Oregon Ducks
Overall Rank: #16
Conference Rank: #7 PAC-12
Oregon Team Page
The Oregon Ducks head into 2012 after making their second Super Regional appearance in program history. Third year Head Coach Mike White brings back 12 letter winners for competition in the very difficult PAC-12. The Ducks bring back 54 of 2011’s home runs from a team that was ranked 14th nationally in bombs per game. Thirteen of their non-conference games are against 2011 NCAA Tournament teams, four who reached the WCWS. Along with their PAC-12 contests, the Ducks will square off against teams that made the tournament 31 times including six of last year’s WCWS qualifiers.
2011: 42-16, 11-10
2011 Postseason: NCAA
Coach: Mike White, 3rd Season
Field Players:
Sophomore leadoff hitter Courtney Ceo hit .356 during the regular season and in conference play in 2011. The infielder also hit five home runs, stole 14 bases and was named to the Conference All-Freshman Team. Catcher Alexa Peterson was also named to the All-Freshman Team. Peterson was the third leading hitter for the Ducks hitting .344 with five home runs. Senior Kelsey Chambers hit just .241 last season, but led Oregon with 13 round trippers, five in conference play. Junior outfielder Samantha Pappas hit .289 with eight home runs, driving in 31, second most for the Ducks.
Pitchers:
All-Region, All PAC-10 selectee Jessica Moore won 24 games last spring, posting a 1.09 ERA. The junior struck out 224, the second most in a single season at Oregon. Senior Sam Skillingstad also returns after going 9-3 with a 2.31 ERA, fanning 109. Newcomer Karissa Hovinga will work to fill the shoes of Brittany Rumfelt who graduated and Mikayla Endicott who transferred to Ohio St. Hovinga pitched for the Canadian National Team, was All-State in Nebraska where, as a senior, she was 25-4, struck out 285, led Papillion High School to a State Championship and recorded a 0.38 season ERA.
Who to Watch:
Oregon brings in a talented group of freshmen for the 2012 Season. Among the newcomers are outfielder Alyssa Gillespie, outfielder Sara Goodman and High School All-American Janie Takeda. Gillespie hit .528 and was the 2011 Oregon Player of the Year. Goodrum helped Red Mountain High to an Arizona State Championship, hit .447 and drove in 28.
Final Projection:
The Oregon Ducks are going in the right direction. The lineup returns much of its power in Chamber and Pappas and speed in the legs of Ceo and Burger. With Moore poised to improve on a 24 win season, and Skillingstad and freshman Hovinga in support, the Ducks will be very competitive in PAC-12 competition. Look for Oregon to have a top 20 ranking all season, make the NCAA tournament and have a good chance to reach a Super Regional for the third year in a row.
Projected Postseason: NCAA
Returning Leaders:
At Bats: Courtney Ceo, IF, 180
Hits: Courtney Ceo, IF, 64
Home Runs: Kelsey Chambers, IF, 13
RBIs: Samantha Pappas, OF, 31
Runs: Courtney Ceo, IF, 41
Stolen Bases: Samantha Pappas, OF, 16
Wins: Jessica Moore, P, 24
Innings Pitched: Jessica Moore, P, 206.2
Strikeouts: Jessica Moore, P, 224
Saves: Jessica Moore, P, 3
Madness 2012 Softball Recruit Rankings:
#31 Janette Takeda
