While the Oregon Ducks may have seen their eight-game winning streak come to an end in a series-finale loss in extra innings to Northwestern on Sunday, the Ducks are continuing to rise in the rankings.
The latest USA TODAY Sports baseball coaches poll saw the Ducks move up two spots to No. 17 after taking two games from the Wildcats over the weekend. Oregon broke into all five major polls last weekend and remains ranked in each poll this week. The Ducks’ highest ranking is No. 13 from Perfect Game.
Oregon swung the bats well this weekend against Northwestern, scoring a season-high 20 runs on Friday and outscoring the Wildcats 36-21 in the series. The Ducks improved to 19-4 on the season and 7-2 in Big Ten play.
The Ducks also got strong pitching performances from starters Will Sanford and Collin Clarke in the first two wins of the series. Sanford allowed just one hit and one run over five innings and picked up eight strikeouts. Meanwhile, Clarke went seven innings for the third consecutive start and punched out 10 Wildcats in the process, matching a career-high.
After a long eight-game homestand, the Ducks will hit the road this week. First, a two-game midweek tilt at UC San Diego, followed by a three-game weekend series at UC Santa Barbara, which received two votes to be ranked in the coaches poll. After a brief trip home for one game against Portland, the Ducks will leave for another weekend series at Michigan.
Oregon won’t begin another home series until April 10, so the upcoming road schedule will be a big test for the young Ducks’ lineup and bullpen. They could also be without star shortstop Maddox Molony for some of those games after he left Sunday’s loss early with an injury after being hit by a pitch.
The Ducks still have several ranked foes remaining on the schedule. Two games against No. 14 Oregon State, a road series at No. 1 UCLA and a home series to end the season vs. No. 10 USC await the Ducks later this season.
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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Oregon baseball jumps two spots in coaches poll
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