The Oregon Ducks(34-7, 9-3 Pac-12) host a Top 5 Matchup at Jane Sanders Stadium on Thursday afternoon vs the Oklahoma Sooners(39-2, 12-0 Big 12).
As a program, Oregon Softball is pushing toward being elite. Last season, Oregon was fortunate to schedule Florida State at home. The Ducks returned the favor earlier this season. Entering 2018, Head Coach Mike White saw an opportunity. Oklahoma was traveling west to visit Oregon State. He was able to swing the Sooners to Eugene for a single game Thursday between to powerhouses of Softball this season.
The Oregon Ducks took two of three games at Arizona State over the weekend and dipped a spot to number five in the rankings. The Sooners have just two losses on the season and enter the game at 39-2. Last season, Oregon took care of business against Florida State. Oklahoma is riding a 30 game winning streak.
While the Sooners are hitting at .339 this season, Head Coach Mike White earlier this week said it will be likely that Megan Kleist will be in the circle. However, White has his eye on the bigger picture. Conference games are still more important than a non-conference matchup, even if it is a single game against a Top 5 opponent.
The Oregon Ducks have all the tools to show they can compete at the highest level. For some players who remember that Oklahoma was the team that knocked the Ducks out of the College World Series last season, that competition may burn a little hotter.
For Softball, Oklahoma coming to Jane Sanders Stadium would be like Ohio State or Alabama visiting the Ducks at Autzen. While it may be a win the moment, the long run is more important. I’m sure that fans of Oregon Softball also realize where the Women’s College World Series is held and Oregon will likely see the Sooners again sooner rather than later.
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First pitch between Oregon and Oklahoma is set for 4 pm Pacific Time at Jane Sanders Stadium. The game will be broadcast on Pac-12 Network.