Eight Ducks Earn All-B1G Honors Including a Pair of First Teamers

Omaha, Neb. – Heading into the Big Ten Tournament, eight Oregon players have garnered all-league recognition including two first-team selections. The eight all-league picks ranks second among Big Ten teams, trailing only UCLA's 11.

Third baseman Drew Smith and relief pitcher Tanner Bradley both claimed first team honors, with Smith also representing the Ducks on the all-defensive team. Three Ducks were named second-team all-conference while one claimed third-team honors. Starting pitcher Will Sanford, closer Devin Bell and second baseman Ryan Cooney were the second-team picks while designated hitter Naulivou Lauaki Jr. was named third team.

Lauaki was one of three Ducks freshmen to earn spots on the Big Ten All-Freshman Team. The redshirt freshman was joined by true freshmen Angel Laya and Brayden Jaksa. Junior center-fielder Jack Brooks was honored with the Ducks' sportsmanship award, with one member of each team having a representative.

In his fourth season at Oregon, Smith has put together a strong season while ranking in the top 25 in the Big Ten in batting average, slugging percentage, OPS, RBI and home runs. Smith heads into the Big Ten Tournament slashing .327/.409/.593 with 14 home runs, 53 RBI, 42 runs scored, and five stolen bases with seven doubles and two triples. Excelling in big moments, Smith has been named to the all-tournament team in Oregon's last two postseason appearances. He earned a spot on the Santa Barbara all-tournament team in 2024 at second base, before being named to the 2025 Eugene Regional all-tournament team as an outfielder. As a true freshman, he earned ABCA/Rawlings second-team All-West Region honors after reaching base in all 26 games with a plate appearance and setting Oregon's modern-era program record with a 20-game hitting streak.

Bradley put together one of the best regular seasons in the country by a relief pitcher. Heading into the Big Ten Tournament, the sophomore is 5-1 with a 1.83 ERA in 26 appearances with an 0.86 WHIP. He fanned 69 hitters in just 44.1 innings of work while allowing 11 runs (9 earned) on 21 hits with just 17 walks. Bradley, who held opposing hitters to a .154 batting average, led the Ducks in appearances, ERA and batting average against while leading all relievers in innings pitched. In his 26 appearances, Bradley allowed earned runs in just six games with four of those allowing just a single run.

Cooney, who earned first-team honors in 2025, is the only Duck to earn All-Big Ten Conference honors in consecutive seasons. During the regular season, he slashed .340/.423/.544 with a .967 OPS. The Ducks' second baseman led Oregon in batting average, hits (73), runs scored (46), doubles (18), extra-base hits (27 – 8 HR, 1 3B) and on-base percentage while finishing second in stolen bases (13).

Sanford finished the regular season 7-2 with a 4.08 ERA in 14 starts. He allowed 34 runs (31 earned) on 48 hits in 68.1 innings pitched while striking out a 96 with 36 walks. Sanford held opposing hitters to a .190 batting average while finishing with a 1.23 WHIP. His 96 strikeouts and .190 batting average against both ranked third in the Big Ten while his seven wins tied for fifth. His 74 Ks in Big Ten game tied for the second most.

Bell spent the season as Oregon's closer after transferring from Western Oregon. He finished the regular season 2-5 with a 3.90 ERA with 11 saves in 24 appearances. He allowed 14 runs on 26 hits with 35 strikeouts in 32.1 innings of work. He held opposing hitters to a .220 batting average. Heading into the Big Ten Tournament, he ranked third in the conference in saves and while tying for eighth in the country.

Lauaki, Jaksa and Laya have been key contributors to the Ducks' success this season. Laya made the biggest contribution early, being named the Big Ten Freshman of the Week twice (Week 1, Week 4) as well as the Perfect Game National Freshman of the Week once (Week 1). In the Nebraska series-clinching win, Laya belted two home runs to set Oregon's freshman record for home runs in a season (11 / he added No. 12 vs. Gonzaga and No. 13 at Washington). After splitting time at catcher with Burke-Lee Mabeus to begin the season, Jaksa became a full-time starter over the last 21 games playing mostly first base while Lauaki has started at designated hitter during that time.

During those 21 games, the three freshmen have combined to hit 19 home runs with Lauaki leading the way with 20 homers while both Jaksa has added five and Laya has hit four. Over the last 21 games, Lauaki is slashing .325/.374/.747, while Jaksa is at .341/.423/.538.

For the season Laya has a .296/.398/.556 slash line with a .954 OPS. He heads into the Big Ten Tournament with 22 extra-base hits (13 HR, 1 3B, 8 2B) with 41 RBI and 44 runs scored. He is second on the team in homers, RBI and runs scored, while ranking third in hits (56).