The Oregon Ducks baseball team didn’t get the sweep they wanted against No. 1 UCLA, but they walked away from Los Angeles with something just as valuable: belief. After taking one of three games from the top-ranked Bruins—including a statement 9-6 win on Saturday night that snapped UCLA’s 27-game conference winning streak—the Ducks are feeling confident as the postseason looms.

“We showed we belong,” said second baseman Ryan Cooney. “If there’s anything we learned, it’s that we can compete with the best teams in the country. We can beat anybody out there.”

Oregon had a chance to win the series outright after jumping out to a 6-1 lead on Sunday, but a late collapse left them with a 9-6 loss. Still, the Ducks sit at 36-14 overall and 18-9 in Big Ten play—a record that speaks to their resilience and talent. The series at UCLA proved they can hang with elite competition, and now they’re bringing that momentum home.

Next up is a pivotal three-game set against No. 18 USC at PK Park, starting Thursday, May 14, at 7 p.m. The Trojans boast an RPI of 8, while Oregon checks in at 19—meaning a series win could significantly boost the Ducks’ tournament resume and potentially secure them a spot as a regional host. With the postseason just around the corner, every game counts.

Oregon knows the stakes. A strong showing against USC would not only solidify their place in the NCAA tournament but also send a message: the Ducks are ready to make a deep run. As Cooney put it, the team is playing with confidence, and that swagger might just be their biggest weapon.