Freshman bats boomed and starting pitchers dealt as Oregon swept George Mason in four games to open the season at PK Park.
The Ducks (4-0) outscored the Patriots 45-12 in a series that included a Saturday doubleheader.
Defeating George Mason isn’t a crowning achievement for a program with grand goals after last season’s Eugene Regional collapse, but it’s a promising start for a team loaded with enough talent to return to the postseason.
“Happy to come out on top four times this weekend,” Oregon coach Mark Wasikowski told reporters.
Oregon won 6-2 on Friday, 14-5 and 14-4 in Saturday’s doubleheader, and 11-1 on Sunday.
FRESHMAN BATS SHINE
Outfielder Angel Laya and 6-foot-6 catcher Brayden Jaksa made immediate impacts in their first outings as freshmen.
Wasikowski, who recalled struggling at the plate early during his freshman season at Southeast Missouri, praised both freshmen for their hot starts.
“It’s not a surprise,” Wasikowski said. “They’re both really talented and skilled players. And they‘re fun to be around.”
Laya, named Big Ten Freshman of the Week, batted .538 with two home runs and four RBI.
Jaksa, who hit .556 and belted a home run and two doubles, is an imposing figure behind the plate.
“It’s a little intimidating when you’re walking down to the dugout and you’re looking up at a guy that you’re throwing to,” Pitcher Ryan Featherstone told reporters.
DREW SMITH ON FIRE
Senior Drew Smith, who last season batted .313 with 25 RBI while limited to 37 games by injuries, erupted for 11 RBI off six hits in the series.
His two homers came during Saturday’s doubleheader. The first, a grand slam in the second inning of the first game, put the Ducks up 9-0. They won 14-5.
STARTERS ROLL
Oregon’s four starters, Featherstone, Will Sanford, Cal Scolari and Collin Clarke combined to allow two earned runs over 21 innings.
Featherstone made his first career start in Sunday’s 11-1, after making 37 appearances over two seasons as a reliever.
He allowed two hits over six innings and struck out five.
JACK BROOKS
Senior utility Jack Brooks, who has bided his time for a featured role, went 5 for 12 at the plate (.417).
“We knew what kind of player he was last year, even though he didn’t play a whole lot,” Wasikowski said. “We knew he could be an elite player for us this year and he’s starting to show that a little bit.”
THE WEEK AHEAD
The Ducks begin a four-game home series against Youngstown State (0-3) at 3 p.m. on Thursday. The series continues at 3 p.m. on Friday and at noon on both Saturday and Sunday.
No. 9 Auburn swept the Penguins in a three-game series last weekend.