St. Mary's @ Oregon (Ducks win series 2-1)

[oregontrack]

i'm new to college baseball. is it normal for a top 15 team to drop three games like that to start the season? is it like mlb where even good teams don't win a high percentage of games?

Yeah, it's normal. There's always an "upper tier" of 5-6 teams that could realistically play a lesser team and win 10/10 times, but honestly, there's not a *ton* of differences between teams #10-125 nationally. Some are better than others, of course, but just about anyone can beat anyone with one solid starting pitching performance. Oregon's trouble has been a lack of clutch hitting due in part to our best hitter being out/lots of freshmen in the line-up, and a shaky 'pen. Over the long hall, that stuff'll get out worked out and our starting pitching is already in place (and that tends to be the hardest part find).

[oregontrack]

1-0 Ducks, bot 2. Alto hit a sac fly to score Healy. Christian Jones with two good innings to start.

[oregontrack]

2-0 Ducks, bot 2.

Catcher tried to pick Hoffman off at first, 1B misplayed the ball, Kuresa comes home from third.

[dthomas=ddixon]

Jones looking good so far. Which is encouraging, Horton was really high on him before the start of last season. Thought he could be the best of the group.

[oregontrack]

Indeed, Jones won the #2 job behind Anderson last year as a true frosh, ahead of LaTempa, Kuedell, and Thornton. He's got a couple really dynamite pitches, just needs the reps.

[oregontrack]

I think Prowitz just diagnosed Jones pretty well, he runs into trouble when he gets into his own head and goes for perfection, pitching around hitters, but when he's attacking his stuff is great. Aggressive Jones = unhittable Jones.

He just worked himself out of a bases loaded jam doing just that.

[oregontrack]

3-0 Ducks, bot 3.

Bunt single on a safety squeeze by Hambright.

[dthomas=ddixon]

Yeah if he can keep that mentality pitching we're gonna have a ridiculous staff this year. Anderson, Boer, Jones & Kuedell. That will get us really far.

[oregontrack]

Gotta also agree with Jerry on our offense, there are no holes in the line-up. Not much pop, mind you, but no holes and everybody can put the ball in play. Once Serna comes back and the weather warms up scoring shouldn't be the problem that is right now.

[oregontrack]

3-1 Ducks, bot 7. Jones strikes out 3 in his half of the 7th, still going strong. Jerry and Prowitz seem to think that'll be it for him, though.

[oregontrack]

Jones: 12 K's in 7 IP. Damn.

[cordy02c]

ducks win 3-2

[oregontrack]

Big win today, the next week is tough:

Portland
@ Long Beach State
@ Long Beach State
@ Long Beach State
@ Oregon State

[greenyellow]

Jones: 12 K's in 7 IP. Damn.

Not bad for someone who only has a little over 10 career starts.

[oregontrack]

Hell, that was only Jones' third career start.