After a historic win for the Oregon Ducks in Game 1 of the first series of the season at PK Park, the Mississippi State Bulldogs evened the slate with a 5-4 victory on Saturday afternoon in Eugene, Ore. The Ducks got off to a hot start by scoring three runs in the first two innings thanks to doubles by Matthew Dyer, Tim Susnara, and AJ Balta, but the Bulldogs scored two runs in both the sixth and eighth innings to take their first lead of the game. Matt Mercer started his third game of the season for Oregon and he allowed six hits and three runs (just two earned) in six innings, resulting in a no-decision. A throwing error by Dyer in right field in the sixth inning put two Bulldogs in scoring position, which set up an important two-out, two-run single by Mississippi State catcher Josh Lovelady to tie the score. The Ducks scored one in the ninth and had the tying run at second, but couldn’t force extra innings. Riley Self (2-0) picked up the win for the Bulldogs while Connor Zwetsch (0-1) took the loss. Oregon’s loss sets up a rubber match between the Ducks (5-4) and Bulldogs (7-4) on Sunday, starting at noon at PK Park.

Game Story (by Marc Grandi)

Postgame Interviews

Head Coach George Horton