CORVALLIS Earlier this month, Gavin Turley’s teammates took notice when he walked into the Oregon State baseball development center for a preseason photo session.
The young outfielder, who dazzled his parents with his aviation prowess, dazzled his classmates with his piano prowess, and dazzled Beavers supporters with his forceful swing, had pulled off another stunning feat:
He carried a herd of recently killed ducks.
“Why don’t you bring them in?” I asked. “Turley said.” It would be somewhat amusing.
Let us take a step back.
Ahead of the 2025 college baseball season, the OSU sports department was hosting one of its yearly photo/video sessions. During this time, it produces artwork and promotional materials for anything from team pictures to in-game promotional videos that are shown on the right field jumbotron. Shortstop Aiva Arquette, who hails from Kailua, Hawaii, contacted school administrators the evening before the session to inquire about bringing a Hawaiian flag for use as a prop.
The response was straightforward: Of course.
However, associate athletic director Hank Hager of Oregon State believed that Arquette’s colleagues should be given the same chance. On the morning of the photo shoot, he informed the players by SMS.
Arquette carried a Hawaiian flag with pride. Leo Cote, a freshman, had a Canadian flag with him. A large straw hat was worn by Canon Reeder. Some carried golf clubs.
Turley was the next one.
Gavin Turley, an outfielder for Oregon State, arrived for a photo/video shoot with a bunch of freshly killed ducks.Instagram
Coincidentally, the Beavers slugger went duck hunting that morning with three teammates: left-hander Ethan Kleinschmit, catcher Wilson Weber, and right-hander Chase Reynolds. About 20 minutes north of Corvallis, Reynolds had discovered a great location, and the foursome caught a ton of ducks. Turley left with fifteen.
Turley couldn’t help but smile when the players saw Hager’s text regarding the photo shoot.
He added, “Yeah, we’re bringing these in today,” as we kind of exchanged glances.
In full regalia, Turley posed for pictures and films while strolling about with a number of ducks on a leather sling.
Furthermore, what about the apparent link to the Beavers’ in-state rival? Was the Oregon Ducks the target of the taunt?
“No,” Turley responded, “I was just enjoying myself.” There is, of course, the rivalry element. The fans adore it. However, I don’t mean to be hateful or anything like that. We were really duck hunting that morning when he texted, “Hey, bring in any prop you want,” and everything went exactly as planned.
Several hunters are among the many outdoor enthusiasts in the program. Earlier this month, Coach Mitch Canham took his son, Mack, on a pheasant hunt on a property outside of Maupin. Canham and other staff members frequently go hunting for chukars and pheasants in the woods.
Turley, one of the team’s more quirky personalities, had long since left when the Beavers’ coach came to Corvallis to substitute him for his photo shoot.
However, he left behind proof of the day’s mischief.
I thought, “Why are there duck feathers on the ground here?” when I stepped outside for my photo. “Canham said.” Then I thought, Oh, after seeing the photos. Well, none of the meat has arrived here that I can see.
The coach of OSU may relax knowing that the ducks were not wasted.
According to Turley, you can get 25 ducks around here if you hit it in the right area on the right day. This year and this fall, I think I’ve had a lot of successful duck hunts.
I prepare them. I consume them all. We all adore the house and our teammates.
503-294-5183 | @BlazerFreeman|@freemanjoe.bsky.social| Joe Freeman|[email protected]| Get the newest news and the best stories by subscribing to The Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts.
