Audio story by Max Ragel, written story by Ryan Oppenheimer
EUGENE, Ore. — The Oregon Ducks' complete team effort propelled them to a 10-3 win over the California Golden Bears Sunday at PK Park. The Ducks secured a 2-1 series victory, winning two straight by a combined score of 15-4 after losing 13-1 Friday.
Led by Jacob Walsh, the Ducks' offense jumped on Cal starter Tom Mayer early. Walsh drove home four of the Ducks' 10 runs, including a two-run homer in the first inning. He also added a fourth-inning double before scoring on an Anson Aroz double. In what would be a four-run eighth inning, Walsh and Aroz teamed up a second time with towering back-to-back jacks before Ryan Cooney added a homer of his own.
Quinnipiac transfer Kevin Seitter got the start for Oregon, as he usually does on Sundays. He delivered, striking out six in five innings of action while allowing four hits and a walk. His one earned run came in the third inning when his wild pitch allowed Jarren Advincula to score from third, but he made up for it by executing a perfect pickoff of Rodney Green Jr. later in the inning. Seitter was awarded his second win of the season.
The defense behind Seitter made some spectacular plays, including a third-inning Bryce-Boettcher-esque home run robbery by Justin Cassella in center field. In the fifth, the young middle infield duo of Cooney and Drew Smith made back-to-back highlight stops.
The Ducks' bullpen had a comfortable lead to work with most of the game. Bradley Mullan relieved Seitter and put up a zero in the sixth. Up 6-1, Michael Freund allowed a two-out, two-run triple to Green Jr. in the seventh to cut Oregon's lead to three, but Logan Mercado made sure the Bears wouldn't make the game any closer. He pitched a scoreless eighth and ninth en route to his third save of the year.
With the win, Oregon improves to 12-5 (4-2 PAC-12) while Cal drops to 12-5 (4-2 PAC-12). The Ducks will stay at home through next weekend when they face the Arizona Wildcats (7-10, 2-3 PAC-12).