(Photo: Elaine Wilson/WCSN)
One thing is known going into the series between No. 5 Oregon and Arizona State: The Sun Devils will be heavy underdogs. The odds are stacked against the team from Tempe, and for good reason.
The disparity doesn’t just come from the numbers, because in a way that can be deceiving in this matchup. The Sun Devils have only lost five less games than the Ducks, and is it really that big of a difference between a team ERA of 2.40 vs. 3.35, or a team batting average of .366 vs. .324? You could argue not, but the real difference is the ability to win games against tough opponents.
In non-conference play ASU was able to cruise and held a spot in the top 20 for a good chunk of time. But now in Pac-12 competition the Sun Devils are just 3-9, and losers of their last six games. The Devils were swept at home against then-No. 10 Washington. However Oregon managed to get a sweep of its own against that same team, and did so on the road.
ASU’s pitching struggled the most against Washington giving up 25 runs in the series. When Oregon played the Huskies the staff allowed just 12 runs to come across in Seattle. This clearly shows the power and strength of the Ducks’ pitching staff.
Most of the innings are split in two for Megan Kleist and Cheridan Hawkins. Both have been equally impressive with ERAs in the low 2.00 range. That being said, the duo will come at you in different ways. Hawkins will attack you with the intent for a strikeout. She has 173 on the season, over a hundred more than Kleist in just 20 more innings. Kleist, though, has an even lower ERA than her senior counterpart.
The pitching seems daunting enough, but what Oregon is known for is its offense. It all starts with a deadly combination of Koral Costa and Nikki Udria who are the top two hitters in all of the Pac-12. Costa leads everyone batting .450, while Udria is just bellow her at .444 while also having 11 home runs. Combined the upperclassmen have driven 78 runs home. That seems fitting, given that Oregon leads the conference in runs scored.
All this makes Oregon a heavy favorite, but it doesn’t mean they are impenetrable. Three weekends ago the Ducks dropped a series to the then-No. 16 ranked UCLA Bruins. They lost two out of three to UCLA at home. ASU has yet to play the Bruins, but California played a close two game series against that ball club. They lost a game by one run in extra innings, and then tied in the second matchup. Remember, the Sun Devils took two out of three against the Golden Bears.
Last year an equally talented Oregon team swept ASU with ease. If the Sun Devils’ play keeps up there will likely be a similar result this weekend.
