EUGENE, Ore. — Fresh off a weekend sweep of Penn State, No. 13 Oregon baseball returned for a midweek clash against the Gonzaga Bulldogs (27-14, 15-3). Following their dominant weekend performance, the Ducks (32-11, 15-6) climbed six spots in the D1Baseball rankings, currently third in the Big Ten as the regular season nears its conclusion. The Ducks won the game 4-3.
Gonzaga seized early momentum as its lead-off hitter tripled following a missed diving attempt by Jack Brooks in center field. A wild pitch from starting pitcher Michael Meckna allowed the Bulldogs to get the first run on the board for an early lead.
“There’s a reason why they won 14 straight games before this, it wasn’t luck,” head coach Mark Wasikowski said. “They’re an old club, they’ve got some dangerous hitters in that group.”
The Ducks answered back immediately. Brooks hit a double to start off Oregon’s momentum, and Brayden Jaksa reached on a throwing error that advanced both runners into scoring position. With back-to-back RBIs the Ducks claimed the lead as both Brooks and Jaksa scored. That wasn’t enough for Oregon, as on the next pitch, Angel Laya crushed a solo home run into the bullpen, ending the frame with a 3-1 lead.
“Just showing the pitchers that we got their backs,” Brooks said of his leadoff double. “No matter what happens, if that run goes up or it doesn’t, we’re going to try and score with our offense and come out swinging.”
Oregon maintained its momentum in the second inning, loading the bases with only one out. Gonzaga, attempting to get out of the inning, looked to relief pitcher Mickey McClaskey to keep the deficit in check. However, the Ducks managed to drive in another run before the side was retired, extending their lead to 4-1.
Although they excelled on offense, the Ducks faced defensive pressure as they introduced their third pitcher of the game, Cooper Markham, in the third inning. The Bulldogs quickly put two runners in scoring position and cut into the lead, but they still trailed 4-2.
“Every guy we have on our staff is good,” Brooks said. “They all go out there and pitch. They can throw every one of their pitches for strikes and they’re good, it’s fun to watch.”
Both teams shifted into a defensive stalemate throughout the fourth and fifth innings. Neither team was able to add any runs to their tally as Oregon continued to rotate through its bullpen, using a new pitcher every inning to keep Gonzaga from scoring.
Gonzaga narrowed the gap in the seventh after a lead-off home run against the Ducks’ seventh pitcher of the day, Toby Twist.
The Bulldogs loaded the bases in the eighth against Tanner Bradley, but failed to capitalize. Bradley was able to get the final two strikeouts to end the inning with the Ducks barely holding onto a 4-3 lead.
“I wasn’t worried at all,” Laya said. “I know he’s a competitor and he’s been doing that the whole season.”
Seeking to close out the game in the top of the ninth, the Ducks turned to Devin Bell as their last pitcher, who secured the final outs and sealed the win 4-3.
Oregon will head up to Seattle for a rivalry series against the Washington Huskies before returning to PK Park for a two-game midweek series against Grand Canyon University on Tuesday, May 5th at 6:05 PM.