On Friday, the Oregon baseball team opens its 2018 season against Loyola Marymount, at the Marucci Desert Classic in Las Vegas.
The Pac-12 season begins exactly one month later, at Arizona State on March 16. In the interim, UO coach George Horton hopes to find answers to some of the Ducks' lingering questions, about a pitching staff looking to replace David Peterson, and an outfield that could feature two freshmen.
One place where no uncertainty lurks is the infield. The Ducks return three starters, who were the team's top three power bats last season, and added to the mix an exciting new face at shortstop, converted pitcher Ryne Nelson.