SEATTLE, WA.- The No.13 Oregon Ducks came into the weekend with a six-game win streak, after facing off against Gonzaga on Tuesday with a 4-3 win, while Washington (20-24, 9-13) had been on a two-game win streak. Both teams are attempting to secure their spots for the Big Ten Tournament, with Washington looking to stay in the double-elimination bracket, and Oregon (33-11, 15-6) wanting to maintain its place in the single-elimination bracket.
Brayden Jaksa was the first runner on base for Oregon after a hit by pitch. Ryan Cooney was second on base, due to an error by Washington, allowing Jaksa into scoring position. Drew Smith had a sacrifice bunt which brought Jaksa home, but due to a fly out by Angel Laya, the first ended for the Ducks with them in the lead 1-0.
After falling to the Huskies 3-1 at the bottom of the first, the Ducks were unable to score in the top of the second. In the bottom of the second, the Ducks only allowed one score off a wild pitch, where Jackson Hotchkiss went from first base to third, and Ethan Swidler came home.
“We were chasing them from the start of today’s game,” head coach Mark Wasikowski said about the deficit for the Ducks. “But I thought there was a real tale of perseverance tonight.”
Jaksa was hit by another pitch, which allowed him to reach first for the Ducks, but both the Ducks and Huskies went scoreless in the third. Laya reached first on an error at the top of the fourth, and later scored after a hit by Naulivou Lauaki Jr. The Huskies ended the fourth scoreless.
After both teams went scoreless for three innings, the Ducks were able to put Cooney on first with a walk. A hit to right field by Laya allowed Cooney to advance into scoring position. Laya then stole a base after a wild pitch while Cooney advanced to third. The Ducks reclaimed the lead 5-4 after a three-run home run by Burke-Lee Mabeus.
“Chasing two there,” Mabeus said in response to his homer. “I came up with two runners in scoring position, and I'm just trying to put a good swing on the ball. And my teammates already did the hard work with getting runners on.”
The Ducks then increased the lead after Lauaki Jr. hit a 433-foot solo home run. Washington was unable to follow that inning and ended the game with the Ducks winning 6-4.
“This team, it's a phenomenal culture right now,” Lauaki Jr. said. “ All of us are bonding really well. We all love each other. There are no problems, and we all get along really well, especially going into the series, coming off a good series win, and a good midweek win.”
The series continues on Saturday, May 2nd, with the Ducks looking to continue the win streak, and the Huskies looking for a win during the home series.