Raise your hand if you expected an Oregon-Arizona final in the Pac-12 baseball tournament in Scottsdale, Ariz.
There would most likely be very few hands raised because these two teams weren’t exactly hitting on all cylinders coming into this tourney. Oregon was a 6-seed and Arizona was an 8-seed for a reason.
The Ducks were losers of five of their last seven, including being swept at home by Washington, the team they just defeated 12-7 in the semifinals. If Oregon hadn’t won its last two games over last-place Utah, this might be a very different article.
As for the Wildcats, they entered the Pac-12 tournament with a losing conference record of 12-18. But with the way they have pounded the baseball over the course of this week, that record probably should be flipped to 18-12.
Arizona had a tough month of April with the month ending with a sweep to the Beavers in Corvallis. But once the calendar flipped over and the weather became warmer, the Wildcats’ bats heated up at well. That 21-20 win at Stanford should have been an indication of what the Wildcats had in store for the tournament.
They’ve scored in double figures in each of the Wildcats’ three games, including the 14-4 win over the Cardinal in the semifinals.
Oregon and Arizona are not strangers to one another. The Ducks went down to Tucson in early April and swept away the Wildcats. Jacob Walsh earned Pac-12 Player of the Week after that series.
But these two teams are very different now than they were almost two months ago. Here are a few things to look out for in tonight’s title game.
First to 21 wins?
With how the offenses are exploding in this tournament, seeing a team score that much isn’t as far-fetched as it would seem. Of the nine games in pool play, teams scored in double figures eight times and Arizona has scored over 10 runs in each one of its four games.
Ironically, even with their recent pitching struggles, the Ducks were involved in the only pitching duel of the tournament with their 3-2 win over Cal in the opening game.
Bullpens better come to play
Considering the ballpark and conditions the tournament has, the Ducks pitching staff has held up quite well. Scottsdale Stadium is college baseball’s version of Coors Field. A big park with a high elevation and the ball flys out. With the huge outfield, it also lends to a lot of bloop singles with runners going from first to third with ease.
Oregon’s pitching staff has struggled in recent weeks, but it has held its own in this tournament. The Ducks haven’t allowed many big innings that the offense can’t overcome. It’s a good sign for tonight and in the NCAA tournament as well.
Washington was threatening to break through on the Duck bullpen with five runs in an inning, but reliever Grayson Grinsell put all of that to a screeching halt. The left-hander shut down the Huskies for 3 2/3 innings to help Oregon defeat its rival from the north.
Arizona’s bullpen, however, should be rested and ready to go. Starter Bradon Zastrow threw a seven-inning complete game in the 14-4 win over the Cardinal. The Wildcats should have advantage on the mound where fresh arms are concerned.
Big boppers could have big nights
For the tournament, Oregon third baseman Sabin Ceballos is 5-for-15 (.333) with two home runs and seven runs batted in. He has a knack for getting the big hits just when the Ducks need them. His home run in the 10th inning gave Oregon the 7-6 lead over Stanford and it eventually won that contest.
Then he almost single-handedly defeated the Huskies with his bat with those six RBIs. Arizona will need to make sure someone other than Ceballos beat them in the title game.
The Wildcats have plenty of power behind them as well. Chase Davis has gone 6-for-14 with two homers and 12 RBI. If Oregon want to come home with its first Pac-12 tournament title, the Ducks will need to keep Davis off the bases.
What's on the line?
The answer is different for the two teams.
For Oregon, a win would give the Ducks their first ever Pac-12 title in baseball. Although hosting a regional in the NCAA tournament probably isn’t in the cards, the case would be strengthened with four straight wins in Scottsdale. Where ever they do end up, Oregon would be a 2-seed in its regional site.
For Arizona, a win or loss might mean making the NCAA tournament or not. The Wildcats are squarely on the bubble at 33-23 overall. Defeating Stanford twice in the last two weeks and sweeping USC definitely helps. But that 12-18 conference record could be the pin that pops that bubble should they lose to the Ducks tonight.
How to watch
This is one question we can answer now.
Television
ESPN2
7 pm PST
Scottsdale, Ariz.
Radio
Oregon Sports Network
KUGN AM 590, Eugene
KFXX-AM 1080, Portland
TuneIn.com
Sirius: 133
XM: 197
Play-by-Play: Joey McMurry
