Oregon Ducks News: Steer blasts 3 for Reds, Liberty suffer rough road trip, Hampton dazzles at OT7

Pro Duck Spencer Steer belts three homers in Reds victory

Former Oregon third baseman Spencer Steer hit three home runs in Cincinnati's 8-1 win over the Padres Friday night. In his last six games, the fourth-year major leaguer is batting 12-for-23 with seven RBI.

From Millikan High in Long Beach, California, Steer starred for the Ducks from 2017-2019, chosen in the third round by the Minnesota Twins after his junior season. He earned All-PAC-12 honors as a junior, setting a school record for RBI in a career with 129 and leading the team in hitting with a .359 average.

So far he's Oregon's highest-drafted position player in the modern era of Duck baseball. In 2023 he became a full-time player for the Reds, leading the team in home runs with 23, also in games played, hits, doubles, walks and RBIs.

Steer established himself as a mainstay for the Reds with his versatility. He plays third base, first base and left field. Funny thing is, the Ducks originally recruited him as a pitcher.

He told Charlie Goldsmith of the Cincinnati Enquirer, "It's natural for me to do everything to try to win. I've never been the guy who feels entitled enough to say, 'This is my position.'"

"I've always enjoyed moving around. It was a no-brainer for me to just go with the flow and do whatever the team needs."

Liberty's struggles continue as New York drops third on the road

In Atlanta Sunday Sabrina Ionescu, Nyara Sabally and the WNBA defending champion New York Liberty lost 90-81 to the Flames.

That made three losses in four games for the champs on their current road swing, five losses in seven games since June 14.

They trailed 47-34 at halftime after going 0 for 10 from three-point range and 5 of 12 from the free throw line, never getting closer than 11 points. Sabally was held scoreless, attempting just two shots, while Ionescu went 5-15 from the field with five turnovers, still suffering from a stiff neck.

New York fell to 11-5 on the season, in first place in the Eastern Conference but third overall in the league.

Oregon Football Recruiting: Commits and targets dazzle at weekend competitions

Xavier Lherisse returned an interception for a touchdown, Messiah Hampton earned overall top player from Rival's John Garcia at the OT7 7-on-7 national championships in Florida.

Oregon target at cornerback Devin Jackson took second on the final day of the championships, showing his athleticism on this catch.

The Oregon class for 2026 isn't big, but it's full of insane athletic talent. This kind of spring and speed will ramp up practice and push the intensity. It raises the standard of competition in every drill and practice rep.

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