Written Story By Jakob Salao
Oregon capped off the series against Ball State with a walk-off victory, 7-6 on Sunday. They finish the weekend series with a record of 3-1.
Oregon’s offense was able to start off hot in the 2nd inning after two straight hits off Bargo. After a wild pitch, Hall was able to advance home to put Oregon up 1-0. Bargo’s struggles continued with a walk against Novitske and then an RBI single to left field from Grant to put Oregon up 2-0. Before the inning ended, Bargo gave up another RBI against Smith before finally finishing the inning. Oregon was headed into the top of the third leading 3-0.
Ball State was able to force long appearances at-bat, but couldn’t get much offense against Caleb Sloan pitching. He allowed just 3 hits in the 3 innings he pitched. However, once Stone Churby came in to pitch during the 5th inning, the Cardinal’s offense came to life. Churby gave up a walk, a wild pitch, and hit a batter, eventually being relieved by Rio Britton. Britton struggled to get going once he took the mound. He pitched 11 times against Trenton Quartermaine, ending in a walk. He also gave up a 2 RBI double to Zach Cole, bringing the score to 3-2. Britton would go on to walk two more hitters, one that ended with a score, and gave up another run to a Zach Cole fly-out RBI and Ball State took the lead 3-4
Oregon answered back with a ground-out RBI from Josh Kasevich to tie the game 4-4 in the bottom of the 5th. Ball State was held to no runs in the 6th and 7th, while Oregon was able to score courtesy of a Gavin Grant Homerun in the 6th and a fielder’s error in the 7th to have a 6-4 lead. Ball State kept themselves in the game after hitting 2 home runs in the 8th from Christianson and Peltier to tie the game at 6-6.
Going into the bottom of the 9th, Oregon was able to keep the Cardinals scoreless, and a walk-off RBI single from Ganus sealed the game for Oregon.
Oregon will travel to Washington to take on their next series opponent, University of Washington on April 14-16.
Postgame Audio by Austin Ota
Coach Mark Wasikowski
Closer Kolby Somers
Infielder Tyler Ganus