BASEBALL AMERICA: Off The Bat: ACC Depth Stands Out, Pac-12 Teams Make Big Moves (article)
Pac-12 Teams On The Rise
Just two Pac-12 teams were ranked in the Preseason Top 25, a reflection of how muddled the conference was as much as anything. UCLA came into the season as the clear favorite and ranked No. 2 in the Top 25, with Arizona checking in at No. 15. Arizona State has been on the bubble of the Top 25 all season.
Beyond that trio, it was difficult to separate the teams. Oregon State and Stanford had talented rosters, but after disappointing 2020s, how would they bounce back? Washington had a strong group of newcomers, but how would they meld with the returners? Oregon, Southern California and Washington State all last spring showed reasons for optimism under new coaches, but would that momentum carry into 2021?
Three weeks into the season, we’re starting to get some more definitive answers. This weekend was an especially strong one for the league’s contenders. UCLA (8-3) swept through the Los Angeles Classic, beating Pepperdine, Cal State Fullerton and USC. Arizona (10-2) swept the Frisco Classic, beating Oklahoma twice, Dallas Baptist and Missouri. Oregon State swept Brigham Young, extending its winning streak to 10 games. Stanford (7-1) swept San Francisco, which has a series win at UCLA to its credit. Arizona State (8-2) swept Utah and Oregon (6-2) delivered perhaps the loudest statement of all, sweeping UC Santa Barbara, the Big West favorite, on the road.
As the top of the conference takes shape, it’s time to check in on some of the Pac-12’s early risers.
Oregon made a statement at UCSB. It was a challenging first two weeks for the Ducks. First, Oregon’s Opening Weekend series against Nebraska-Omaha was canceled due to Covid-19 issues in the program. It was able to get on the field in Week 2 and started well, winning its first two games against Seattle. But the Ducks lost the next two to split the four-game series.
Coach Mark Wasikowski said the Ducks were too passive and uncompetitive offensively against Seattle.
“We let the ebbs and flows affect us mentally and it was embarrassing for all of us,” he said. “I take full responsibility for that as a head coach. We needed to do better job of teaching and coaching and preparing the team.”
Whatever its issues last weekend against Seattle, Oregon cleaned them up before facing UCSB. Facing one of the most talented pitching staffs on the West Coast, the Ducks scored 38 runs in the sweep. But aside from a 17-2 victory in the nightcap of Saturday’s doubleheader, they didn’t just bash their way to victory. Oregon’s first two wins came by one-run margins (7-6 and 5-4) and Sunday’s finale went 10 innings before the Ducks put away the Gauchos, 9-4.
Wasikowski credited hitting coach Jack Marder and Brett Thomas, director of player development/analytics, for putting together an approach that worked against UCSB’s high-powered pitching staff. But the Ducks also came ready to play all weekend and ground out difficult wins.
“There was a toughness element and the guys persevered,” Wasikowski. “College baseball doesn’t look super pretty most of the time and this weekend was an example of that. We played good defense and had a competitive spirit.”
Getting veteran slugger Kenyon Yovan back in the lineup was also a key. He went 7-for-15 with four home runs on the weekend. After he homered in the first inning Sunday, UCSB effectively quit pitching to Yovan. He was intentionally walked in three of his final five plate appearances, including his last two, which both came with two outs and the bases empty.
Oregon hit eight home runs on the weekend—in addition to Yovan’s four, outfielders Tanner Smith and Aaron Zavala both hit two. After hitting nine home runs in 15 games as a team in 2020, that power was a welcome sight for the Ducks.
Yovan might be anchoring the lineup, but it isn’t just about him.
“He’s a real presence in the lineup and it led to other guys in Oregon uniforms having great weekend as well,” Wasikowski said. “He brings a longer lineup to the table. I think what you see at Oregon is a more physical group. We’ve gone in stretches where we haven’t scored, but I think it’s a more impressive group.”
Oregon taking a step forward offensively would be significant as the season continues. Its pitching staff remains a strength—anchored by starter Cullen Kafka (0-0, 1.00) and closer Kolby Somers (0-0, 0.00, 2 SV)—and if the Ducks lineup packs more of a punch, weekends like this one will become more common and they will be ready to again compete for regionals appearances.
ACC Depth, Rising Pac-12 Highlights College Baseball Weekend (Off The Bat) (baseballamerica.com)
