Friday’s Weather Discussion from Chief Meteorologist Justin Stapleton 

I’m expecting a quiet night overall with some good breaks in the clouds and mostly dry skies with the occasional exception of a passing sprinkle or some enhanced mist at times along the coast. Overnight lows will fall slowly into the upper 40s for early Saturday.

Saturday, the next front will bring scattered showers and periods of steady rain mainly in the early afternoon. Rainfall totals look to be around .10″- .25″ inland, higher at the coast and in the mountains. Cloudy skies with some sun breaks by late afternoon and a few degrees cooler with highs back down in the low 60s. If you’re headed to either the Ducks softball games or game 2 of the Civil War in baseball, keep the rain coat handy. Sunday and Monday, drier weather is on tap as high pressure moves in offshore behind tomorrow’s front. I do expect low clouds to hang tough for most of Sunday morning, but should see some afternoon sunshine. A great sunny day Monday with highs back into the upper 60s and low 70s.

After that, a stronger storm will spill in from the Gulf of Alaska for Tuesday through Thursday. It’ll be a chilly one with a few days of rain showers, cool temps back down into the mid 50s AND a chance to drop snow levels back below the passes! It’s nice to get some much needed rain for a few days but it’ll be a stark contrast to the early summer-like spoiler weather we’ve seen most of the month.

Have a great weekend!

- Chief Meteorologist Justin Stapleton

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Courtesy: Oregon Sports Information

EUGENE, Ore. – Tommy Thorpe picked the right night to have the best start of his career at Oregon. The sophomore was dominant holding No. 4 Oregon State to just two infield hits in eight innings in a 3-0 win for the sixth-ranked Ducks on Friday night.

Thorpe matched a career-high with seven strikeouts while only allowing infield singles in the second and third innings. The sophomore, who moved to 6-4 on the season with the win, only faced real trouble in the third. The Beavers (41-9, 20-5 Pac-12) put runners on second and third with a bunt single, a hit batter and a wild pitch, but Thorpe struck out Michael Conforto to end the inning.

Thorpe took the mound in the ninth and walked the leadoff hitter forcing Oregon (43-11, 20-5 Pac-12) to go to closer Jimmie Sherfy. The Ducks’ All-American picked up his 20th save, breaking the Oregon record of 19 he set in 2012, to help UO pull into a first-place tie with the Beavers in the Pac-12.

The Ducks jumped out early scoring two runs in the first and one run in the second. Ryon Healy, who returned to the starting lineup after sitting out the last three games, put Oregon on top 1-0 with a base hit to left field scoring Brett Thomas. After a Mitchell Tolman sacrifice bunt put runners at second and third with one out, Aaron Payne scored to make it 2-0 on a slow roller to first by Scott Heineman.

Freshman Nick Catalano led off the bottom of the second with a double and scored on a RBI flare single by J.J. Altobelli to give the Ducks a 3-0 lead.

Thomas and Payne led Oregon with both going 2-for-4 with a run scored. Matt Boyd (10-3) took the loss for Oregon State.

The Ducks and Beavers meet Saturday at 2 p.m. at PK Park in game two of the three-game series with both teams scheduled to throw freshmen. Cole Irvin (10-2) will pitch for Oregon, while Andrew Moore (10-1) gets the start for Oregon State.

Oregon head coach George Horton:

Oregon pitcher Tommy Thorpe:

Oregon closer Jimmie Sherfy:

Oregon first baseman Ryon Healy:

Oregon State head coach Pat Casey:

Oregon State pitcher Matt Boyd:

Oregon State second baseman Andy Peterson:

EUGENE, Ore. — A piece of World War II history is spending the weekend at the Eugene Airport.

One of the remaining 13 active B-17 bombers in the country, the Aluminum Overcast, arrived in Eugene Friday is on display on the tarmac and in the air.

“I come every time a B-17 comes to town. This is my fourth time flying in a B-17,” said aviation enthusiast David Gault.

It’s an experience worth having time and time again. But whether it was their first time or fourth, hundreds gathered Friday to get an up-close look at a rare piece of world war two history.

“To see things like this, you just don’t see very many of them, and it’s a real true piece of history,” said aviation enthusiast Jim Thomas.

That’s why veterans, history buffs and aviation enthusiasts made the trip to the tarmac. Some took it in outside and some from within.

KEZI 9 News was one of the lucky ones who got to experience the aluminum overcast from its native environment–the sky. It was bumpy but beautiful.

The original parts and unique atmosphere could be felt from nose to tail, as we all took in the majesty and history that donned the dignified flyer–the reason everyone came to appreciate this one of a kind craft.

“Because it was the greatest battle the human race has ever fought, and this played a key part in that, in that battle,” Gault said.

The Aluminum Overcast is one of less than 20 of these B-17 bombers that’s still able to fly in the us, and it will be here through the weekend for you to come check out.

EUGENE, Ore. — Thousands of people are expected to come out for the Emerald City Roller Girls Big O Tournament this weekend at the Lane Events Center.

It’s a sport you may not even think about, but roller derby is gaining popularity. And that demand means more dollars for Lane County.

The sweat and determination is the same, though the sport isn’t as well known as others. For the second time, skaters from around the world will hit the roller derby track in Eugene.

“Everyone is just so welcoming and friendly as well. There is a true global derby community, and it’s just great experience to be here,” said London Team skater Matthew Sutton.

“It seems like everywhere I go I hear somebody say ‘Oh yeah, I know. My best friend is skating,” said Amber Cooper, skater and Head Coach of the men’s Concussion team.

The London team will be the first team to compete from the U.K. They’re not the only ones from outside the U.S. Canada and Australia will also hit the track.

Lane County Travel says the sports popularity is bringing big dollars to the local economy.

“This event is pretty amazing. It will bring over three quarters of a million dollars. It will bring $787,000,” said Kari Westlund, Travel Lane County President and CEO.

She says they’re expecting around 2,500 people to come out and watch the competition. It compares to some of the bigger events for the county, like Rowing on Dexter Lake.

“We host some serious regattas here because we’ve got one of the best rowing lakes between Seattle and Sacramento,” Westlund said.

Roller derby skaters say they think a lot of people come out to watch the competition because the sport doesn’t discriminate.

“I think it’s a great competitive sport, which is very welcoming of all shapes, sizes genders–everything. You have speed. You have strategy. You have the big hits. You just have all of this stuff, which I think for someone that isn’t fully aware of the rules, they can still actually enjoy just the spectacle of roller derby,” Sutton said.

“It’s kind of a counter-cultural punk rock type deal,” said skater James Brains.

The derby tournament runs through the weekend. They’re calling Saturday night date night. You can watch the three local teams compete. Admission will $15 that night.

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Senior pitcher Marina Demore threw seven effective innings and freshman Christie Langlois had her first career multi-hit game, but Hofstra scored the only runs of the game in a two-run fifth inning en route to a 2-0 win Friday afternoon in the opening game of the NCAA Regional.

The Beavers (33-23) posted hits in each of their first four at-bats but couldn’t push a run across against Hofstra starter Olivia Galati. She came in with 37 wins and a 1.39 ERA, but Oregon State showed little fear as center fielder Lea Cavestany led off the game with a single to center. A line-drive double play ended that frame, but the Beavers again threatened in the second and fourth with Langlois playing a central role in each.

In the second, her one-out single followed a leadoff hit by first baseman Natalie Hampton. With two on and one out, though, the Beavers couldn’t scratch out another hit. In the fourth, Langlois followed Desiree Beltran’s hit-by-pitch with a lined single to left. With Mollee Schwegler pinch-running for Beltran, the runners were able to move into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt by Ya Garcia. But a pop to second base ended the inning to leave the game scoreless.

Demore matched Galati zero-for-zero through the first four innings. But Hofstra (44-11) loaded the bases without hitting a ball terribly hard against Demore to lead off the fifth. After a pop to Santana got the first out, a double to right center broke the tie and turned into the eventual game-winning runs.

Demore went seven full, scattering seven hits while walking just two and striking out one. The Beavers now await the loser of the Missouri-Stony Brook contest for a 2:30 meeting tomorrow afternoon.

OREGON STATE HEAD COACH LAURA BERG

Opening Statement….

“I don’t have a lot to say other than the obvious. In this game you have to do the little things or you don’t win. It’s plain and simple; we had too many flyballs, too many strike-outs.”

On the challenges going forward….

“We have to be less tentative. We don’t have time for tentativeness. I don’t know what these girls are waiting for. You win or you go home, and our backs are against the wall – we have to play better.”

OREGON STATE SENIOR P MARINA DEMORE

On Hofstra’s offensive performance….

“I think they did a good job. They put the bat on the ball and had some timely hitting.”

EUGENE – The No. 3 University of Oregon softball team (48-9) advanced to its fourth straight NCAA Regional Final with a 3-0 win over North Carolina (40-9) Friday afternoon at Howe Field.

En route to her school-record 100th career victory, senior Jessica Moore (26-4) struck out nine, walked one, and scattered five hits.

The Pac-12 Pitcher of the Year posted her fourth shutout of the season and 19th career-wise – fourth-most all-time for the Ducks – and two shy of Susan Voeller’s third-best total (21).

“Coach White said that we have to go out and play every game like it’s going to be our last,” Moore said. “At any time in the postseason, it could turn really quickly. We need to go out and be aggressive against whomever we play, and be fired up and ready to win.”

Moore raised her four-year record in regional action to 10-0, and also improved her school career records for strikeouts (902), innings (888) and appearances (172).

The Ducks scored their opening run in the first inning after sophomore center fielder Janie Takeda led off with a single to shortstop, advanced on a sacrifice bunt, stole third base, and scored on a bad throw by the catcher.

UO’s final two runs came in the third inning after Takeda, junior shortstop Courtney Ceo, junior DP Alexa Peterson and senior right fielder Samantha Pappas stroked singles.

Overall for the game, Takeda (2-for-4, 2 SB) and Ceo (2-for-2, RBI) posted their team-leading 29th and 20th multi-hit games of the season.

The All-Pac-12 and All-Region choice Takeda now has 86 hits on the season – one shy of the school record by Lisa Wangler from 2001 (87).

Takeda and Ceo also raised their season stolen base totals to 29 and 22 – sixth- and 10th-most in a campaign for the Ducks.

“The team has a lot of confidence in each other right now,” Takeda said. “We are really pulling for each other, and picking each other up on offense, defense and on the basepaths. We’re excited to win today and look forward to tomorrow.”

In the circle for UNC, All-ACC pitcher Lori Spingola (30-14) struck out seven, walked one, yielded six hits, and two of her three runs allowed were earned.

Offensively for the Tar Heels, five players hit safely once.

Two of those hits came in the second inning, along with a one-out walk that loaded the bases. Moore, however, answered with a strikeout of pinch-hitter Kati Causey and infield pop-out to end the inning.

“Jess has been our number one for four years,” Oregon head coach Mike White said,”so we were excited to see her get another key win, especially at home in front of a great crowd. North Carolina is a quality opponent with a good pitcher who is difficult to score runs off. Fortunately, we were able to lead the game off with our short game.”

After the Duck-Cougar contest, Wisconsin beat BYU, 6-0, and the Badgers next play the Tar Heels at 5 p.m. in Friday’s final contest

On Saturday, UO plays at noon in the NCAA Regional final, and a second if-necessary game would follow at 3 p.m. in the double-elimination format.

All week local companies and their employees have been seeking out alternative ways to get to and from work. Friday was National Bike to Work Day.

One business that takes part in the commute challenge is St. Vincent de Paul. One employee said many of them have been taking part all week.

“We have about 70 people that work here at our Chad Drive location, and when I checked yesterday, we were at a 20 percent participation rate, which is pretty good for us. So we’re happy about it,” said Nora Cronin, Housing Development Associate.

KEZI 9 News would like to congratulate all the participants in this year’s challenge. Results for the competition, including which business logged the most miles this year, will be released later this month.

The business has been in existence for 100 years. As part of the celebration, the Six Robblees’ Store brought in 30 of its vendors from across the country.

The Robblee family started the business in Tacoma, Washington in 1913 and opened in Eugene 13 years ago. Since then, it’s expanded throughout the Northwest and went from selling one product to hundreds.

“We started in 1913 as a wheel company, and we’ve continued doing all sorts of other products since then, and today’s a day of celebrating that,” said Andy Robblee, Six Robblees’ President.

The business has been family owned for the entire 100 years.

EUGENE, Ore. — Active and former Boy Scout members and leaders are protesting in Eugene and across the country.

Their message: keep gay people out of the Scouts.

Next Thursday Boy Scout leaders will vote on whether or not the group will allow openly gay men to join the organization. On Friday a group rallied in Eugene to urge leaders to vote in opposition to this proposal.

Mothers, children, parents and former Boy Scout members and leaders rallied against the Boy Scouts allowing openly gay men to join the organization.

“They’ve had a long-standing tradition for 103 years. They’ve had a policy and I think they need to stick to that policy,” said Tiger Scout parent Emma Higley.

It’s all part of a nationwide rally to urge Boy Scout leaders to vote no on a proposal to allow homosexual men to join the Boy Scouts.

“Opening the Boy Scouts to boys who openly proclaim being sexually attracted to other boys and are openly identifying themselves as gay will inevitably create an increase of boy on boy sexual contact,” Lee Wright, the event’s organizer.

About a dozen people lined the streets outside of the local Boy Scout headquarters with signs saying vote no on the resolution.

“We don’t need any changes in the Scouts. There’s no discrimination,” said former Boy Scout Jim Kelso.

Protestors say there’s nothing wrong with the way things currently are and say allowing openly gay men to join the ranks will cause financial, social, and legal problems for the entire organization.

“You know, maintain the standards they’ve had for years, and years, and years,” Wright said.

“I’m concerned about the direction that is trying to be imposed on the national Scouts, which of course is going to come back to our local level,” said Gary Vandermeer.

“I’d just like to tell people to pray this week for the decision Thursday that they’ll make the right decision for our boys,” Higley said.

According to an ABC News poll, more than 60 percent of Americans support the Scouts allowing gay men to join the Boy Scouts.