EUGENE, Ore. — No. 21 Oregon and No. 19 Nebraska both came into Sunday’s game looking to end the series 2-1. Oregon looked to have a repeat of its Friday 7-6 win, while the Huskers looked to prevail over the whole weekend after a 10-8 victory over the Ducks. Ultimately, Oregon was the one to come out on top in a 5-4 victory, putting them at 26-10 overall and 10-5 in the Big Ten.
Nebraska came into the day scoring early, with its third batter, first baseman Case Sanderson, scoring a home run. That was all the Cornhuskers were able to put up in the first after pitcher Case Scolari struck out shortstop Dylan Carey to end the inning. After an unsuccessful bottom of the first for the Ducks, the Cornhuskers ended the first on top with a score of 1-0.
Oregon didn’t allow any hits in the first after three strikeouts from Scolari, but one runner left on base after a hit by pitch. The Ducks came into the bottom of the second swinging, with right fielder Angel Laya sending himself and Drew Smith to score after a homerun to right field. Oregon ended the inning 2-1 over Nebraska.
Nebraska came hot into the top of the third after a double by Jeter Worthley brought home Mac Moyer and Rhett Stokes. Worthley then scored on a single by Sanderson. The Ducks were then unable to score in the bottom of the third and left the inning trailing the Huskers, 3-2.
With both teams going scoreless in the fourth and fifth innings and a pitching change at the top of the fourth, the Ducks started the sixth inning with pitcher Tanner Bradley. Oregon came out of the top of the inning without conceding any hits, and the Huskers were unable to make it back onto the board.
Laya did it again for the Ducks, ending the score drought for both teams with a home run to center field, his second of the day. Nebraska had a pitching change, putting in left-handed pitcher Grant Clevinger for right-handed pitcher Cooper Katskee. The Ducks were able to tie it up after a double by catcher Burke-Lee Mabeus, which brought home shortstop Maddox Molony. The Huskers reacted with another pitching change, with right-handed pitcher Gavin Blachowicz. A single by Jack Brooks brought home Naulivou Lauaki Jr. to increase the lead to five heading into the seventh inning.
With his second home run of the day, Laya broke Oregon’s record for a freshman in the season with 11. After the game, head coach Mark Wasikowski described Laya as a “pretty spectacular talent.”
Laya himself stated that he felt “blessed to come with the win” and that he “came into the season just trying to help the team win” and has done exactly that so far.
Neither the Ducks nor the Huskers scored in the seventh or eighth innings; the Ducks ended the game early in the top of the ninth. Oregon came out with its third series win in the conference so far.
The Ducks now head to a neutral site to play against their rivals, the Oregon State Beavers, on Tuesday in another “Civil War” matchup, as said by Coach Wasikowski.