Oregon baseball tabbed as regional host in latest tournament projections
What a difference a week makes.
After stumbling through the first two weeks of May, it appeared Oregon baseball’s hopes of hosting a regional in Eugene were all but over. But in a span of five days, the Ducks notched four top-25 wins and have catapulted themselves right back into the conversation to host.
At this point, it would appear their odds are quite good.
In its latest field of 64 projection, D1 Baseball projects Oregon will serve as the No. 13 seed and host a regional in Eugene. The publication has the Ducks facing No. 2-seeded Gonzaga, No. 3 NC State, and No. 4 UNLV.
The inclusion of Gonzaga there is key. At this time last week, the Zags were projected to host a regional in Spokane, with the Ducks featured as the No. 2 team there.
But Oregon beat Gonzaga in thrilling fashion in Eugene last Tuesday, marking the second time this season it has topped the No. 11-ranked Zags.
That, along with Oregon’s sweep of No. 25 Arizona in Eugene over the weekend, seems to have been enough the convince the D1Baseballstaff that the Ducks are a more worthy host than the Zags.
If D1Baseball’s predictions do indeed come true, it would set the stage for a potential showdown between Oregon and Oregon State in the super regionals. The Ducks and Beavers are paired regionally and would face off if they both advanced — likely in Corvallis, as the No. 4-ranked Beavers have a superior resume.
In addition to the Ducks and Beavers, three other Pac-12 teams are projected to make the tournament field.
Stanford is tabbed as a regional host and is projected to host a Palo Alto regional that would feature No. 2 UC Santa Barbara, No. 3 Ole Miss, and No. 4 Long Island.
UCLA has been tabbed as the No. 2 seed in the South Bend region, and Arizona is tabbed as the No. 3 seed in the Lousiville region.
Oregon will have a chance to further cement its status this week at the Pac-12 tournament in Scottsdale.
The Ducks are slated to face Arizona in the tournament opener at 9 a.m. Wednesday.
