Keeping with what seems to be a recurring theme, the UW baseball team bounced back from a lifeless performance against UCLA two weekends ago with a powerful showing against Oregon this weekend.

Get swept. Sweep. Get swept. Sweep.

It happened against UCLA and Oregon, and earlier against ASU and Cal.

Now, the Huskies get a reprieve from Pac-10 competition in a single game against Lewis-Clark State tomorrow at Husky Ballpark.

But let’s just say that L-C State is no pushover.

The Huskies are 17-18 in history against the 2008 NAIA champions, and the Warriors have gone 1,637-410-2 during head coach Ed Cheff’s 32 years at the helm of this NAIA powerhouse.

If the Huskies want to perpetuate any momentum they earned in their sweep of the Ducks, they’ll have to pitch like they did against Oregon — when they gave up five runs in three games — and get the lead early, which they did in all three games against the Ducks.

“We felt better about playing with a lead,” said UW head coach Ken Knutson. “And this season, when we had a lead, we’ve been thinking about holding it.”

Knutson’s decision to settle on Aaron West, Jason Erickson and Andrew Kittredge as his three main starters has paid off, keeping the Dawgs close enough in games to give the offense a chance to take the lead. Even so, Seth Haehl will get the start today.

But struggles at the plate have mounted, and hitting against top-tier competition is one area in which the Huskies have failed this season.

Kyle Conley, batting .347 with a conference-leading 16 home runs, needs to continue smacking the ball around, and other hot bats like Jake Rife’s and Caleb Brown’s can’t fall apart as they have other times this season.

The Huskies are also looking for a stronger performance at the plate from first baseman Troy Scott.

The sophomore from Auburn, Wash., had been in what could be characterized as a season-long slump, batting around .240 with four home runs until the Oregon series. Scott had three key hits, including two homers and two RBI against the Ducks.

“Scott had a good weekend,” Knutson said. “He’s just had a rough season and not a whole lot to show for it.”

The Huskies get a few days off after the L-C State game before facing USC and entering the final stretch of games in their 2009 campaign.

Reach reporter Allen Wagner at sports@dailyuw.com.