Written Story By Wilder Lewis
The Ducks opened up their home season with a 4 game series vs Lafayette this weekend at PK Park. After the Ducks had everyone in the lineup record a hit last night they were able to claim the first game for 4 by a score of 17-3. Both teams met back up today in sunny Eugene for a double header in which Oregon were able to control a good portion of.
In the first game of the day the Ducks came out flying as leadoff batter Justin Cassella drove a big shot out for a lead off HR. The offense didn’t slow there however as Oregon had two 6 run innings in the 3rd and 5th. The latter of which was capped off by Cassella’s second HR of the night this time being a 3 run shot giving him 5 total RBI’s on the night. Offense wasn’t the only factor for the Ducks in this one though as sophomore pitcher Grayson Grinsell was on the mound for Oregon and he had himself a new career day. Grinsell recorded 10 strikeouts in only 4 innings pitched while only letting up one hit before being taken out in the 5th. This equaled his career high in innings pitched and became a new career high in strikeouts as previously the most he achieved was 7.
Lafayette was able to make it a little bit closer towards the end of the game racking up 2 runs in the 6th thanks to a big HR from Petrone and then another late consultation run right at the end with bases loaded in the 9th. Relief pitchers Featherston and Goodson however were able to limit the Leopards to just that as they both came up clutch when it mattered to finish off the first game. In the second game of the doubleheader Oregon were able to shut down the Leopards early as freshmen pitcher Toby Twist started on the mound for the Ducks. Twist got through 4 scoreless innings, setting a new career high for innings pitched, before being taken out for senior Michael Freund who ended with the win after pitching just over 2 innings.
As far as offense is concerned for the Ducks in game 2 it was a bit of a slower outing only scoring 7 runs on the whole game. Jeffery Heard was the big hitter for Oregon in the second stretch as he was able to get 3 hits in 4 at bats and notched his first HR in a duck jersey. Heard finished with 3 RBI’s on the day only trailing the prior mentioned Cassella and Jacob Walsh who both finished with 5. The Leopards were able to make it a close one late for the Ducks as in the top of the ninth Oregon found themselves on defense with bases loaded and no outs. Luckily veteran pitcher Logan Mercado was able to ease his nerves and throw back to back massive strikeouts to end the game for the Ducks.
Oregon will be back at PK Park tomorrow afternoon at 4pm to finish off the last game in the series vs Lafayette. The Ducks will also be trying to add to their growing win streak which sits at 3 going into tomorrow’s game. KWVA will be at the game giving you live tweets and updates during the game so stay tuned. Until then I will say Sayonara.
Audio Story By Max Ragel