Oregon
No. 13 Oregon baseball blasts No. 3 Beavers, sets up chance to sweep rivalry series
EUGENE — As he analyzed his team’s tone-setting series-opening victory on Friday night, Oregon baseball coach Mark Wasikowski stressed that the Ducks had not yet come close to showing their immense potential.
“We’ve got a good record, like, a really good record …,” he said. “But they still feel like they’re way better than what we’ve shown on a consistent basis. You’ve got to put a complete product together on a consistent basis for us to be able to make that claim. And so until we can show that on a regular basis, people are going to question it. And they’ve got a right to.
“But the locker room feels like they got a lot more to show.”
It would be pretty hard to top what the No. 13 Ducks showed Saturday night.
Oregon handed the rival Oregon State Beavers their worst defeat of the season, administering an embarrassing 13-1 back-alley beat-down before 4,278 at PK Park in Eugene.
The Ducks blasted four home runs, put crooked numbers on the scoreboard in five different innings, and rode another dominant starting pitching performance to their fourth consecutive win in the rivalry series, clinching their first weekend series triumph over the Beavers since 2021.
Oregon (29-12) entered the series looking to pad its postseason resume and reinforce the internal belief that it is capable of making a special late-season run. The Ducks did that and then some on Saturday, when they chased electric OSU right-hander Dax Whitney after three innings, built a commanding 9-0 lead and scored in five of the first six innings, blasting their way to the most lopsided win over the Beavers since resurrecting the baseball program in 2009.
“It’s nice to win the series in the first two games, but we’re after the sweep,” Ducks center fielder Mason Neville said. “So taking the win, brushing it off and maintaining the mindset we’ve had the past two games of just dominating every pitch and continuing to do that. That’s the best way to go about it and we plan on doing that tomorrow.”
The Ducks opened up a 2-0 lead seven pitches into the bottom of the first inning, when No. 2 hitter Dominic Hellman belted a first-pitch fastball to deep center field for a two-run home run. It was only the beginning. Oregon went on to blast three more homers, as Neville, Jacob Walsh and Maddox Molony each added two-run shots, punctuating an explosive performance.
Eight different Ducks recorded a hit and four finished with multi-hit nights. Drew Smith went 3 for 4 with a triple and two RBIs, Ryan Cooney finished 3 for 5 with two runs scored, Molony went 2 for 5 with three RBIs and Hellman went 2 for 4 with two RBIs and two runs scored. Neville and Walsh hit their second homers of the series and Neville’s was his nation-leading 21st of the season.
All the while, sophomore right-hander Collin Clarke (3-2) bewildered the Beavers (32-9) for six impressive innings, allowing just one run and four hits to earn his first win since March 15. Clarke, who finished with four strikeouts, carried a shutout into the sixth inning and retired 11 consecutive batters during one dominant stretch.
Whitney (3-3), on the other hand, struggled to control a 97-mph fastball and throw his curveball for strikes on the way to one of his worst outings of the season. He surrendered four runs, four hits and four walks in three innings, taking it on the chin in what OSU coach Mitch Canham called a “learning moment.”
“Our lineup in general is pretty special,” Neville said. “I think we have the chance to really do some big things this year. And I mean, to go out and have your 1-2-3 all hit two-run home runs, it’s pretty tough to do. It just puts pressure on the other team and puts pressure on the pitcher. And, I mean, they don’t want to throw to us, it seems like. So, yeah, it’s a lot of fun to be a part of winning by 12.”
As for the Beavers, there wasn’t much fun in the third base dugout at PK Park. And when the team gathered for a lengthy postgame chat in left field to dissect the debacle, it was one of the topics Canham addressed.
“I’ve noticed we play our best when our guys are having a lot of fun,” he said. “Being behind in the games, yeah, that can create difficulty having fun or opening up to that. But what really creates fun is knowing that you have those guys next to you, that you’re playing baseball, that you’re part of the best program in the country.
“We were punched in the mouth pretty hard. Now it’s time to take this as a learning moment to bring us closer together, not further apart.”
Next up: The Beavers and Ducks finish their weekend series Sunday afternoon at PK Park. First pitch is scheduled for 12:05 p.m.
— Joe Freeman | jfreeman@oregonian.com | 503-294-5183 | @BlazerFreeman | @freemanjoe.bsky.social | Subscribe to The Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories.
The Oregon Ducks have been progressing through the class of 2027 with hopes of landing some of their top target’s commitment on both the offense and the defense.
With many names left on the board, the Ducks have started to receive some great news, including some news from someone they have been targeting since they offered back in January of 2025.
Darius Johnson Releases His Top Four Schools
One of the Ducks top targets’ in the 2027 class at the cornerback position is Darius Johnson. Johnson recently released his top schools with Hayes Fawcett, as he is entering a crucial part of his recruitment. The four schools he has listed at the top include the California Golden Bears, Michigan Wolverines, UCLA Bruins, and the Oregon Ducks.
Johnson is one of the better cornerbacks in the country. He currently ranks as the nation’s No. 178 prospect in the country, No. 20 player at the position, and the No. 14 player in the state of California, according to Rivals. Landing his commitment would be major for any of the schools, as he is someone who could see the field early due to his size, and his growing ability to lockdown a side of the field all by himself.
More About Darius Johnson
Johnson currently measures in at 6-1 and 155 pounds, and will be someone who continues to add weight through his high school program, and will eventually have the chance to really improve his frame when he gets to college. As of now, each of the four schools has a solid chance to win its recruiting battle, but there seems to be a clear leader at this moment.
The leader for the Ducks target seems to be the Michigan Wolverines, who have the only scheduled official visit at this moment. It seems likely that the talented prospect will schedule his other official visits sooner rather than later now that he has officially cut down his list. If the Ducks want to land his commitment, they will need to get him on an official visit because they are likely trailing at this point.
What If He Committed to Oregon Today?
If he were to commit to the Ducks today, he would be the ninth commitment for the Ducks in the class of 2027. He would also be the third cornerback commit for the Ducks in the class of 2027, which is a position they have been recruiting heavily. The cornerbacks the Ducks have at this moment are four-star Ai’King Hall from the state of Alabama and four-star Josiah Molden from the state of Oregon.
Some of their other commits at this moment include four-star EDGE Rashad Streets, four-star defensive linemen Zane Rowe, and four-star EDGE Cameron Pritchett. This class is shaping up to be another top-five class if the pieces continue to fall into place for Oregon coach Dan Lanning and his staff.
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Oregon tight end Jamari Johnson, after an impressive 2025 season with the Ducks, now becomes the leader at his position following the departure of star Kenyon Sadiq to the NFL.
With an Oregon offense set to return several top stars and bring in two talents at the tight end position, Johnson looks to not only improve as a leader but build off his impressive 2025 season, in which he recorded 32 receptions for 510 yards and three touchdowns.
Here’s everything Johnson had to say during his media appearance following Oregon’s scrimmage on Saturday, with the spring game on the horizon.
Everything Tight End Jamari Johnson Said After Spring Scrimmage
What He Learned From Playing With Tight End Kenyon Sadiq:
“So many, but one is training. Everybody in this facility harps on it, and it’s just a standard here. It’s like him from last year, that man strained his guts out almost every play. I just feel like I got to do the exact same thing or even more to uphold the standard.”
Stepping Up At Tight End:
“It just changed because obviously Kenyon leaving somebody has to step up and be a leader in the room, and me being one of the older guys, it just happens to be me. I just accepted that role, and I actually kind of like it, getting these young guys going, getting them in the playbook and getting them used to college football.”
Participating Again In Spring Practice:
“It feels good coming back. Feels like I have something to prove for me personally, I feel like I haven’t really done anything in college football. I feel like this year is that year for me to show everybody what I’m about.”
On Tight Ends Kendre Harrison and Andrew Olesh:
“Both good dudes, they both got that dog in them. Andrew, he came from Penn State. He’s been coming along well, getting in the playbook. Kendre, he’s a big, tall guy, getting in the playbook too. They’ve been getting after it, man. It’s been good taking them under my wing. Hopefully, we just get going this year.”
Goals and Expectations Ahead of Spring Game:
“I’ll say one expectation that we really try to harp on in the room is just going 100 percent. That’s with your effort, that’s with knowing the plays and just giving it your all. A goal is just to get in that endzone. That’s one of the goals for the tight end room right there.”
Why He Returned to Oregon:
“Like I said earlier, to me, I felt like I haven’t really done anything in college football. That was one of the reasons, and another is I wouldn’t say I’m not ready for the NFL, but like that’s pretty much what I’m getting at, is just like I have a lot of stuff to work on that’s within footwork and hand placement, block in the run game, and route details. Getting to the right depth and just touching up everything I can so when I get to the NFL, there’s none of those problems, it’s just the big problems I have to fix.”
How Reps Helped Him Improve:
“It really helped me. Last year, we ran a lot of twelve personnel at the end of the season because we had a couple of injuries, but that really helped me. This year, I feel like I’m coming in rolling off the ground. It’s just so much more fluent, and those reps really helped me with the playbook. Playbook is way easier now, and I’m getting a good feel for it.”
His Leadership Traits:
“I like to get the guys going. I have a real voice on the field, and if y’all hear me on the field, I get the guys going. I wouldn’t say I’m a vocal leader, but I lead by example. Vocal leader, probably something I need to work on.”
On New Offensive Coordinator Drew Mehringer:
“It’s been different. They’re two different people, coach (Will) Stein and coach Drew. My guy’s getting us going. I’m excited for this season.”
Supporting Dakorien Moore At Track Meet:
“Yesterday, that touched my heart, man. Just all of us going out there, and it wasn’t even just for Dakorien. It was really for Oregon. It was just more for Dakorien because we see him every day. That really touched my heart, and the connection is just unbelievable. I don’t think many people are doing that for their teammates.”
Quarterback Dante Moore’s Growth:
“That guy has his head on his shoulders at all times. He’s been growing consistently, but it’s a couple of different things. I probably can’t name them right now, but he’s been having his head on his shoulders. He’s just been on the climb.”
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Oregon
Oregon man mounted a jet engine on a 60-year-old fishing boat to blast around a lake and thinks he may have set a world record
A man from Oregon has unveiled something truly crazy after he added a jet engine to the back of a 60-year-old fishing boat – and he suspects he might have broken a world record.
YouTuber Robert Maddox from CrazyRocketman mounted a pulsejet engine and its 230lbs of thrust to the back of a 1965 12-foot Sears fishing boat.
A wild juxtaposition by any standard, and the video he posted on YouTube confirms that as the diminutive boat roars away.
But did the YouTuber actually actually get the record?
How does this 1965 Sears fishing boat get its power?
The video shows the Oregon man hurling the boat around a lake, with the engine glowing behind him.
Strapped to the back of the boat is a pulsejet engine that produces 230lbs of thrust.
Pulsejet engines are smaller, lighter jet engines with combustion occurring in pulses.
Such is their simplicity that they can be made with few or even no moving parts at all.
Engines like these were used on the German V-1 Flying Bomb from World War II.
These were the Argus As 014 engines, the very first pulsejet ever to be mass-produced.
It is a smaller and even simpler version of these that Maddox has put on the back of his boat.
The funny noise they make comes from the way in which the jet makes its power.
This old boat could be a record holder
In his video, Maddox had clearly enjoyed his outing on the boat.
“Man, this boat really is super controllable,” he said, highlighting the ease with which it handles.
The video suggested there are a few niggles still to sort out on the boat.
“It was making all kinds of fuel noises, I’ve probably got a fuel pump out or something,” he added.
Yet this isn’t the end of the road for this particular project.
“I’m going to do a lot with this boat, and put a twin engine on it,” Maddox said in the video.
Given the speed of the vessel, with two pulsejet engines, this should rocket through the water.
That means another world record could be up for grabs for the Oregon YouTuber.
If there was any doubt over a world record with one engine, two engines should end the debate in an instant.
Jet engine timeline
150 AD – Hero of Alexandria invents the aeolipile, a steam-powered device demonstrating the basic jet principle
1930 – Frank Whittle successfully patents the first design for a working gas turbine jet engine
1937 – Hans von Ohain tests his first centrifugal turbojet engine prototype in Germany
1939 – The Heinkel He 178 makes the first successful flight powered entirely by a jet engine
1941 – The Gloster E.28/39 completes the first British jet flight using Whittle’s engine design
1944 – The Messerschmitt Me 262 enters combat service as the world’s first operational jet fighter
1949 – The de Havilland Comet makes its maiden flight to become the first commercial jet airliner
1958 – The Boeing 707 enters commercial service and officially kicks off the global Jet Age
1969 – Concorde takes off for the first time to pioneer supersonic passenger jet travel
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