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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (April 7, 2005)
‘You live and leam, and unfortunately I learned the hard way today. ” Oregon’s Amy Harris after giving up back-to-back solo home runs in the Ducks’ 2-1 loss to No. 13 Oregon State on Wednesday ■ In my opinion ION ROETMAN ROUGHING THE PASSER Many Ducks are stirring up attention this spring The Oregon football team is three practices into its spring schedule, and the performance of several players has drawn attention. The Ducks are learning a new system under their new offensive coordinator Gary Crowton and have several young players who are look ing to step up and earn starting roles. Defensively, Oregon needs to improve on stopping the pass and replace four starters among its front seven. Here is a look at several athletes whose play has created or will attract attention during the spring: Offense Kellen Clemens — The senior quarterback has looked sharp despite digesting a new playbook. His throws are consistently on the money, and he is clearly the best passer of the five signal callers who are practicing. Clemens will also get to show off his deceptive running skills next season as Crowton’s offense fea tures several variations of the option. Demetrius Williams — The senior wide re ceiver is finally healthy after spending most of last season hindered by injury. When at full strength, Williams is one of the bigges playmakers in the Pacific-10 Conference. I appears he will get plenty of chances to make things happen next season as the De La Salle High School product has been running crisp routes in practice, has been used as an op tion pitchman and has gotten several carries on reverses. Geoff Schwartz — The sophomore has been getting reps with the first team at right tackle and has been holding his own. The Los Angeles native saw limited action during his freshman campaign, but at 6-foot-7 and 351 pounds, Schwartz has the size and ability to start on a line that lost four seniors. Terrell Jackson — The redshirt freshman run ning back came in as a highly touted recruit last season from Centennial High School in Corona, Calif. While nobody can argue the talents of the 5-foot-9 speedster, it is unknown how Jackson fits into Oregon’s plans. With the emergence of sen ior Terrence Whitehead as a 1,000-yard back and the arrival of blue-chip recruit Jonathan Stewart in the fall, Jackson will struggle to see the field. Jackson has looked solid during spring practice but had a key fumble during a team drill on Tuesday that angered head coach Mike Bellotti. Jackson has also practiced as a kick returner. Palauni Ma Sun — The junior college trans fer is an imposing figure at the guard position. At 6-foot-5 and 365 pounds, he has the size and reach to be an effective blocker. The Waipahu, Hawaii, native has struggled with technique, however, and will have to improve for a chance at a starting position. Defense Haloti Ngata — An absolute stud when healthy, the junior defensive tackle will anchor a line that needs to come up with a more effec tive pass rush. When Ngata has gone full ROETMAN, page 9 ■ Duck softball OSU uses 2 home runs to beat UO Brianne McGowan throws a one-hitter for the Beavers to hold off the Ducks, 2-1 BY CLAYTON JONES SPORTS EDITOR CORVALLIS — Two swings of the bat was all it took for 13th-ranked Oregon State to take down in-state rival No. 25 Oregon on Wednesday and push its winning streak to 19 games. Behind back-to-back home runs by Lisa Allen and Sherina Galvan in the fifth inning and pitcher Brianne McGowan’s one-hitter, the Beavers (25-6 overall, 4-0 Pacific-10 Con ference) defeated the Ducks 2-1 at the OSU Softball Complex. The Ducks (22-11,2-2) took a 1-0 lead into the fifth inning with Oregon pitcher Amy Harris having only given up one hit. With one out, Allen drove a ball to deep right-cen ter field, and before any of the Duck outfield ers could get to it, it ricocheted off the top of the fence and bounced over to tie the game, it was the catcher’s sixth home run of the season. Next up for the Beavers was Galvan, who up to this point hadn’t hit a home run all season and struck out looking in her first plate appearance. She hit a 1-2 rise ball to deep center field that barely glided over the fence to give the Beavers a lead they wouldn’t relinquish. The sophomore third baseman said she was starting to get a good read on what Har ris was throwing. “My first at-bat I was seeing the ball Wendy Vollmer | The Daily Barometer Oregon’s Lovena Chaput drives a double into the left-center field gap, scoring Breanne Sabol and giving the Ducks their only hit and run of the game Wednesday in a loss to Oregon State in Corvallis. good,” the Moreno Valley, Calif., native said. “My second at-bat I was definitely seeing the ball well, and I was ready. It was a rise ball, and I was already going for it, and I knew I had to just keep my hands up. I went with the pitch, and it worked out.” After the homers, the Beavers’ pitcher Mc Gowan felt relieved. “That whole run was my fault so I felt bad for putting the team behind like that,” she said. “I thought, ‘Great, we are back in this,’ and then (Sherina) comes up with another one, her first of the year.” McGowan did the rest for the Beavers. SOFTBALL, page 10 ■ Men's track _I Geoff Thurnkr | Oregon Media Services Oregon freshman distance runner Galen Rupp,seen here at the 2005 USA Cross Country Champi onships in Vancouver, Wash., started practice with Oregon teammates Monday. Heralded newcomer mns with Ducks Distance runner and Portland native Galen Rupp works out for the first time since arriving at Oregon BY BRIAN SMITH SPORTS REPORTER Oregon freshman distance run ner Galen Rupp got down to busi ness this week, practicing for one of the most prestigious track pro grams in the country. The prized recruit from Central Catholic High School in Portland, who took home the individual cross country title his senior year at the 2003 4A state champi onship meet, as well as winning the 1,500- and 3,000-meter titles at the 2004 4A track and field state championship meet, began working out with teammates Monday. “1 ran a little bit with some of the guys on the team (Monday),” Rupp said. “But I think I will be able to practice with the team whenever.” Rupp enrolled in classes and secured a room in the residence halls. Now the only question re maining is when the NCAA will allow him to start competing in meets. TRACK, page 9
