By Knight Jarecki
For the first time since 2013 #14 Oregon baseball (38-14) hosted an NCAA regional as they won/loss against Central Connecticut (28-14). The game marked the Ducks first postseason appearance since 2015.
The Ducks got on the board first in the bottom of the first inning when Kenyon Yovan hit a towering blast over the left field wall driving in Tanner Smith to give Oregon an early 2-0 lead.
The next inning resulted in more success for the Ducks as Anthony Hall led off the inning by hitting a laser over the right field fence to extend the lead to 3-0. 2 batters later Jack Scanlon ripped a double down the right field line. Scanlon was then advanced to 3rd on a bunt single by Gavin Grant and scored on a passed ball to give the Ducks a 4-0 lead.
The Blue Devils answered back strong in the top of the 3rd inning scoring a run after hitting 3 straight singles to begin the inning and driving in a run to make the score 4-1. After Oregon starting pitcher Cullen Kafka walked the next batter Buddy Dewaine, the Ducks turned a 6-4-3 to get the first two outs of the inning but the play plated another run for CCSU making the score 4-2. Kafka then forced a ground out to end the threat limiting the damage at 2 runs.
Oregon did not go away as Kenyon Yovan hit another bomb, this time over the centerfield wall to extend the lead to 5-2. Anthony Hall later scored a run on a fielders choice giving the Ducks a 6-2 lead after 3 innings.
Top of the 4th inning brought the 4th straight side of scoring as Central Connecticut plated 2 runs on a single and a fielders choice. This led to the end of Cullen Kafka's day as he was replaced by Nico Tellache with 2 outs before Tellache was able to force a ground out to end the side. Kafka allowed 4 runs on 9 hits and a walk while striking out 2 in 3.2IP.
Jack Scanlon lead off the bottom of the 4th with a walk and came around to score after being advanced on a passed ball and 2 groundouts extending the Ducks lead to 7-4.
Central Connecticut State had their 3rd straight 2 run inning during the top of the 5th as Hunter Pasqualini hit a 2RBI single up the middle driving in Torniero and Loda making the score 7-6 after 5 and 1/2.
After Aaron Zavala lead off the bottom of the inning with a ground out, Gabe Matthews walked and Josh Kasevich singled to put 2 runners on. Anthony Hall then went opposite field over the left field fence for his second home run of the game to put the Ducks back up by 4 at 10-6. The Ducks later added a run after Sam Novitske hit a double and was advanced to score on 2 passed balls. This gave Oregon an 11-6 lead after 5 innings.
Isaac Ayon shut the Blue Devils out in the top of the 6th inning marking the first time since the top of the 2nd inning any team did not score. The Ducks then added 2 more runs in the bottom of the 6th as Aaron Zavala led off with a solo shot to centerfield and Anthony Hall singled in another run for his 6th RBI of the day to extend the lead to 13-6.
The Blue Devils then made up for the lack of scoring in the 6th by scoring 4 runs in the top of the 7th on two RBI doubles, one RBI single, and a a throwing error by Josh Kasevich. This made the score 13-10 in favor of the Ducks.
The next two innings both teams were held scoreless and the Ducks held on for the 13-10 victory.
Anthony Hall finished with a team high 6RBIs and had 2 Home Runs. Kenyon Yovan also had 2 home runs adding 3 RBI's in the win. Isaac Ayon was credited with the win and Kolby Somers was credited with the save.
Oregon will host the winner of LSU/Gonzaga Saturday at 7pm in the winners bracket.