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Pac-10 In Print
• Oregon State Softball Oregon State Softball 2007 Written By Natalie Johnson
Growing up in the state of Oregon, identifying as a Duck or a Beaver can be as important to some people as identifying with a certain ethnic group or religion. In elementary school, friendly competition during Civil War time breeds a young generation of die-hard fans proudly sporting either team's unmistakable orange and black or green and yellow. I grew up in the Midwest, away from the early influences of Ducks or Beavers. So once I moved to Oregon, in a timid effort to please everyone around me, I identified with both schools equally. I was, according to the third grader I used to babysit, a platypus. It wasn't until I joined the Beaver softball team that I understood the intensity and emotion that accompanies Civil War games. Ducks vs. Beavers. The battle for bragging rights. And every year the Civil War softball game lives up to its hype. Regardless of what kind of a year either team is having, the Civil War never fails to exceed expectations of what a good college softball game should be. This year, the Civil War means more than just bragging rights. For the Beaver softball team, it's a chance to maintain momentum after sweeping the Cal Bears in the Pac-10 opener, and a chance to knock off one of the hottest teams in the country. After dominating the Bears 6-0 in front of a packed home crowd as Brianne McGowan broke the OSU record for career wins, the feeling of pride and accomplishment was overwhelming. This is Beaver softball. Three days of hard practice and we're off to Eugene. It's Civil War time, and the Beaver softball team is more than ready for a battle.
Natalie Johnson
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