Viewer - Oregon Ducks prepare for Super Regional

Oregon Ducks prepare for Super Regional

Monday June 4, 2012

12:01

The Oregonian:

Hello and welcome to the live chat. We're waiting for Aaron. Meantime, get your questions in. ...

Monday June 4, 2012 12:01 The Oregonian

12:04

[Comment From MikeHMikeH: ]

At first I was excited about the prospect of playing a 3 seed for the chance to go to omaha. However, I see that kent state has won 21 games in a row with their last loss on April 25th. That's pretty hard to do. How does this matchup look to you?

Monday June 4, 2012 12:04 MikeH

12:04

Aaron Fentress:

I made it.

Monday June 4, 2012 12:04 Aaron Fentress

12:05

The Oregonian:

Yaay!. First question is on the board, Aaron, with two waiting. ...

Monday June 4, 2012 12:05 The Oregonian

12:07

Aaron Fentress:

MikeH .... The Flashes won't be pushovers. They have three good starting pitchers, a deep bullpen and a strong lineup. But they played in an inferior conference. However, Kent State just took down Kentucky and Purdue. I'd say UO is the favorite but Kent State is a solid club.

Monday June 4, 2012 12:07 Aaron Fentress

12:07

[Comment From MikeHMikeH: ]

Pk was rocking Friday and Saturday. Did the team have anything to say about the environment?

Monday June 4, 2012 12:07 MikeH

12:08

Aaron Fentress:

Yes, Horton said the crowd becoming more vocal at the end of close games and doing the same chants they do at FB and BK games got the team going. Home field advantage helped over the weekend.

Monday June 4, 2012 12:08 Aaron Fentress

12:09

[Comment From RyanRyan: ]

Aaron, Kent State enters this game on an impressive run. How much does playing at home really matter at this point? If there's an edge, who do you give it to this weekend?

Monday June 4, 2012 12:09 Ryan

12:10

Aaron Fentress:

Ryan .... Playing at home always helps but it never assures a victory. Kent State is red hot right now and its victories over the weekend were far more impressive than Oregon's. But the Ducks have a better pitching staff and play better defense than both Kentucky and Purdue.

Monday June 4, 2012 12:10 Aaron Fentress

12:10

[Comment From MikeHMikeH: ]

Do you think a jones getting plunked 3 times last night was intentional? Looked that way to me

Monday June 4, 2012 12:10 MikeH

12:11

Aaron Fentress:

MikeH ... don't know. AP had control issues all day. Walked 7 guys. Hit 5. The team has pitching depth issues and it showed on Sunday.

Monday June 4, 2012 12:11 Aaron Fentress

12:11

[Comment From RyanRyan: ]

Will small-ball come into play this weekend?

Monday June 4, 2012 12:11 Ryan

12:12

Aaron Fentress:

Ryan .... If it doesn't, Oregon's season will end this weekend.
That is what Oregon does. It puts the ball in play and hopes the opposing team trips over itself trying to handle it. Austin Peay certainly did that on Friday. But that's a big part of the game and Oregon is an elite fielding team.

Monday June 4, 2012 12:12 Aaron Fentress

12:12

[Comment From GuestGuest: ]

Are the Ducks finally at full strength? Meaning healthy. They had been pretty banged up all year and still had an awesome regular season. If they are how much does that factor into this series, and if we advance, the CWS in Omaha? One more, are the super-regionals going to be televised at all?

Monday June 4, 2012 12:12 Guest

12:14

Aaron Fentress:

Guest ... outfielder Brett Thomas returned from a hamstring injury to help the Ducks offense. Pitcher Brando Tessar remains injured. Other that, the Ducks are healthy.

Monday June 4, 2012 12:14 Aaron Fentress

12:14

Aaron Fentress:

Guest ..... the Super Regionals should be televised.

Monday June 4, 2012 12:14 Aaron Fentress

12:14

[Comment From philphil: ]

Does anybody know if OSN wil be able to have the games?

Monday June 4, 2012 12:14 phil

12:14

[Comment From MikeTMikeT: ]

Any more news on what Carson Kelly might do should he get drafted as high as most are predicting?

Monday June 4, 2012 12:14 MikeT

12:15

Aaron Fentress:

MikeT .... I have not delved into that much but will in the weeks following the draft. I think like with any kid, if the money is right he will take it.

Monday June 4, 2012 12:15 Aaron Fentress

12:16

[Comment From JohnJohn: ]

Will these games be broadcast, if so where?

Monday June 4, 2012 12:16 John

12:17

Aaron Fentress:

John .... Yes. I believe so. Not sure where, yet.

Monday June 4, 2012 12:17 Aaron Fentress

12:17

[Comment From GuestGuest: ]

Good to hear about the crowd. Always seemed like a very quite ball park especially at a school known for having loud fans...

Monday June 4, 2012 12:17 Guest

12:18

[Comment From MikeHMikeH: ]

I saw where the series might actually start Saturday. If so, would game 3 be on Monday (if necessary) or would they play 2 on Sunday. (some of us need to ask for time off)

Monday June 4, 2012 12:18 MikeH

12:18

Aaron Fentress:

Guest .... baseball doesn't seem to typically inspire loud crowds. It's such a slow paced game with tons of delays in action. But playoff situations can be different.

Monday June 4, 2012 12:18 Aaron Fentress

12:19

Aaron Fentress:

MikeH ....Could be Friday-Saturday-Sunday, or Saturday-Sunday-Monday. Dates and times to be announced. We'll know tonight.

Monday June 4, 2012 12:19 Aaron Fentress

12:19

[Comment From ChrisChris: ]

What should the rotation look like for this series?

Monday June 4, 2012 12:19 Chris

12:20

Aaron Fentress:

Chris... The Ducks are expected to return to their normal rotation of Keudell-Reed-Gold for this series.

They tweaked that last week because they were going to face multiple opponents with different strengths. Now they are back to facing the same team three times.

Monday June 4, 2012 12:20 Aaron Fentress

12:20

[Comment From JBJB: ]

With 4 teams from the Pac-12 into the Super Regionals, the Ducks RPI & national seeding seems justified does it not?

Monday June 4, 2012 12:20 JB

12:21

Aaron Fentress:

JB ... The SEC and Pac-12 are the best two conferences in the nation. One could argue seeding all day long. But Oregon went 4-1 against ranked teams from its conference. They have an elite pitching staff and play elite defense. The offense is below average. Two out three ain't bad. lol

Monday June 4, 2012 12:21 Aaron Fentress

12:21

[Comment From philphil: ]

Is there a closer radio station broadcasting. I live in salem.

Monday June 4, 2012 12:21 phil

12:24

Aaron Fentress:

phil ... closer than Eugene?

Monday June 4, 2012 12:24 Aaron Fentress

12:24

[Comment From MikeHMikeH: ]

The 9th innings on Friday and Saturday felt like a football game to me (on a smaller scale obviously). Just wanted to say nice work duck fans!

Monday June 4, 2012 12:24 MikeH

12:24

[Comment From MikeHMikeH: ]

Phil can listen online to the Eugene radio station broadcast, I live in Salem and listen on my iphone

Monday June 4, 2012 12:24 MikeH

12:26

The Oregonian:

More question?

Monday June 4, 2012 12:26 The Oregonian

12:28

The Oregonian:

OK, one from me: Strengths of Kent State?

Monday June 4, 2012 12:28 The Oregonian

12:29

Aaron Fentress:

The Golden Flashes can hit. Their season batting average is .306 with 42 home runs. They are averaging 6.9 runs per game. Four players are batting .339 or better, led by George Roberts (.369, seven home runs, 62 RBI). David Lyon leads the team with 10 home runs and is batting .284.

The pitching staff has a strong ERA of 3.48. David Starn will present a challenge for the light-hitting Ducks. He’s 10-3 with a 2.01 ERA and has 118 strikeouts in 107 2/3 innings and has walked just 38 batters.

Ryan Bores 9-2 with a 3.29 ERA. He has struck out 63 batters over 98 1/3 innings with just 15 walks. Tyler Skulina is 11-2 with a 3.84 ERA. He has 93 strikeouts in 96 innings with 38 walks.

The bullpen is seven deep with pitchers that have ERAs 3.77 or lower.

Monday June 4, 2012 12:29 Aaron Fentress

12:29

The Oregonian:

Where is Oregon vulnerable?

Monday June 4, 2012 12:29 The Oregonian

12:30

Aaron Fentress:

Kent State fans are flipping out over me calling them the Kent State Eagles when their mascot is an Eagle.

But, alas, they are the Kent State Flashes. My mistake. But get over it, already.

Monday June 4, 2012 12:30 Aaron Fentress

12:31

[Comment From MikeHMikeH: ]

I would love to see a packed house this weekend. I got my tickets to all 3 games. Any word on how ticket sales are going? Looks like the weather isn't going to cooperate

Monday June 4, 2012 12:31 MikeH

12:31

Aaron Fentress:

MikeH .... no word on sales, yet. But I'm sure they should do okay. PK needs a retractable roof.

Monday June 4, 2012 12:31 Aaron Fentress

12:32

[Comment From MikeHMikeH: ]

Those numbers are impressive, but how is their competition? I know nothing about their conference

Monday June 4, 2012 12:32 MikeH

12:32

Aaron Fentress:

Anyone else out there annoyed by that darn dancing chicken?

Monday June 4, 2012 12:32 Aaron Fentress

12:32

Aaron Fentress:

MikeH .... It's a mid-major not on par with the Pac-12. But the FLASHES did just whip Kentucky and Purdue.

Monday June 4, 2012 12:32 Aaron Fentress

12:33

[Comment From MikeHMikeH: ]

Techno chicken is awesome. You're crazy

Monday June 4, 2012 12:33 MikeH

12:34

[Comment From mike hanchomike hancho: ]

what times are the games this coming weekend?

Monday June 4, 2012 12:34 mike hancho

12:34

Aaron Fentress:

MikeH .... man, I feel like my head is going to explode when that chicken hits the screen. And why isn't it a Duck? They couldn't train a Duck to dance, or what?

Monday June 4, 2012 12:34 Aaron Fentress

12:34

Aaron Fentress:

hancho ... Dates and times to be announced tonight.

Monday June 4, 2012 12:34 Aaron Fentress

12:35

The Oregonian:

Keep the questions coming. We have Aaron for about 10 more minutes. ..

Monday June 4, 2012 12:35 The Oregonian

12:36

[Comment From MikeHMikeH: ]

They lost series' this year to peeperdine

Monday June 4, 2012 12:36 MikeH

12:37

[Comment From MikeHMikeH: ]

They lost series to peeperdine And Fresno state, beat Georgia tech ....those are the only tournament teams they played in the regular season from what I can tell. Thoughts?

Monday June 4, 2012 12:37 MikeH

12:37

[Comment From Chicken ManChicken Man: ]

When the ducks make it to CWS how are teams matched?

Monday June 4, 2012 12:37 Chicken Man

12:37

Aaron Fentress:

MikeH ... yes, but Pepperdine is a ranked program.

Monday June 4, 2012 12:37 Aaron Fentress

12:38

Aaron Fentress:

Chicken Man .... I believe they are reseeded.

Monday June 4, 2012 12:38 Aaron Fentress

12:39

[Comment From DmacDmac: ]

What time are the games?

Monday June 4, 2012 12:39 Dmac

12:39

[Comment From AndrewAndrew: ]

How high does a prospect need to be drafted in order to pass up college? Will a guy that's taken in the 10th round feel like he can improve his stock in college? The Ducks seems to have a lot of incoming players in this situation.

Monday June 4, 2012 12:39 Andrew

12:39

The Oregonian:

Dmac, date and times to be announced later tonight.

Monday June 4, 2012 12:39 The Oregonian

12:40

Aaron Fentress:

Andrew ... all about the money.

Monday June 4, 2012 12:40 Aaron Fentress

12:41

[Comment From Marvin HMarvin H: ]

Reseeded according to RPI?

Monday June 4, 2012 12:41 Marvin H

12:41

Aaron Fentress:

Andrew .... a player with a college scholarship in hand has more leverage and can command more cash. If the team meets his price, he's gone. Simple as that.

Monday June 4, 2012 12:41 Aaron Fentress

12:42

Aaron Fentress:

Marvin H ..... I honestly don't know but probably according to the national seeds to enter the tournament. So, not reseeded just slotted based on seed. But their current brackets don't feed into a bracket in Omaha.

Monday June 4, 2012 12:42 Aaron Fentress

12:42

The Oregonian:

This is the last question:

Monday June 4, 2012 12:42 The Oregonian

12:42

[Comment From Marvin HMarvin H: ]

Does anyone know how well attended the Regional Games were? I went Saturday and the stands looked good but couldn't tell from the radio broadcasts how the rest of the games were attended.

Monday June 4, 2012 12:42 Marvin H

12:42

Aaron Fentress:

Baseball bracket here...

http://www.ncaa.com/brackets/baseball/d1

Monday June 4, 2012 12:42 Aaron Fentress

12:43

Aaron Fentress:

Marvin H ... the Oregon games?

Monday June 4, 2012 12:43 Aaron Fentress

12:43

[Comment From Marvin HMarvin H: ]

Yes