I think it is pretty simple; Our Beloved Ducks win the series and have a high-probability chance of hosting a NCAA Baseball Regional. Anything less makes them a No. 2 Seed who travels.

The Trojans has an excellent pitching staff--regardless of who they trot out to the hill. Most would say theirs is slightly better than ours, and I agree with that, but we have the home field which is HUGE with so much on the line for both teams.

Oregon's usual Friday starter, Will Sanford, (the games were moved up to a Thursday-Saturday schedule this week) has had some rough outings lately, and we need him at his best tonight.

Where There is a Will...

...There is a Way?

I will be doing a lot of scoreboard watching tonight. Our Ducks are in a two-way tie with Purdue for 4th place in the conference standings. Although mathematically possible that Oregon could end up in 2nd place, they need to secure a top four finish in the regular season for an opening round bye in the Big tournament games.

The Ducks own the tie-breaker over Nebraska and Purdue, while Michigan has the tie-breaker over Oregon.

Twelve of the conference teams advance to the tournament, while five are eliminated. At this time, Maryland and Northwestern are eliminated, which means three more schools will be eliminated after this weeks games.

Games to follow this week-end:

Ohio St. at Michigan

Nebraska at Minnesota

Purdue at Iowa

Duck fans need to pull for Ohio St., Minnesota and Iowa.

0-0 after one inning. In the pregame interview, Coach Waz stated that he wanted Will Sanford to remain on a seven-day rest schedule, so Cal Scolari is tonight's starter. He was sick about three weeks ago, and has gradually worked his way back.

In this first inning--he allowed a walk at full-count, but struck out two with a fastball up to 97 mph, with a curve that drops to 81 mph. Looks sharp to start!

On offense...the Ducks stranded two on base!

1-0 USC after two innings. Oregon's Cal Scolari gave up two hits and they got a run off of it.

Mason Edwards, the Trojan pitcher throws really nasty stuff. Geez.

1-0 USC after three innings. Oregon's Cal Scolari put them down 1-2-3...

But the Ducks stranded two on base again!

1-0 USC after four innings. This is quite a pitching exhibition from both teams...

1-0 USC after five innings. Cal Scolari generated a grounder, and the double-play was sweet to watch from the infielders.

1-0 USC after six innings. Oregon reliever Toby Twist took over on the hill, and dispensed of the batters 1-2-3.

Their pitcher is pretty amazing, and has a dozen strikeouts!

1-0 USC after seven innings. Oregon's Toby Twist blew them away in another 1-2-3 inning.

And the Ducks strand two on base again. Gotta break through!

1-0 USC after eight innings. Tanner Bradley comes in to pitch for Our Beloved Ducks, and had bases loaded against him, but got out of it with a big strikeout.

Good gosh, the Trojan relievers are as good as the starter...damn.

The game is tied 1-1 after nine innings. Tanner Bradley came in again for a routine 1-2-3 inning for Our Beloved Ducks!

Naulivou Lauaki absolutely blasted a pitch WAY over the RF wall to tie it up!

To extra innings we go!

1-1 after ten innings. Oregon's Tanner Bradley put them down 1-2-3 again, but the superb reliever for USC did the same to us.

USC wins 2-1 in eleven innings. We gave up a solo homer, and then had our chances with bases loaded and one out...but their reliever got it done