Air Time with Joe Giansante: The Headlines Keep Coming
The headlines keep coming in from the national media: "Ducks Topple #1 UCLA", "George Horton magic show continues at Oregon", "Ducks crack top 25 for the first time ever".
Unbelievable, really.
When we started this program, our internal hope was that our new baseball team might make it to the NCAA tournament within 5 years. That may still be the case, but after another amazing road series win in the Pac-10 over #1 UCLA, it seems anything is possible.
I've been around baseball a long time. With so many games to play, anything can happen. Teams ebb and flow, they get into grooves and fall out of them. Even the World Series Champ will have a 5 or 7 game losing streak this year. That being said, it's extremely hard not to get excited about this team and what may lie ahead. After the series win against the Bruins, the Ducks are 3-3 against teams ranked #1 in the country this season. Another telling stat that shows it wasn't a fluke: In the last three series against #1 ASU, then #22 Stanford and #1 UCLA, Oregon has outscored its opponent 38-36 combined. That's enough baseball to give you a good idea about what kind of team Oregon has this year. Any other team in the country would be hard pressed to achieve a similar result.
It starts with George Horton, of course. He has clearly put himself in the running for National Coach of the Year. The job executed by Andrew Checkets with the pitching staff is beyond belief as well - Oregon is third nationally in ERA. Mike Kirby and Jay Uhlman have been incredible with the rest of the operation. Superstars are in the making as well - from Tyler Anderson on the mound, Jack Marder, Danny Pulfer, Curtis, KC... all the guys really have been spectacular this year.
USC comes to town this weekend and tickets are still available, but going fast. Tickets also remain for the game vs. Oregon State on April 27th - a huge game in the playoff chase - so call 1-800-WEB-FOOT today, or buy and print your tickets online at goducks.com. Remember, Friday is Elvis Day at the park and the first pitch is at 7pm. Saturday's game is at 5pm, and Sunday's event at noon celebrates youth baseball day, where little ones can get in free by wearing their youth baseball jerseys. It is also important to remind you about the RBC Wealth Management Civil War Classic in Portland against the Beavers on May 26th. Tickets are available at ticketmaster.com. This game has the potential to be a critical contest in the chase for an NCAA spot, so we need as many Ducks as possible to buy tickets and support the Ducks at PGE park!
The weather forecast is improving and the long range maps look good for some really good weather this weekend. As always, we all look forward to seeing you at the ballpark... dressed as Elvis ... or not!
