Rivalry series baseball began in Eugene on Friday as the No. 13 Oregon Ducks (28-12, 14-7 Big Ten) took Game 1 of the four-game set with a 4-2 score against the No. 3 Oregon State Beavers (32-7).

At the top of the eighth, sophomore right-handed reliever Cole Stokes was on the mound for the Ducks. While Stokes was coming off a solid performance the game before, he was in a bind with two runners on. He got ahead 1-2, then slowed, checked the runner on second, and fired his signature heater to ring up the star of the Beavers, junior left fielder Gavin Turley. Stokes had words for Turley as he was fired up heading towards the dugout.

Leading the way for the Oregon offense was sophomore second baseman Ryan Cooney, who was 2-for-4 with a double and two RBIs.

The Ducks were coming off a gut-wrenching 10-9 defeat to the Portland Pilots in a midweek battle on Tuesday. In that game, the Ducks melted down, giving up six runs in the final three innings while blowing a five-run lead. This contributed to more bullpen struggles that Oregon has battled all season

Oregon State got the scoring started in the top of the third when a one-out double from sophomore third baseman Trent Caraway put him in scoring position. After a walk, a single from shortstop Aiva Arquette brought Caraway home from second and put runners on the corners. The runner from third would be plated after a single from Turley made it 2-0 Beavers.

The lead was cut in half at the bottom of the inning after junior center fielder Mason Neville blasted a solo shot that electrified the packed PK Park and made the score 2-1.

While the Neville homer pumped fuel into the crowd, it wouldn’t compare to the pop that came in the fourth inning when the Ducks broke through and took the lead. Junior left fielder Anson Aroz started the rally with a walk and a stolen base to get him on second. Another walk taken by freshman catcher Burke-Lee Mabeus put another runner on, and then a double steal put both runners in scoring position. With two outs, Cooney needed a clutch hit to give the Ducks the lead. 

He delivered.

A double ripped down the right field line as Aroz scored, and Mabeus got on his horse to score as well. Cooney looked to his dugout and pumped his fist. Oregon took the 3-2 lead.

“It’s a lot easier to hit with runners in scoring position,” Cooney said. “I took a pitch to get to two strikes, and they stole second and third. Those guys trusted in me and I trusted in them, so I think it just worked out.”

Both offenses would go silent until the bottom of the seventh when the Ducks were able to get a key insurance run. Ahead in the count 1-0, senior first baseman Jacob Walsh hammered a pitch deep to right field, and all the right fielder could do was watch it fly. Seven innings in, it was 4-2 Ducks.

The spectacular start from Grayson Grinsell (7.0 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 5 K and 117 pitches) would conclude in the top of the eighth when junior left-handed reliever Ian Umlandt took over. 

“He pitched really well,” said Oregon head coach Mark Wasikowski. “He didn’t really want to come out of the game, but it was time, even though he was really in control. We’re not going to do anything irresponsible. Nevertheless, he pitched really well. He was competitive. He was in control of the game. I’m really proud of Grayson.”

Umlandt picked up two outs before giving up a walk and a hit by pitch. Avoiding the risk, Wasikowski made the call and gave the ball to sophomore right-handed reliever Stokes. On four pitches, Stokes rang up Turley via the strikeout and strutted off the mound in confident fashion as he chirped at the Beaver batter.

Senior right-handed reliever Seth Mattox then stepped in for Stokes at the ninth as the Ducks were three outs away. The first two came easily with a groundout and strikeout, but a double from junior center fielder Canon Reeder kept the game alive and put the tying run at the plate. The stress was short-lived, as on three pitches, Mattox forced a groundout that ended the hopeful Beaver two-out rally and secured the Game 1 victory for Oregon.

Also contributing to the Ducks’ offense was Neville, who was 1-for-4 with a homer and an RBI.

The Ducks step right back to PK Park for Game 2 against the same Beavers squad on Saturday, Apr. 26 at 4:05 p.m.

“There’s always room for improvement,” Grinsell said. I’ll definitely look back and see what I can get better at. I feel like we’re in a good spot right now to keep going as a team and hopefully come out of this in a good spot for the postseason.”