So far we’ve previewed the best teams in the SEC and Big Ten, letting fans know what to expect this season from their favorite teams. This week we’re highlighting PAC-12, the matriarch conference for collegiate softball.

First up is the PAC-12 Conference champion Oregon Ducks. The Ducks have become something of a softball powerhouse the last several seasons, with three Women’s College World Series appearances in the last four years.

Much of Oregon’s success has come as a result of the hire of Head Coach Mike White. In White’s six years with the Ducks, he boasts a 280-83-1 record making him the winningest softball coach in Oregon history. He and his staff also picked up their third consecutive NFCA Pacific Region coaching staff of the year award.

2015 was a record-setting year for the Ducks. They set program records in almost every major offensive category including batting average (.359), home runs (81), runs batted in (399), and total bases (927). The ducks also won their third straight PAC-12 title and took a No. 2 ranking into the WCWS before being eliminated by Alabama in the second round.

The Ducks will have to continue their dominance without four seniors from 2015: Janie Takeda, Karissa Hovinga, Jamie Rae Sullivan and Sara Goodrum. Takeda gave Oregon a record-breaking career. Selected to join Team USA this past summer, Takeda became Oregon’s career leader in hits (309), runs (204), stolen bases (102), and doubles (42). She paced the team in 2015 with 76 hits and had the third highest batting average on the team (.411). The speedy outfielder also led the PAC-12 last season in stolen bases with 35.


Janie Takeda set several career records during her time at Oregon, including stolen bases with 102

The Ducks also lose senior pitcher and Canadian National Team member Karissa Hovinga. The righty posted a 2.67 ERA with only one loss on the season as the Ducks’ No. 2 pitcher. Hovinga ended her career at Oregon on a high note, carrying a 0.57 ERA throughout the postseason and picking up victories in the Ducks’ regional and super regional.

Despite losing the four seniors, Oregon returns most of its WCWS roster including its No. 1 battery of seniors Cheridan Hawkins and Janelle Lindvall. Hawkins dominated the PAC-12 last season, leading the league in ERA (1.64) and strikeouts (282). The PAC-12 Pitcher of the Year was also one of three finalists for Player of the Year, making Oregon the only program with athletes nominated for both player of the year and freshman of the year. Hawkins could graduate from Oregon owning career records in wins, shutouts, and strikeouts as she currently sits in a close second in all three categories.

Lindvall returns for her last season after playing with the USA National Team this summer. She will bring a solid presence both offensively and defensively for the Ducks. The power hitter is chasing the all-time record for home runs and needs just 14 to break it.


The senior battery of Cheridan Hawkins/Janelle Lindvall will be key to the Ducks' defensive success in 2016

Another top returner is sophomore third baseman and Junior Team USA Softball member Jenna Lilley who tied for the team lead in batting average. Lilley was FloSoftball’s 2014 Hot 100 No. 1 player and it showed her freshman season as she was one of three finalists for Freshman of the Year last year. Expect Lilley to build on the success of her freshman season and be a top contributor to the Ducks' offense in 2016.


Freshman Jenna Lilley exploded onto the scene in 2015, leading the Ducks' offense with a .427 batting average

Other top returners include Koral Costa and Nikki Udria. Costa hit .356 last season and led the Ducks in home runs while Udria batted .367 on the season and started every game for the Ducks and short shop.As if their returners aren’t enough, the Ducks bring in a talented group of six freshmen.

Pitcher Megan Kleist leads the Ducks’ 2015 class as she was named Div. I state player of the year in Wisconsin and is FloSoftball’s 2015 Hot 100 No. 40 player. Oregon also adds Louisville Slugger Hit Club attendee and FloSoftball's 2015 Hot 100 No. 18 player Cherish Burks ​and FloSoftball's 2015 Hot 100 No. 44 player Madi Bishop. April Utecht is another power hitter that goes to Oregon as Washington state’s career leader in home runs with 53. Rounding out the Ducks’ freshmen class include FloSoftball's 2015 Hot 100 No. 75 player Autumn Miller and Marisa Given.


Louisville Slugger Hit Club attendee Cherish Burks is one of several FloSoftball Hot 100 players Oregon brings in for 2016

Given the enormous amount of talent coming back for the Ducks and their strong recruiting class, there's no reason for the Ducks not to make their fourth WCWS appearance in last five years. Expect to see the Ducks playing in June 2016 and maybe hoisting the program's first national championship trophy.