Quack Fix: George Horton wants trips to Omaha, softball hitting at the right time

Source: Addicted To Quack by jtlight

Spring sports are nearing the postseason, and a number of sports are poised for success.

Oregon baseball is a few games away from a conference title, but the Ducks have a lot more on their minds. George Horton wants frequent trips to Omaha. According to Horton, "In my program if you don't go to Omaha it's a disappointing year. I hate to say that, but it is. So from those standards we still have a lot of work to do." Aaron Fentress' well-written article does a great job taking a look at Horton's plan, and the issues that stand in the way of sustained success.
Looking at this season, the only real concern the

'Bald-Faced Truth' with John Canzano: Oregon baseball coach George Horton (audio)

Source: OregonLive.com by Oregonian Sports

George Horton talks about Oregon's rise into the national rankings just a few years after the program was restarted.

Most important game: California

Source: Pac-12 Football Blog

Every game counts. But some games count more. Or tell us more. We're going through the Pac-12 and picking out one game that seems most important -- or potentially most revealing -- for each team from our vantage point today. We're going in alphabetical order. California Most important game: at Ohio State, Sept. 15 Why it's important: While a midseason Big Game against Bay Area rival Stanford would be the obvious choice -- particularly one in newly remodeled Memorial Stadium -- we're going to be contrarian.

No. 7 Ducks Bid for NCAA Invite in Ann Arbor Regional

Source: Oregon Ducks Official Site

Making its sixth straight regional trip, the No. 7-ranked Oregon seeks a top-five finish in the Ann Arbor NCAA Regional to earn a 25th NCAA bid in school history.

No. 7 Ducks Bid for NCAA Invite in Central Regional

Source: Oregon Ducks Official Site

Making its sixth straight regional trip, the No. 7-ranked Oregon seeks a top-five finish in the NCAA Central Regional to earn a 25th NCAA bid in school history.

Oregon Ducks baseball program seeks frequent trips to College World Series

Source: OregonLive.com by Aaron Fentress, The Oregonian

UO's early success is all part of coach George Horton's grander plan of matching his success at Cal State Fullerton, which reached the College World Series six times under his guidance.

Men’s golf heads to regionals in Michigan looking to put last year’s disappointment behind them

Source: Oregon Daily Emerald by Patrick Malee

Members of the Oregon men’s golf team ended last season with a bad taste in their mouths. Instead of a fourth-straight trip to the NCAA Championships — where, in 2010, the Ducks took third place overall — Oregon’s tie for tenth place in the 2011 Southeast Regional brought the year to a sudden end.

Now, the No. 6 Ducks return to regionals — this time in Ann Arbor, Mich. — with a firm intent to put last year’s disappointment in the rearview mirror and make a triumphant return to the NCAA Championships.

With first-round play beginning Thursday, the path ahead won’t be easy. Oregon is not the highest-ranked team in the field — that honor goes to No. 5 USC — and is just one of four top-20 teams competing. Along with the Trojans, No. 18 Kent State and No. 19 Virginia stand as opposition, as well as a slew of other talented squads like No. 29 Oklahoma State, No. 30 Baylor, No. 41 Kennesaw State and No. 45 TCU.

Of all the schools in the 13-team field, only the top five will advance to the NCAA Championships at the Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles, Calif., and past experience has shown Oregon just how easy it is to fall short of that mark.

Complicating matters a bit will be the time difference — Michigan operates on Eastern Standard time, and so when play tees off at 8 a.m. Thursday, Oregon players’ biological clocks will say it’s just 5 a.m. Especially on the first day of play, this could be a bit jarring.

Yet none of this is new for Oregon head coach Casey Martin, who will look to advance to the NCAA Championships for the fourth time since he arrived in Eugene in 2006. The Ducks were ranked No. 1 at one point during the fall of 2011, and maintained their No. 6 ranking with three team victories this spring. Most recently, the Ducks narrowly lost out on a team title at the inaugural Pac-12 Championship and finished second behind then-No. 6 California.

In Portland State, Ducks begin postseason with familiar opponent

Source: Oregon Daily Emerald by Lucas Clark

Following one of its best regular season performances in program history, the 11^th-seeded Oregon softball team will enjoy home field advantage in the postseason for the first time ever when it hosts the Eugene Regional in the opening round of the NCAA Softball Tournament this weekend at Howe Field.

The four-team regional begins Thursday, when BYU (43-13) of the WAC matches up with SEC opponent Mississippi State (33-22) in the tournament opener at 3 p.m. Meanwhile, the Ducks (39-15), who finished third in the Pac-12 this year, will play PCSC champions Portland State in a 6 p.m. contest.

Playing at home will be a welcomed change of pace for the two-time Super Regional advancing Ducks. Last season, Oregon won the Penn State Regional in State College, Pa., and back in 2010 the Ducks won the Georgia Tech Regional in Atlanta, Ga.

Being on the other end of a lengthy cross-country flight has the Ducks excited for what’s in store this weekend.

“I’m looking forward to the fans,” junior second baseman Kaylan Howard told GoDucks.com. “Every time we were somewhere else we always had to deal with the fans yelling and bickering and rooting for the other team. So it’s going to be nice to have home field advantage and have people root for us.”

Oregon held a 13-9 record at home during the regular season, capped by a crucial series victory over then-No. 14 UCLA this past weekend, which guaranteed the Ducks the right to host in the first round of the tournament. By most measures, Oregon drew a favorable position in the bracket considering it’s already played two of the three teams coming to Eugene.

Tonight’s contest features a Portland State team that fell in both games of a rainy doubleheader to the Ducks, 10-4 and 1-0, at Howe Field back on April 18. Oregon leads the all-time series 102-49-1 with the last four meetings falling in its favor. The Vikings last victory came in a 4-1 decision at Howe Field in 2010.

What could prove favorable for Portland State is junior right-hander Anna Bertrand’s first appearance against the Ducks this season. Bertrand (21-11) was the unanimous choice for the 2012 PCSC Mountain Division pitcher of the year, and did not throw when the two teams met in April. Neither did Oregon ace Jessica Moore (27-12), however, who was tabbed an all-Pac-12 first team performer for the second year in a row, the conference announced on Wednesday.

Head coach Mike White decided to pitch freshman right-hander Karissa Hovinga (12-3) in both games of last month’s doubleheader, though he’ll likely stick with the proven veteran in Moore, who beat UCLA in two of three games last weekend.

“I like the way that Jess Moore threw the last two games, that’s an encouraging factor,” White told GoDucks.com on Sunday. “I like the way that we’re starting to get production out of our 3-4-5 (hitters).

“Sam Pappas had a great weekend (against UCLA) and if she continues to swing a hot bat we’re in a good position because we can put her in different parts of the lineup and I think that’s going to be big.”

Pappas joined Moore on the all-Pac-12 first team this year — an award she also claimed as a true freshman in 2010 — and seems to have found her stride offensively as of late. In facing the Bruins to close out the regular season, Pappas led Oregon with a .500 batting average (4-for-8) and tallied four hits, three doubles, a home run, two RBI and two runs scored in three games.

Portland State shortstop Alicia Fine, a first-team all-conference performer that was chosen as the PCSC freshman of the year, batted .359 to lead the Vikings at the plate. Her 31 RBI and 11 doubles were both team highs, and she also posted a .971 fielding percentage after being charged with only two errors in 89 fielding chances.

Oregon and Portland State also happen to share a common opponent in BYU this season. The Cougars beat the Ducks, 2-1, in just their third game of the year back on Feb. 11, and went on to defeat the Vikings, 4-1, just five days later.

“We’ve got to make sure that we’re ready to play defensively,” White said. “That’s been our Achilles heel all year and we’ve got to make sure we sure that up.

“If we play great defense and we pitch well, I think our hitting will be there.”

Eleven Ducks Land All-Pac-12 Softball Honors

Source: Oregon Ducks Official Site

Showcasing one of its most talented teams ever, No. 12-ranked Oregon celebrated a host of All-Pac-12 honors on Wednesday.

Track & Field Notebook: Oregon's Lauryn Newson makes a big impression at the Pac-12 Championships

Source: OregonLive.com by Ken Goe, The Oregonian

Also, Concordia discus thrower Nate Moses takes aim at the U.S. Olympic Trials.

Jessica Moore repeats as first-team all-Pac-12 performer, 11 Ducks honored in total

Source: Oregon Daily Emerald by Lucas Clark

The 11^th-seed Oregon softball team, which hosts its first ever NCAA Regional Thursday through Sunday at Howe Field, received some more good news from the Pac-12 conference on Wednesday afternoon.

The Ducks, who finished in third place in the Pac-12 regular season standings, had eleven players earn all-conference recognition. Junior right-hander Jessica Moore was one of the three first-team all-Pac-12 pitchers chosen, making it the second straight year Moore was a first team selection. She was a second team honoree and all-Pac-10 freshman team choice back in 2010, and has been an all-region first team performer the last two years.

Junior outfielder Samantha Pappas joined Moore on the first team after leading the Ducks with a .407 batting average in 2012. Pappas was a first-team all-conference performer as a true freshman in 2010, and also was chosen to the all-freshman team.  

Senior shortstop Kelsey Chambers and junior second baseman Kaylan Howard were all-Pac-12 second team recipients. Chambers was an honorable mention all-conference selection as a sophomore in 2010, while Howard was an all-freshman team honorable mention choice that year.

Sophomore third baseman Courtney Ceo, who missed the final 18 games of the regular season with a torn ACL, garnered all-conference honorable mention recognition. Sophomore first baseman Kailee Cuico, senior outfielder Christie Nieto and sophomore catcher Alexa Peterson joined Ceo on the honorable mention squad.

Freshman outfielder Janie Takeda represented Oregon on the Pac-12 all-freshman team, while right-hander Karissa Hovinga and outfielder Sara Goodrum were both honorable mention freshman team honorees.

California’s Valerie Arioto became the first Golden Bear to be named the Pac-12 player of the year, while teammate Jolene Henderson claimed Pac-12 pitcher of the year honors for the second straight season. UCLA’s Stephany LaRosa was chosen as the conference’s freshman of the year, and Stanford senior shortstop Ashley Hansen earned Pac-12 defensive player of the year accolades.

Top-ranked California head coach Diane Ninemire was selected as the Pac-12 coach of the year for the second time in her 25-year career with the Golden Bears. She also won the award in 1991.

No. 12 Ducks Pile Up All-Pac-12 Softball Honors

Source: Oregon Ducks Official Site

Showcasing one of its most talented teams ever, No. 12-ranked Oregon celebrated 11 All-Pac-12 honors on Wednesday.

Men’s golf heads to regionals in Michigan looking to put last year’s disappointment in rearview mirror

Source: Oregon Daily Emerald by Patrick Malee

The Oregon men’s golf team ended last season with a bad taste in their mouths. Instead of a fourth straight trip to the NCAA Championships — where in 2010 the Ducks took third place overall — Oregon’s tenth place tie in the 2011 Southeast Regional brought the year to a sudden end.

Now, the No. 6 Ducks return to regionals — this time in Ann Arbor, Mich. — with a firm intent to put last year’s disappointment in the rearview mirror and make a triumphant return to the NCAA Championships.

With first round play beginning today, the path ahead won’t be easy. Oregon is not the highest ranked team in the field — that honor goes to No. 5 USC — and is just one of four top 20 teams competing. Along with the Trojans, No. 18 Kent State and No. 19 Virginia stand as opposition, as well as a slew of other talented squads like No. 29 Oklahoma State, No. 30 Baylor, No. 41 Kennesaw State and No. 45 TCU.

Of all the schools in the 13-team field, only the top five will advance to the NCAA Championships at the Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles, Calif., and past experience has shown Oregon just how easy it is to fall short of that mark.

Complicating matters a bit will be the time difference — Michigan operates on Eastern Standard time, and so when play teed off at 8 a.m. today, Oregon players’ biological clocks said it was just 5 a.m. Especially on the first day of play, this could be a bit jarring.

Yet none of this is new for Oregon head coach Casey Martin, who will look to advance to the NCAA Championships for the fourth time since he arrived in Eugene back in 2006. The Ducks were ranked No. 1 at one point during the fall of 2011, and maintained their No. 6 ranking with three team victories this spring. Most recently, the Ducks narrowly lost out on a team title at the inaugural Pac-12 Championship and finished second behind then No. 6 California.

Oregon Offers Danny Friend, Illinois Tight End

Source: Autzen Zoo by Brian Spaen

It’s been 44 days since Danny Friend, tight end/offensive tackle from Morris, Illinois, has received an offer from a school. Oregon gives him his fifth offer, shooting him into the 2013 recuriting rankings.

… [visit site to read more]

Oregon Offers Danny Friend, Illinois Tight End - Autzen Zoo - Autzen Zoo - An Oregon Ducks Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and more.

Rosenthal: You just can’t beat the Stanley Cup Playoffs

Source: Oregon Daily Emerald by Isaac Rosenthal

There’s nothing quite like the NHL playoffs.

Sorry, but the NBA’s postseason simply doesn’t compare. I know, I know, hockey is a low scoring sport for Canadians and Europeans with impossible-to-spell surnames and you can’t be bothered to turn your attention away Craig Sager’s florescent sport coats, but that’s your loss.

The NHL’s eventual champion will win the Stanley Cup. ‘The’ Stanley Cup, not ‘A’ Larry O’Brien Trophy. Hockey’s Holy Grail is one trophy, the same one lifted by Wayne Gretzky, Gordie Howe and Bobby Orr. That definitely adds a sort of magical quality to the Cup that isn’t present with any other trophy in American sports. While it’s cool for NBA, NFL and MLB teams to be able to have trophy rooms, it’s another thing entirely when the grand prize is the same object lifted by hockey’s all time greats.

And what a trophy it is, too.

First off, the Stanley Cup is simply gorgeous. Hockey is, realistically, the fourth or fifth most popular sport in this country (which is a tragedy in and of itself) but I think it’s pretty safe to say the Stanley Cup is the most recognizable trophy in American sports, although the Stanley Cup is much more than a trophy.

With the names of every player and coach ever to win it etched into its sides, the Stanley Cup is a primary source history of the league and even the world of hockey before the existence of the NHL.

Amidst these names are imperfections, typos — even one flat out inaccuracy from when Edmonton Oilers owner Peter Pocklington had his father’s name engraved on the trophy in 1984. That name has been crossed off the cup with a series of Xs marked over it.

But the stories the Stanley Cup could tell if it ever got the chance to talk go far, far beyond the legends etched into its side. Players and their families get 24 hours with the Cup when their team wins and they’re basically free to do with it as they please, provided they don’t break it.

Babies have been baptized in it, dogs have been fed from it, and it’s held its share of celebratory liquors in victorious locker rooms.

Such a prize creates a postseason that puts the intensity level of the NBA playoffs to shame. Everything is bigger, faster, louder and done with more oomph. You know, everything you like about the NBA playoffs, just more so.

Even if you don’t watch hockey in the regular season, the NHL playoffs are worth paying attention to. The pace of the game is ratcheted up so much from the regular season it almost resembles an entirely different sport. Hits are harder, saves are more acrobatic. Playoff hockey is a rare sport where ‘desperation’ is a requirement for success.

Oh and the north-of-the-border equivalent of Craig Sager is head and shoulders crazier than Craig could ever hope to be. Don’t believe me? Just look up Don Cherry.

Those suits are something, huh? And if you’ve ever watched Hockey Night In Canada, you can back me up on this — they’re actually an accurate reflection of how crazy a man like Cherry really is.

Oh, and the beards.

There is no greater tradition in sports than playoff beards, and nothing says May hockey like a good quality playoff beard. I’m trying to imagine what the NBA playoffs would look like if ninety percent of people played rocking the James Harden look and it doesn’t seem to translate to the hardwood.

The other great tradition of the NHL playoffs lies not in a symbol of victory but in one of defeat. At the end of each playoff series the teams shake hands at center ice, you know, like you did when you were 12. It’s really cool to see a handshake line after a long, physical seven game series. Players that were moments ago about to maim each other showing a genuine act of sportsmanship: that’s special.

Playoff sports are always more intense than the regular season, but as a spectacle, the NHL playoffs are truly in a league of their own.

Three Likely Post-Season Games for 2012 USC Trojans: A Fan’s Take (Yahoo! Contributor Network)

Source: Yahoo! NCAAF

Before I get started, the post-season I'm talking about isn't the Pac-12 Conference Championship. These are the likely bowl games and/or National Championship contests the University of Southern California Trojans are likely to play in after the entire 2012 regular and postseason conference games have been played.

Three pleasant surprises this spring

Source: Pac-12 Football Blog

CBS Sports Bruce Feldman made a top-10 list of his "most pleasant surprise guys of the spring," and it included three from the Pac-12: Washington DT Danny Shelton, UCLA RB/WR Steven Manfro and Oregon QB Marcus Mariota. Three good choices. Here's what he said about Shelton: Danny Shelton, Washington, DT: The U-Dub defense was brutal in 2011, ranking 108th in scoring D and 106th in total D. They also were No. 87 in TFLs and No. 76 in run defense.

NCAA Softball: Oregon, Oregon State and Portland State have high expectations, even if they're Northwest schools

Source: OregonLive.com by Lindsay Schnell, The Oregonian

Every Division-I program in the state is headed to the postseason despite some obstacles out of their control

Cougs open on Thursday vs. BYU

Source: Pac-12 Football Blog

Washington State's season-opening game at BYU has been moved to Thursday, Aug. 30, and will be televised nationally on ESPN. Kickoff will be at 7:15 p.m. ET. The game had previously been scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 1. This is the second game on the Cougars' 2012 schedule that will be televised by ESPN. It was previously announced that WSU’s game at UNLV will be played Friday, Sept. 14, in Las Vegas on ESPN.

Cal prep stars take wait and see approach

Source: Pac-12 Football Blog

California is the lifeblood of Pac-12 recruiting. Sure, coaches talk about putting up fences in their backyards and keeping their state's elite talent within. But the majority of the top-notch players from the conference hail from the Golden State -- Northern, Southern and everywhere in between. So it was an interesting read in SI to see that the bulk of top-rated players in the state are holding out before making a commitment. Bravo. It would be nice to see players make their commitment after some careful consideration and then stick with it.

Video: New coaches on college playoffs

Source: Pac-12 Football Blog

The four new Pac-12 coaches -- Todd Graham, Mike Leach, Jim Mora and Rich Rodriguez -- discuss what they think about a playoff in college football.

Lunch links: Ranking Pac-12 logos

Source: Pac-12 Football Blog

"They're such beautiful shirts," she sobbed, her voice muffled in the thick folds. "It makes me sad because I've never seen such-such beautiful shirts before." A lot of good guys got snubbed by the College Football Hall of Fame, including this Arizona great. Former Arizona State QBs offer advice to whoever wins the job in August. So where does new CF Hall of Famer Steve Bartkowski rate among former California QBs? Colorado and Oregon have something in common: Staff stability heading into 2012.

Oregon Ducks rundown: Does No. 6 Oregon have enough offense to reach College World Series?

Source: OregonLive.com by Aaron Fentress, The Oregonian

UO is by far the worst run producer among the nation's Top 25.

College football conference realignment: what do we really know about the revenue-maximization endgame?

Source: Addicted To Quack by David Piper

I never cease to be enthralled by the shenanigans of conference realignment.

We know that the catalyst behind realignment is money-college football television money, to be exact. This was the reason for a seemingly illogical marriage between San Diego State, Boise State, and the Big East, was that AQ status, and access to a guaranteed BCS bowl, would maximize revenue potential for those programs that would make the travel worth it. While those arrangements are in jeopardy, they do bring to light a logical idea that should be getting more press than it is and that I will explore in another post: the breaking of the bonds between a school's football conference alignment, and that of a school's other sports.

But the issue

Oregon track & field rundown: What's wrong with the sport? It's all in the presentation

Source: OregonLive.com by Ken Goe, The Oregonian

There needs to be more head-to-head competition.

Video: 7-on-7's impact on college football

Source: Pac-12 Football Blog

The four new Pac-12 coaches -- Todd Graham, Mike Leach, Jim Mora and Rich Rodriguez -- discuss the impact that 7-on-7 camps have had on college football.

Miracle Wolf Scholarship Fund

Source: Addicted To Quack by Matt Daddy

via cdn.head-fi.org

All of you are awesome! I can't tell you how humbled and small I feel by your generous outpouring of compassion and support that you showed through this fundraiser over the last two weeks. There aren't enough words and space to thank everyone involved, but I'll try. From axemen23 and his tireless work on getting the auctions up and answering all the questions from the bidders, to benzduck and his charitableness in getting poster put together for those that wanted them. To gekko mojo at

20 Years Ago - Hawaii Warriors Earn First WAC Championship: A Fan’s Look Back (Yahoo! Contributor Network)

Source: Yahoo! NCAAF

In 1992, inflation was 3%, a new home cost on average $122K, average monthly rent was $500 and gasoline was $1.00 a gallon. 20 years isn't that long ago and yet in some sense, it seems like ages ago.

WeAreSC links: Boosting the RBs

Source: Pac-12 Football Blog

Garry Paskwietz and Erik McKinney discuss : Tuesday's commitment of Ty Isaac and its possible impact on USC's 2013 recruiting class. Erik McKinney writes : After seeing the top California running backs head to Oregon the past two years, the Trojans will find out the fate of the state's top running back, Justin Davis, on Thursday. Erik McKinney writes : Petaluma, Calif., defensive lineman Elijah Qualls was offered by the Trojans on Tuesday, vaulting USC into his top group of schools.

Ducks in the money; Beavers are not

Source: Pac-12 Football Blog

USA Today has published its annual study of expenses, revenues and subsidies for athletic departments at every Division I public program, and only 22 schools operate in the black. The only Pac-12 school among that 22 is Oregon, though figures aren't available for USC and Stanford because they are private institutions. Oregon led the Pac-12 in total revenue with $85,819,699. That ranked 17th in the nation. Washington was second with $70,231,336, which ranked 30th.

Interview with “Surf the Spear” on Jordan Bell

Source: Autzen Zoo by Brian Spaen

With Anthony Bennett choosing UNLV over Oregon, it’s time to look ahead at what other possible power forwards lay on the horizon for Oregon. Three-star recruit Ben Carter has been recruited for the upcoming season, who has as high as a 26th national ranking for that position.

… [visit site to read more]

Interview with “Surf the Spear” on Jordan Bell - Autzen Zoo - Autzen Zoo - An Oregon Ducks Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and more.

Quack Fix: Podcasting with CougCenter, dilapidated Howe Field

Source: Addicted To Quack by David Piper

It is foolish and childish, on the face of it, to affiliate ourselves with anything so insignificant and patently contrived and commercially exploitative as a professional sports team, and the amused superiority and icy scorn that the non-fan directs at the sports nut...is understandable and almost unanswerable. Almost. What is left out of this calculation, it seems to me, is the business of caring - caring deeply and passionately, really CARING - which is a capacity or an emotion that has almost gone out of our lives. And so it seems possible that we have come to a time when it no longer matters so much what the caring is about, how frail or foolish is the object of that concern, as long as the feeling itself can be saved.

2013 In Depth: Tight End - Oregon [$$] (Rivals)

Source: Yahoo! NCAAF

Most important game: Arizona State

Source: Pac-12 Football Blog

Every game counts. But some games count more. Or tell us more. We're going through the Pac-12 and picking out one game that seems most important -- or potentially most revealing -- for each team from our vantage point today. We're going in alphabetical order. Arizona State Most important game: Northern Arizona, Aug. 30/Sept. 1 Why it's important: Ted did a bit of thunder stealing by pointing out that Arizona's most important game was Arizona State on Nov.

#11 Seed Ducks Set for First NCAA Regional Home Games

Source: Oregon Ducks Official Site

After polishing off one of its most successful regular seasons ever, #11 seed Oregon (39-15, 13-9) looks ahead to its 14th NCAA Regional bid, and its first home postseason games in school history.

No. 11 Seed Duck Softball Hosts First NCAA Regional at Howe Field

Source: Oregon Ducks Official Site

After polishing off one of its most successful regular seasons ever, the #11 seed University of Oregon softball team (39-15, 13-9) looks ahead to its 14th NCAA Regional bid, and its first home postseason games in school history. lt;br /> lt;br />The Ducks are the top seed in the four-team regional that will be held in Eugene at Howe Field on

After Pac-12s sweep, Oregon women, men move up in latest track rankings

Source: Oregon Daily Emerald by David Lieberman

After a resounding victory in the Pac-12 Championships, Oregon women’s track and field leaped up in the USTFCCCA’s latest national rankings.

The women moved from No. 7 to No.3, trailing only No. 2 Kansas (who moved up from No. 5) and No. 1 LSU (which moved up from No. 2). Other Pac-12 teams included No. 8 Arizona, No. 10 Arizona State, No. 11 Stanford and No. 23 Southern California.

In the men’s poll, Oregon moved up from No. 22 to No. 20 after winning the Pac-12 title. Texas A&M sits at No. 1, trailed by No. 2 Florida and No. 3 Indiana. Pac-12 teams included No. 11 Southern California, No. 14 Arizona State, No. 15 Arizona and No. 22 Stanford.

With the Pac-12 Championships in the rearview mirror, Oregon’s men and women can now look forward to the NCAA Championships next month.

Pac-12 Roundup: Spring edition

Source: Oregon Daily Emerald by Lucas Clark

Arizona
Wildcats sophomore left fielder Johnny Field was named the Pac-12 Player of the Week for baseball, and teammate Kurt Heyer was chosen as the conference’s Pitcher of the Week for the week of May 7-13. In Arizona’s sweep at California, Field recorded a total of seven hits and stretched his current hitting streak to 12 games. He also scored four runs to go along with a home run and two doubles over the weekend. Heyer, a junior right-hander, threw his fifth complete game of the season on Friday with nine strikeouts and one walk in the 3-1 victory.

Arizona State
The fourth-ranked Arizona State women’s golf team punched its ticket to the NCAA Championships with a ninth-place finish at the NCAA East Regional in State College, Pa., on Saturday. The Sun Devils currently hold the nation’s longest steak of NCAA Championship appearances in women’s golf, having qualified for their 21st straight this weekend.

California
Softball senior pitcher Valerie Arioto took home Pac-12 Pitcher of the Week honors after leading the Golden Bears to the outright conference title this past weekend. It was the third Player of the Week nod for Arioto, who garnered the distinction twice already this season. Facing No. 3 Arizona State on Friday, she struck out 11 and gave up just one walk to pick up her 20th win of the season. Oregon’s Jessica Moore was also nominated for the award.

Colorado
Distance runner Shalaya Kipp claimed Colorado’s first Pac-12 track and field title when she won the 3,000-meter steeplechase Saturday afternoon at Hayward Field. She later went on to finish fifth in women’s 5,000 — a race won by teammate Jessica Tebo — to conclude the Pac-12 meet with 14 points for the Buffaloes.

Oregon
The No. 6 Oregon baseball team completed the sweep of USC to extend its lead in the Pac-12 standings to 1 1/2 games over Arizona on Monday night at PK Park. Trailing 3-1 in the bottom of the sixth, the Ducks claimed their first lead after a three-run inning and added a pair of insurance runs two innings later. Closer Jimmie Sherfy then came on to shut the Trojans out over the final 1 2/3 innings, striking out four of the five batters he faced to earn his 15th save of the season. Oregon will be back in action when it hosts Seattle at PK Park on Friday.

Oregon State
Beavers freshman outfielder Michael Conforto accepted an invitation to play for the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team this summer. The Woodinville, Wash., native will be the sixth Oregon State player to compete for Team USA, joining an impressive list of players including Kevin Gunderson (2005), Jonah Nickerson (2005), Darwin Barney (2006), Kevin Rhoderick (2008) and Matt Boyd (2011). Conforto leads the Pac-12 with 63 RBI this season, the fifth best total in the nation. He also has 10 doubles, a triple and 11 home runs, while batting .348 in 47 games on the year.

Stanford
The Stanford women’s water polo team won its second straight NCAA title, and third overall, in a 6-4 victory over USC at the Aztec Aquaplex in San Diego this past weekend. Senior Pallavi Menon had the game-winning goal for the Cardinal — her second of the game — with 1:11 left in regulation. Stanford goalkeeper Kate Baldoni was chosen as the tournament MVP after making a total of 29 saves and allowing just nine goals in wins over Pomona-Pitzer, UC Irvine and USC.

UCLA
Former UCLA Bruin and current Philadelphia 76er Jrue Holiday helped his team to a road win over the Boston Celtics in game two of the Eastern Conference semifinals Monday night at TD Garden. Holiday, a second-year player who spent just one season with UCLA back in 2008-09, played a game-high 41 minutes and led all scorers with 18 points on 4-of-6 shooting from behind the three-point line. Now tied a 1-1, the series returns to Philadelphia for game three this afternoon.

USC
The USC women’s tennis team will be competing in the Round of 16 at the NCAA Championships later this week. The Trojans survived the first two rounds of the tournament last week to reach the Round of 16 for the first time since the 2008 season. USC enters this weekend’s action as the No. 5 seed and will face No. 12 Baylor in the opening round on Saturday. This year marks the 21st consecutive NCAA appearance for the Women of Troy, including seven national championships during that stretch.

Utah
Senior Anastasia Putilina of the Utah women’s tennis team was chosen as an All-Pac-12 honorable mention honoree, Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott announced last week. The Belgorod, Russia, native tallied a 5-5 record in No. 1 singles action during conference play and will close out her collegiate career at the NCAA singles championships May 23-28 at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex in Athens, Ga.

Washington
The Washington Huskies defended their conference title at the Pac-12 Rowing Championships on Lake Natoma in Gold River, Calif., over the weekend. Washington remained undefeated on the season and took the team title for the third consecutive season. The Huskies swept the men’s races, taking the frosh/novice eight, varsity four, second varsity eight and closed the regatta with a win in the varsity eight in 5:43.50.

Washington State
Washington State head coach Lisa Hart was honored as the Pac-12 women’s tennis coach of the year and junior Liudmila Vasilieva earned all-Pac-12 second team recognition, the conference announced late last week. Now in her ninth season at the Cougars helm, Hart led her team to a 19-6 record in 2012, which earned them a spot in the 2012 NCAA women’s tennis championship later this month. The Yekaterinburg, Russia, native put together a 32-8 campaign to claim the second-most single-season wins in program history.

Only way for Oregon track and field is up

Source: Oregon Daily Emerald by David Lieberman

After a resounding victory in the Pac-12 Championships, Oregon women’s track and field leaped up in the USTFCCCA’s latest national rankings.

The women moved from No. 7 to No.3, trailing only No. 2 Kansas (who moved up from No. 5) and No. 1 LSU (which moved up from No. 2). Other Pac-12 teams included No. 8 Arizona, No. 10 Arizona State, No. 11 Stanford and No. 23 Southern California.

In the men’s poll, Oregon moved up from No. 22 to No. 20 after winning the Pac-12 title. Texas A&M sits at No. 1, trailed by No. 2 Florida and No. 3 Indiana. Pac-12 teams included No. 11 Southern California, No. 14 Arizona State, No. 15 Arizona and No. 22 Stanford.

With the Pac-12 Championship in the rearview mirror, Oregon’s men and women can now look forward to the NCAA Championships next month.

Oregon Football Recruiting: The Ducks Need to Pick Up the Slow Pace for 2013

Source: Bleacher Report NCAAF

Years ago, I worked for Nike. One morning, a day after I had produced a terrific event with Andre Agassi and Nike employees on the Oregon campus, Phil Knight was behind me in the coffee line. He tapped me on the shoulder and said, "Great event yesterday. What are you going to do for Nike today?"

I thought about that when I sat down to write a Ducks recruiting story this morning. No matter how good your last recruiting class was, next year is already looming, and you'd better come up with some juicy talent.

There is no resting on your laurels—not if you don't want the rest of the world (Urban Meyer) to pass you by.

While we're all waiting with much anticipation to see Byron Marshall, Kyle Long, the Amoako brothers and the rest of the 2012 class this fall, who are the Ducks working on for 2013?

Are they falling behind competing schools?

I fear the answer to that question is yes. While the Ducks are traditionally slow out of the recruiting gate, this feels slower than usual.

Oregon doesn't sign any prospects until they have visited the campus, which is one reason why they usually finish better than they start. I've always felt that policy is smart because it's usually raining when the recruits visit, so they know what they're getting into weather-wise before they commit.

But I am getting antsy. As of today, there are seven 5-star prospects from all corners of the country who have Oregon on their "interested in" list, and almost too many 4-stars to list. Depending on which list you believe, there are between 17-20 of the Top 100 prospects who have the Ducks on their short lists.

Let's go, Ducks! Turn a couple of these superstars from "interested" to "committed," and let's keep this party going.

Begin Slideshow

Clark: Viewing opportunities aplenty for Oregon faithful as summer approaches

Source: Oregon Daily Emerald by Lucas Clark

What a spring it’s turned out to be for Oregon athletics.

Coming out of the trench of a fourth-month span we’ve come to accept as basketball season here in Eugene, I wasn’t sure what to expect from another busy spring slate.

Expectations were as high as they always seem to be for the track and field program. Mike White’s revamped Oregon softball team was coming off back-to-back Super Regional appearances for the first time in school history. Meanwhile, Oregon baseball entered February with more than a handful of unknowns after a disappointing 2011 season.

From year to year, we’ve come to expect certain levels of excellence from the respected athletic programs here at Oregon. Yes, Duck football will continue to dominate the fan base, as shown by the 40,000-plus that attended the spring game three weeks ago. But, as spring sports began approaching the end of the regular season these past few weeks, I finally started to realize just how spoiled we are this late in the year.

For starters, I spent a couple days at the Pac-12 Conference Track and Field Championships this past weekend, my first track meet since the USA Outdoors last June. Competitor after competitor would constantly praise the environment at Hayward Field and the knowledgeable fans who make TrackTown USA like no other place in the country.

Yes, the weather conditions were absolutely pristine, but there’s a certain quality about Hayward Field that simply can’t be matched. I spoke to a local high school and club track coach earlier this week about getting ready for districts and the eventual state meet held each year at Hayward, and he reiterated that message.

“The amazing thing about Hayward Field,” he said, “is regardless of what you think you’re athletically prepared for, there’s just that aura about Hayward Field that, until you’ve been there in that moment, you’re just not ready for it.”

Oregon was ready to defend its home turf, and now has a pair of Pac-12 championships to show for it.

Then there’s the rising softball program. Now, Howe Field, while great to play on, is arguably the least inviting venue for any sport affiliated with the University. Not because it isn’t well kept but because they take the cake in that category. Just the simple design and size of the stadium makes it tough to get a sell-out crowd through the gates.

However, I can’t imagine that will be the feeling when Oregon hosts its first-ever NCAA regional — along with a third-straight Super Regionals berth — looming at weekend’s end. Having spent three years on the softball beat, I’ve grown to appreciate the sport much more than I ever anticipated. And let me just say, there’s something different about this year’s team. They’re balanced offensively, have a pitcher in Jessica Moore who’s proven time and again she can match up with any team in the country, and coach with a knack for making all the right second-day adjustments.

The same can be said for the Men of Oregon over at PK Park. Though it’s been a few weeks since I covered the Ducks, from what I’ve been reading, there is something special brewing, too, over there. With a 1 1/2-game lead over Arizona for first place in the Pac-12 standings, Oregon has a chance to claim its first conference title and join the softball team in hosting an NCAA Regional in June.

In the handful of games I’ve seen — other than an epic eighth-inning collapse against Washington State in late April — the Ducks just find a way to win. Victorious in 11 of their last 12 outings, Oregon is one Civil War series victory away from reaching the first of its many preseason goals.

If you were among the PK Park record crowd of 3,892 who watched Oregon beat Cal immediately after the football spring game, then you can understand what postseason baseball in Eugene has the potential to be. Of the three exceptional seasons we’ve covered here, none gets me more excited than the idea of NCAA Tournament baseball in our own back yard.

By now, Oregon faithful, you realize things are quickly picking up steam. And I encourage you to take every advantage of it that you can before the summer is fully upon us.

Clark: With spring seasons drawing to an end, viewing opportunities aplenty for Oregon faithful

Source: Oregon Daily Emerald by Lucas Clark

What a spring it’s turned out to be in Oregon athletics.

Coming of the trench of a fourth-month span that we’ve come to accept as basketball season here in Eugene, I wasn’t sure what to expect from another busy spring slate.

Expectations were as high as they always seem to be for the track and field program. Mike White’s revamped Oregon softball team was coming off back-to-back Super Regional appearances for the first time in school history. Meanwhile, Oregon baseball entered February with more than a handful of unknowns after a disappointing 2011 season.

From year to year, we’ve come to expect certain levels of excellence from the respected athletic programs here at Oregon. Yes, Duck football will continue to dominate the fan base, as shown by the 40,000-plus that attended the spring game three weeks ago. But, as spring sports began approaching the end of the regular season these past few weeks, I finally started to realize just how spoiled we are this late in the year.

For starters, I spent a couple days at the Pac-12 track and field championships this past weekend, my first track meet since the USA Outdoors last June. Competitor after competitor would constantly praise the environment at Hayward Field and the knowledgeable fans that make Track Town, USA like no other place in the country.

Yes, the weather conditions were absolutely pristine, but there’s a certain quality about Hayward Field that simply can’t be matched. I spoke to a local high school and club track coach earlier this week about getting ready for districts and eventually the state meet, held each year at Hayward, and he reiterated that message.

“The amazing thing about Hayward Field,” he said, “is regardless of what you think you’re athletically prepared for, there’s just that aura about Hayward Field that, until you’ve been there in that moment, you’re just not ready for it.”

Oregon was ready to defend its home turf, and now has a pair of Pac-12 championships to show for it.

Then there’s the rising softball program. Now, Howe Field, while great to play on, is arguably the least inviting venue for any sport affiliated with the University of Oregon. Not because it isn’t well kept, because they take the cake in that category. Just the simple design and size of the stadium makes it tough to get a sell-out crowd through the gates.

However, I can’t imagine that will be the feeling when Oregon hosts its first ever NCAA regional with a third-straight Super Regionals berth looming at weekend’s end. Having spent three years on the softball beat, I’ve grown to appreciate the sport much more than I ever anticipated. And let me just say, there’s something different about this year’s team. They’re balanced offensively, have a pitcher in Jessica Moore who’s proven time and again that she can match up with any team in the country, and coach with a knack for making all the right second-day adjustments.

The same can be said for the Men of Oregon over at PK Park. Though it’s been a few weeks since I covered the Ducks, from what I’ve been reading there is something special brewing over there. With a 1 1/2-game lead over Arizona for first place in the Pac-12 standings, Oregon has a chance to claim its first conference title and join the softball team in hosting an NCAA Regional in June.

In the handful of games I’ve seen — other than an epic eighth-inning collapse against Washington State in late April — the Ducks just find a way to win. Victorious in 11 of their last 12 outings, Oregon is one Civil War series away from reaching the first of its many preseason goals.

If you were among the PK Park record crowd of 3,892 that watched Oregon beat Cal immediately after the football spring game, then you can understand what postseason baseball in Eugene has the potential to be. Of the three exceptional seasons we’ve covered here, none gets me more excited than the idea of NCAA tournament baseball in our own back yard.

By now, Oregon faithful, you realize things are quickly picking up steam. And I encourage you to take every advantage of it that you can before the summer is fully upon us.

Pac-12 round up spring edition

Source: Oregon Daily Emerald by Lucas Clark

Arizona
Wildcats sophomore left fielder Johnny Field was named the Pac-12 baseball player of the week and teammate Kurt Heyer was chosen as the conference’s pitcher of the week for the week of May 7-13. In Arizona’s sweep at California, Field recorded a total of seven hits and stretched his current hitting streak to 12 games. He also scored four runs, to go along with a home run and two doubles on the weekend. Heyer, a junior right-hander, threw his fifth complete game of the season on Friday with nine strikeouts and one walk in the 3-1 victory.

Arizona State
The fourth-ranked Arizona State women’s golf team punched its ticket to the NCAA Championships with a ninth-place finish at the NCAA East Regional in State College, Pa., on Saturday. The Sun Devils currently hold the nation’s longest steak of NCAA Championship appearances in women’s golf, having qualified for their 21st straight this weekend.

California
Senior pitcher Valerie Arioto took home Pac-12 softball pitcher of the week honors after leading the Golden Bears to the outright conference title this past weekend. It was the third player of the week nod for Arioto, who garnered the distinction as player of the week twice already this season. Facing No. 3 Arizona State on Friday, Arioto struck out 11 and gave up just one walk to pick up her 20th win of the season. Oregon’s Jessica Moore was also nominated for the award.

Colorado
Distance runner Shalaya Kipp claimed Colorado’s first Pac-12 track and field title when she won the 3,000-meter steeplechase Saturday afternoon at Hayward Field. She later went on to finish fifth in women’s 5,000 — a race won by teammate Jessica Tebo — to conclude the Pac-12 meet with 14 points for the Buffaloes.

Oregon
The No. 6 Oregon baseball team completed the sweep of USC to extend its lead in the Pac-12 standings to 1 1/2 games over Arizona on Monday night at PK Park. Trailing 3-1 in the bottom of the sixth, the Ducks claimed their first lead after a three-run inning and added a pair of insurance runs two innings later. Closer Jimmie Sherfy then came on to shut the Trojans out over the final 1 2/3 innings, striking out four of the five batters he faced to earn his 15th save of the season. Oregon will be back in action when it hosts Seattle at PK Park on Friday.

Oregon State
Beavers freshman outfielder Michael Conforto accepted an invitation to play for the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team this summer. The Woodinville, Wash., native will be the sixth Oregon State player to compete for Team USA, joining an impressive list of Kevin Gunderson (2005), Jonah Nickerson (2005), Darwin Barney (2006), Kevin Rhoderick (2008) and Matt Boyd (2011). Conforto leads the Pac-12 with 63 RBI this season, the fifth best total in the nation. He also has 10 doubles, a triple and 11 home runs, while batting .348 in 47 games on the year.

Stanford
The Stanford women’s water polo team won its second straight NCAA title, and third overall, in a 6-4 victory over USC at the Aztec Aquaplex in San Diego this past weekend. Senior Pallavi Menon had the game-winning goal for the Cardinal — her second of the game — with 1:11 left in regulation. Stanford goalkeeper Kate Baldoni was chosen as the tournament MVP after making a total of 29 saves and allowing just nine goals in wins over Pomona-Pitzer, UC Irvine and USC.

UCLA
Former UCLA Bruin and current Philadelphia 76er Jrue Holiday helped his team to a road win over the Boston Celtics in game two of the Eastern Conference semifinals Monday night at TD Garden. Holiday, a second-year player who spent just one season with UCLA back in 2008-09, played a game-high 41 minutes and led all scorers with 18 points on 4-of-6 shooting from behind the three-point line. Now tied a 1-1, the series returns to Philadelphia for game three this afternoon.

USC
The USC women’s tennis team will be competing in the Round of 16 at the NCAA Championships later this week. The Trojans survived the first two rounds of the tournament last week to reach the Round of 16 for the first time since the 2008 season. USC enters this weekend’s action as the No. 5 seed, and will face No. 12 Baylor in the opening round on Saturday. This year marks the 21st consecutive NCAA appearance for the Women of Troy, including seven national championships during that stretch.

Utah
Senior Anastasia Putilina of the Utah women’s tennis team was chosen at an All-Pac-12 honorable mention honoree, Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott announced last week. The Belgorod, Russia native, tallied a 5-5 record in No. 1 singles action during conference play, and will close out her collegiate career at the NCAA singles championships May 23-28 at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex in Athens, Ga.

Washington
The Washington Huskies defended their conference title at the Pac-12 Rowing Championships on Lake Natoma in Gold River, Calif., over the weekend. Washington remained undefeated on the season and took the team title for the third consecutive season. The Huskies swept the men’s races, taking the frosh/novice eight, varsity four, second varsity eight, and closed the regatta with a win in the varsity eight in 5:43.50.

Washington State
Washington State head coach Lisa Hart was honored as the Pac-12 women’s tennis coach of the year and junior Liudmila Vasilieva earned all-Pac-12 second team recognition, the conference announced late last week. Now in her ninth season at the Cougars helm, Hart led her team to a 19-6 record in 2012, which earned them a spot in the 2012 NCAA women’s tennis championship later this month. Vasilieva, a Yekaterinburg, Russia native, put together a 32-8 campaign to claim the second-most single-season wins in program history.

Texas DE sets official - Oregon [$$] (Rivals)

Source: Yahoo! NCAAF

Mailbag: Cougs' exciting 3-4 defense!

Source: Pac-12 Football Blog

We missed the mailbag Friday because we were bogged down in Pac-12 spring reviews, which you can see here. But here's a quick come-backer until Friday. By the way, you can follow the Pac-12 blog on Twitter here. Go Wazzu from Pullman, Wash., writes: I'm almost as excited for WSU to switch to the 3-4 defense as I am to see the Air Raid offense. When I think of 3-4 defense I immediately think of some of the best defenses in the NFL, Pittsburgh and Baltimore.

Autzen Zoo May 15 Pac 12 Baseball Weekend Recap

Source: Autzen Zoo by Mike Vamosi

Stanford and Kenny Diekroeger are now 14-10 after sweeping Washington State at home. Photo Credit: Bob Donnan-US PRESSWIRE

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Autzen Zoo May 15 Pac 12 Baseball Weekend Recap - Autzen Zoo - Autzen Zoo - An Oregon Ducks Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and more.

Huard: Ducks' chances at BCS title

Source: Pac-12 Football Blog

USC might be No. 1 in the College Football Live spring Top 25 rankings. But it's No. 4 Oregon that has the best chance to knock the SEC off its six-ringed mountain. So says ESPN college football analyst Brock Huard, who laid out three reasons (all extremely sound and logical) why Oregon is actually the team to beat in the Pac-12 this season. Here's a minor re-hash of his three points. Regarding the quarterback situation: Cam Newton and AJ McCarron won BCS titles the past two seasons as first-year starters under center.