By Kent Williams

Audio story

In the final series of the season at PK Park, the Oregon Ducks(33-21, 16-12 Pac-12) took on the #25 Arizona Wildcats(35-19, 16-12 Pac-12) for a 3-game set as both teams prepare for the postseason. Fortunately for the Ducks, they came out on top in Thursday’s matchup, winning 10-4 due in large part to big innings offensively in the 2nd and 3rd.

Arizona was able to strike first in the top half of the first frame, but the Ducks made a bigger splash in the second, hitting 2-run and 3-run homers courtesy of Anthony Hall and Tanner Smith followed by a couple more runs in the third and fourth innings.

Oregon pitching held strong for the first 7 innings of the game, only allowing 2 runs. The Wildcats would make it interesting in the eighth inning, scoring 2 runs and even getting the bases loaded with 1 out and the tying run at the plate. However, Ducks closer Kolby Somers entered the game in the high-stakes situation and shut it down by striking out the next two batters.

The Ducks would follow that up in the home half with a 2-RBI single from Colby Shade to extend the lead and really put the game away, and Kolby Somers would finish his 9th save of the season with a brisk 9th inning.