By Liam Baker

EUGENE, OR — In a series that has been full of late inning-drama, Sunday’s game was no different. The Oregon Ducks (16-7) trailed the USC Trojans (14-8) 6-1 after two innings but mounted a furious comeback in the late innings to win 7-6, their eighth come from behind victory of the season.  

The Trojan offense got going early. After a pair of one-out walks by Caleb Sloan, the Trojans got three straight RBI knocks highlighted by a two-run home run by Nick Lopez to give USC a 5-0 lead. The Ducks were able to get one back in the bottom of the inning thanks to an RBI double by Brennan Milone which brought Colby Shade home. Tommy Brandenburg, who hadn’t pitched since March 13, took over for Sloan in the top half of the second but wasn’t able to slow the Trojans down. D’Andre Smith hit one over the left-field wall to make it 6-1, but that was last Trojan to cross the plate. 

Logan Mercado took over for Brandenburg and was able to shut down the Trojan’s offense after their hot start. In 3.2 scoreless innings, he gave up one hit while striking out two which lowered his ERA to 1.46. The Ducks were able to get runners on almost every inning against Trojan’s starter Charlie Hurley but failed to get the clutch hit they needed. The Ducks offensive struggles were highlighted by Jacob Walsh’s bases loaded double play to end the fifth inning after Brennan Milone reached safely on a fielder’s choice.

Once Hurley left the mound for the Trojans, the Ducks' offensive fortunes changed. Colby Shade hit a home run off the left-field scoreboard, his third hit of the game to cut the Trojans’ lead to three. The Trojans brought in pitcher Carson Lambert to face the Ducks in the bottom of the eighth, but the Ducks were able to get to him as well. Lambert came into the game with a 1.85 ERA and had only one home run allowed in 11 appearances but he gave up two home runs on Sunday. Josiah Cromwick launched a game-tying three run home run over the Trojans’ bullpen and Tanner Smith followed two batters later with the game-winning shot. Kobly Somers pitched a perfect ninth inning for the Ducks, picking up his fourth save of the season.

The Ducks will be back in action on Tuesday, March 29th when they look for their fourth straight series win against the USF Dons at PK Park. First pitch is at 4:00 pm.

Audio Story

Coach Mark Wasikowski

Tanner Smith

Josiah Cromwick

Logan Mercado