Oregon baseball (16-11) started off a four game series tonight against Fresno State (14-9) with a 14-2 loss in the rain. RHP Tyler Frazier (2.45 ERA) had a slow start in the first inning, allowing all of the first three hitters on base. However, with the bases loaded the freshman played damage control, letting only one runner score. Fresno State’s Jamison Hill (3.18 ERA) also had a shaky first inning, allowing Sam Novitske to score off Tanner Smith’s double. But after allowing a run and two hits in as many batters, Hill settled in.

Despite a sloppy first inning, the pitchers were locked in on a wet mound. Both sides went scoreless until the fifth inning when Oregon’s Max Foxcroft singled into centerfield bringing in the tie-breaking run in Cameron Campbell from second.

Then came the sixth inning, where a complete collapse in Oregon pitching led to a total of 14 batters faced, five walks, four hits, and two errors. Four pitchers shared the dreadful inning, starting with Frazier, then Tellache, Chase (who failed to get an out), and ending with Peyton Fuller. This led to eight runs and a strong enough showing to put the Bulldogs out of reach. Ultimately it was a struggling bullpen and quiet bats for the Ducks that led to a frustrating loss in the first game of the series.

Up next, Oregon will look to redeem themselves tomorrow night in the second of four games against the Bulldogs in PK Park. The first pitch is scheduled at 6 p.m., with rain in the forecast.

Audio Story (by Michael Abbott)

Post-game Audio

Head Coach George Horton