Olerud returned to action for the Cougars in mid-April; he hit .359 with 5 home runs and 30 runs batted in during 78 plate appearances. On the mound, he posted a 3-2 record with a 6.68 earned run average. He was a Pac-10 North All-League designated hitter. From 1989 onward, he wore a batting helmet while on defense. The Cougars again won the Pac-10 North title, but lost their first two games of the North tournament in blustery Spokane to end their year early. (Fourth-seeded Portland advanced to the NCAA tourney.)