Written and Audio Stories by Austin Ota

The Oregon Baseball team dominated from the first pitch, scoring in bunches and pitching their way to a victory over the Portland Pilots, 18-2. Following a four-game weekend series, Oregon decided to trot out true freshman Jacob Hughes, and he delivered in a big way. For a team that has struggled with command issues throughout the season, Hughes mixed a high-80's fastball with a solid, diving curveball and a timely splitter to three shutout innings. More than this, he limited hard contact, allowing just three seeing-eye singles. He also worked efficiently, finishing his three innings with just 34 pitches thrown. Following Hughes, Dylan Sabia, Logan Mercado, Scott Ellis, and RJ Gordon combined for 6 innings of two run ball, allowing just five hits and one walk.

Offensively, there were strong showings up and down the lineup, but the man at the top set the table the entire night. After beginning the season cold, it seems like leadoff hitter Tanner Smith is turning his season around. The preseason third-team All-American went 3-3, launching a solo shot over the right field fence and playing tremendous defense in left field. Oregon also got big games from Drew Cowley (3-6), Jacob Walsh (2-6, 3 RBI), and Jack Scanlon, who hit his first home run of the 2022 season. However, the most unexpected offensive contributor was backup utility infielder Tyler Ganus. The second-year music major came off the bench for two big knocks, the first an RBI single, and the second a booming home run for his first of his career.

Oregon will look to ride this momentum as they begin PAC-12 play this weekend. Traveling to Palo Alto to face #2 Stanford is going to be a challenge, but Oregon has played extremely competitive baseball and will look to dethrone the Cardinal, who were picked to win the league before the season.

Postgame Audio

Coach Mark Wasikowski

Starting Pitcher Jacob Hughes

Left Fielder Tanner Smith