Breaking: Oregon baseball head coach Mark Wasikowski recently announced his retirement. Because of…
The Oregon Ducks baseball team hasn’t made it to the College World Series in Omaha in almost 70 years. Mark Wasikowski has led the Oregon baseball team into the NCAA Tournament for an incredible four seasons running during his seven seasons as the program’s head coach.
In the best-of-three Super Regional series, where the victor will punch a ticket to Omaha for the Men’s College World Series, the fervent Eugene community and Ducks supporters worldwide will be rooting for Oregon to upset the No. 3 Texas A&M Aggies.
Perhaps the Oregon football squad will have more supporters for the ball club than anyone else.
Bruce Boettcher, an outfielder and slugger for the Ducks, is a two-sport athlete who participated in every game of the Oregon football team’s 14th season. The Eugene native is a darling among fans and teammates alike. During a football team breakfast on Tuesday morning, Boettcher’s football teammates gathered around him and wished him luck in the Super Regionals.
Before leaving for College Station, Texas, Boettcher gave Oregon coach Dan Lanning’s message.
“Best of luck. The work is not yet done. Win the Super, of course, but the real objective is to take home the National Championship. Keep in mind that the work is not yet done.
This season, the College Station Super Regional is a stop on Oregon’s route to Omaha.The Ducks and Aggies will square off at Olsen Field at Blue Bell Park, one of the most hostile college baseball stadiums in the nation.
Despite participating in the NCAA Tournament eleven times, including the last four years in a row, the Oregon baseball team has not advanced to the College World Series since 1954.
“Making the College World Series would undoubtedly be a lifetime dream come true,” Boettcher said to Bri Amaranthus of Oregon SI. “Obviously, the super must come first, but that’s the next stage. I believe that the team’s mentality is uniform. Getting that completed would mean the world to my family and the entire Eugene community. Thus, I’m excited about it.
