behind only the 2017 team's NCAA-record tying 35-0 start. Only the 2017 team got off to a better start to a season through the first 19 games, while the 2014 and 2007 teams both started 21-2.

EXCELLING ACROSS THE BOARD
Heading into the sixth weekend of the season, Oregon is the only team to rank in the top 15 in the country in batting average, ERA and fielding percentage. The Ducks are also in the top four of the conference in each of those categories, leading the conference with a .986 fielding percentage, third with a .350 batting average and fourth with a 1.70 ERA. Additionally, Oregon is one of only three teams in the nation (UCLA, LSU) to rank in the top 15 nationally in batting average (8th) and ERA (11th).

GOING TO WORK EARLY
Through 23 games, Oregon has made a habit of getting off to fast starts, outscoring opponents 72-3 over the first two innings of games. The Ducks have outscored opponents 29-1 in the first inning and 43-2 in the second inning and have led after two innings in 18 of the first 23 games. Additionally, Oregon holds a 16-0 scoring advantage in the sixth inning and a 40-6 advantage in the fourth inning.

SO MANY OPTIONS
Through 23 games, Oregon head coach Melyssa Lombardi has mixed and matched her lineup both in positions on the field and in the lineup. The Ducks have used 21 different combinations in its batting order, going with a different batting lineup each of the last 18 games. Oregon has also taken the field with 18 different starting combinations, using a different one in the last 12 games heading into this weekend. Only Haley Cruse has been in the same spot in the order in all 23 games (leadoff) while just third baseman Rachel Cid has started all 23 games at the same position.

1-2 PUNCH
One of only five teams nationally with multiple players hitting over .450, Oregon boasts a number of players with high batting averages. Haley Cruse and Allee Bunker are third and fourth in the Pac-12, respectively, in batting average and are one of only three Power 5 duos and the only pair in the Pac-12 to be batting above the .450 mark for the season. The Ducks also have three others hitting above .350 while seven total Oregon players with at least 30 at-bats are hitting at least .300.

MAKING RUNS COME AT A PREMIUM
Through 23 games, Oregon pitching has given up just 1.74 runs per game and 40 runs total, posting a miniscule 1.70 ERA in 148.1 innings pitched. The Ducks have posted seven shutouts and lead the conference allowing having allowed only 101 hits all season, while holding opponents to a .193 batting average. Oregon's seven shutouts through 12 games are already two more than it had all of last season. Additionally, two Oregon pitchers rank in the top 10 in the conference in ERA, with Samaria Diaz in third at 1.02 and Brooke Yanez in eighth with a 1.73 ERA.

FUNDAMENTALLY SOUND
Coming into the weekend with just eight errors on the year, Oregon ranks second nationally in fielding percentage at .987. The Ducks are the only team in the country to have played at least 20 games and commit 10 or fewer errors, having twice gone an entire weekend without committing an error. Rachel Cid leads the way with no errors in 35 chances, while middle infielders Allee Bunker and Jasmine Sievers both only have two errors in 40-plus chances.