The Oregon Ducks (no. 5 in the USA Today/NFCA Division I top 25 coaches poll) will face the Oregon State Beavers in a three-game series at OSU Softball Complex in Corvallis, Oregon.

The Ducks are coming off a week and a half of rest after a 2-1 series win against the no. 3 UCLA Bruins. Meanwhile, Oregon State is attempting to recover after being swept by the very same Bruins only a few days ago. Here’s how the Beavers have fared this season:

NON-CONFERENCE

The Beavers struggled against top competition early on, losing to no. 6 Georgia, no. 7 Tennessee, no. 10 Auburn, no. 18 Long Beach, no. 21 Louisiana, and no. 13 LSU twice. It’s worth noting that the Beavers have had no. 25 Oklahoma State’s number all season, beating them 8-2 in Tempe and then 4-2 in Palm Springs.

PAC-12 PLAY

Although conference play has just begun, the Beavers are hoping to change their current trajectory and gain some momentum after a disheartening start. Before the Bruins’ beatdown, the Beavers defeated the Golden Bears in a three-game series, sandwiching a 0-12 loss between a 10-5 and 8-3 win. If Oregon State hopes to remain competitive in what could be the nation’s best softball conference then they will need to take the civil war series.

SIX PAC-12 TEAMS MAKE TOP-25

The PAC-12 is making a strong showing in the world of college softball, with three teams in the top-5 and four in the top-10. Unfortunately, the top team in softball remains the Washington Huskies. Following close behind them are the no. 3 UCLA Bruins and the no. 5 Oregon Ducks.

No. 8 Arizona State has been the surprise of the conference, their most impressive moment being their victory over the University of Washington. The Sun Devils handed the Huskies their first and only loss of the season, and then beat them again a couple days later. The Sun Devils have leapfrogged their way to the head of the PAC-12 and look to build their resume against two non-conference foes, North Dakota State and BYU.

The no. 11 Arizona Wildcats and the no. 22 California Golden Bears are the last two teams from the conference of champions to crack the top-25. Obviously teams will begin to fall as conference play continues, but as of now, the west coast is the best coast.

CONFERENCE STANDINGS

(Record/Conference)

Arizona State (5-1-0/ 27-4-0) Washington (4-2-0/ 32-2-0) UCLA (4-2-0/ 28-2-0) Oregon (2-1-0/ 25-5-0) Arizona (3-3-0/ 24-6-0) Oregon State (2-4-0/ 19-13-0) Utah (2-4-0/ 17-12-0) Stanford (1-2-0/ 20-10-0) California (1-5-0/ 24-8-0)

Be sure to follow our Ducks take it to the Beavers this weekend!

March 29th, Thursday, 4PM PT, PAC-12 Network

March 30th, Friday, 3PM PT, PAC-12 Network

March 31st, Saturday, 3PM PT, PAC-12 Network