BSB Story: Free passes, defensive miscues doom Ducks against Trojans

Posted on by

By Liam Baker

Eugene, Ore. — With a chance to pick up their first sweep of Pac-12 play, the Ducks fell to the Trojans 4-2 on Sunday at PK Park. The Ducks allowed just three hits on the day but issued three walks and hit five Trojans which USC capitalized on.

The Ducks got on the board first in the second inning via a Dominic Hellman home run and a bases-loaded walk to Bryce Boettcher but the threat was ended when Bennett Thompson grounded into an inning-ending double play. But, after picking up three hits in the first two innings, the Ducks recorded only two hits the rest of the way and failed to get a hit with a runner on base the entire game.

“I don’t think the offense showed up to play today at the level that they are capable of which was frustrating,” said Head Coach Mark Wasikowski.

Kevin Seitter drew the start for the Ducks and faced the minimum through three innings but gave up a solo home run to Austin Overn in the fourth which cut the Ducks lead in half. In the sixth, Seitter hit Overn to lead off the inning then allowed him to reach second base on a balk. Jacob Galloway brought him home after Hellman was not able to cleanly field a ground ball at first base. With still no outs, Seitter hit Ryan Jackson and a sacrifice bunt moved the runners to second and third. A sacrifice fly brought what would turn out to be the winning run home, but the Ducks were to nab Jackson at third to end the inning. In all, the Trojans took the lead without a hit.

The Ducks had a chance to tie it in the ninth as Chase Meggers walked to lead off the inning but the rally was ultimately stymied by Josh Blum who secured the victory for the visitors.

With the loss, the Ducks have failed to sweep a Pac-12 opponent this season despite winning all five of those series.

“We are right there, we’ve got pieces that are there we are just not able to turn a good team into a great team. You got to have really sustained efforts on weekends to win three games,” said Wasikowski.

The Ducks will fall to 25-10 on the season and 10-5 in Pac-12 play. They will be back in action at PK Park on Tuesday when they host Gonzaga for one game.