The 2025 Oregon Ducks: A Look Back

There was a lot of good baseball played in Eugene, OR during the 2025 season (Oregon Athletics photo)

By Mark Garland

Oregon Ducks Baseball is in good hands, if you ask me.

While I have been thinking about what I would write after this terrific season for the Ducks, I honestly thought I would have more time.

More time to enjoy this tremendous team that has taken on so much in its first season of Big10 play.

More time getting to watch these young men continue to grow into leaders, teammates, and ball players. Time to make more stories and memories with this staff, players, parents, and fans.

But alas, we have come to the end of our time in the 2025 season. I am so proud I was given the opportunity to cover this Oregon Ducks team. I attempt to cover every team across the country equally and with the same moxie of the teams nearest me, but it was really hard for me not to root for these guys once I got to know them.

The athletic department here at Oregon has made visiting PK Park an absolute blessing. From the press box to concession stands. From Todd Miles, the terrific Student Information Director who works with me to help cover these student athletes, to the Groundskeeping team who makes this place look so great.

From the fans who show up and make PK loud and full of energy, to the parents who have spent unmatched time and energy raising these young men.

From the Coaching staff who works tirelessly molding young men into great people and ballplayers, to the players who have given me access into their world and allowed me to share their stories and feats with the rest of the college baseball world.

Thank you for a remarkable season. Some folks will dwell on the negatives of losing here in a regional at journey's end, but I challenge you to look at the great things throughout this season and the broader direction this program is heading.

Things like winning a regular-season title in its first season in the Big 10. Like having a player in Mason Neville who led the country in home runs. Like having the most ever fan attendance in any Duck season. And yes, hosting an NCAA regional as a reward!

For four seasons, I have spoken about the amazing baseball player Jacob Walsh has been here at Oregon. Today, I wanted to share a little about the amount I have seen him grow as a leader, become an elite defender, strengthen his mental resolve, and become a huge clutch performer.

This young man has given his all to Ducks baseball, and I tip my hat to him. I’m humbled I was able to witness him breaking so many career records in a Duck uniform, and even more proud hearing how his teammates and coaches raved about the kind of person he is. While it's sad I will not get to see him don the Green and Yellow again, I know that whatever Jacob decides to do in life, he will be successful.

I also am so appreciative I had the chance to get to know Coach Mark Wasikowski more, having him on our coaches spotlight show / podcast a couple times. I enjoyed hearing how grateful he is to the Duck fans who have been growing this ballpark experience every season since his induction as head coach; speaking with him about these young men who place their trust in him, and how he strives to make them better people above all other things. It’s been an honor and privilege, and I look forward to many more future conversations with him about life and baseball.

I want to express gratitude to the other seniors as well and thank them for being a part of building something special here at Oregon. A salute to Jeffrey Heard for finding a role on this team and being a great teammate. A salute to Seth Mattox for carving out a place in the bullpen and giving maximum effort. A salute to Jaxon Jordan and Julien Hernandez for finding bullpen roles and unfortunately, dealing with injuries as the sometimes-inevitable part of it.

To the juniors who may have played their final games at PK Park, thank you for leaving this place in a better position and helping grow this incredible baseball culture. I’m not going to name any of those players, but they know who they are.

Thank you for the interviews, your giving to the community, the highs, and yes even those challenging down times that tested your resolve. Remember that special things are special because they last forever, and because we got to enjoy them together.

Just thank you all, and I know that this is a special place that is on the rise. Farewell until next season!

*****