Oregon's Drew Smith, Ryan Cooney earn All-Region honors

Winning the Eugene Regional proved the Oregon Ducks were one of the best teams on the West Coast in the 2026 season. Although the Ducks fell short in the Austin Super Regional, they had a season to remember, particularly for a few veterans whom the program will be saying goodbye to.

Drew Smith and Ryan Cooney were staples in the Oregon lineup all season long at third and second base, respectively. Despite having different styles of play at the plate, both were integral to the Ducks‘ success on the field. Smith and Cooney were both named to the ABCA (American Baseball Coaches Association)/Rawlings All-Region teams for the Western programs.

Smith was the only Duck to earn a first-team nomination, thanks to his dominance at the plate and quick thinking in the field at the hot corner. The senior third baseman led the Ducks in batting average (.338), home runs (16) and RBIs (64). He was also a first-team All-Big Ten selection. Smith really turned it on in the postseason, hitting 11-for-26 with a pair of home runs and 11 RBIs. He was also known to lay down a bunt for a hit when he needed to, despite hitting in the core of the lineup.

Third base will be a hole the Ducks need to fill this offseason with Smith graduating. He was named to all-tournament teams in three separate regionals in his career at three different positions. Smith played second base and outfield in the past before starring at third base this season.

Cooney also saw his roles with the Ducks shift during his career, but his junior season might have been his best. The second baseman for the Ducks slashed 331/.420/.524 and led the team in hits (82), doubles (22) and extra-base hits (31) while swiping 13 bases. Cooney also earned first-team All-Big Ten honors and a spot on the Eugene Regional all-tournament team.

It’s likely that Cooney will be selected at some point in the 2026 MLB Draft and will sign with a team, meaning his time as a Duck could be over. If it is, Cooney will end his Oregon tenure with one of the best single-season performances in program history atop the lineup, finishing second in doubles and fourth in hits in a single season.

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