By Kent Williams

Audio Story

Facing off against the #13 UCLA Bruins(11-3, 1-1 Pac-12) for game 2 of their conference opening series, the Oregon Ducks(9-4, 1-1 Pac-12) took the loss 8-7 to split the series going into Sunday's finale. Taking the loss for the Ducks was righty Leo Uelmen(1-2, 4.42 ERA) in his 4th start of the season. Opposing Uelmen for the Bruins was righty Alonzo Tredwell(3-0, 1.59 ERA), a top ranked draft prospect who showed the Ducks why he is so highly regarded.

After Friday's great pitching performance from the Ducks, game 2 was a different story. As a unit, Oregon would give up 4 home runs to the Bruins, while also walking 5 and hitting 3 more batters. UCLA got to Uelmen early with a home run from Duce Gourson in the 2nd inning, and another in the 4th from JonJon Vaughns. Things really unraveled in the 5th inning for the Ducks starter, giving up a 3-run longshot that would end his outing, finishing with a line of 4+ IP, 5 ER, 6 H, 1 K, and 1 BB. Coming first out of the pen was fellow freshman Matthew Grabmann, who would pitch 2.2 innings of 1 run ball. Dylan McShane would follow him up, going an inning and allowing a 2-run shot to extend the Bruins lead to 8-2. Closing out the game for Oregon was lefty Ian Umlandt, throwing a scoreless 1.1 innings.

Offensively, the Ducks were held in a funk by Tredwell, not getting their first base knock till the 4th inning when Sabin Ceballos laced a single through a gap. Bennett Thompson got the scoring going in the 5th for the Ducks with an RBI double, and the 6th inning would bring Oregon their second run via a wild pitch. Sabin Ceballos was the one scoring that run, and on the day he had 3 hits as well. The Ducks would threaten again in the 8th inning, loading the bases but pinch hitter Dominic Hellman would ground out to end the threat. Finally things came together for Oregon in the 9th, scoring 5 runs to get within striking distance including three straight home runs from Ceballos, Cowley, and Walsh. Unfortunately for the Ducks, it wasn't enough to complete the comeback.

Next up for the diamond Ducks will be game 3 of the UCLA series at PK Park, with first pitch scheduled for 12:05 pm.

Postgame Interview

Coach Mike Wasikowski