Written Story by Wilder Lewis
Oregon take on the Portland Pilots in a midweek match up Tuesday night at PK Park. Oregon on a 9 game win streak looks to stay hot and add one more. Portland on the other hand look to get things back on track as they have dropped 3 of their last 4 game. However, things didn’t start too well for the pilots as the first 2 batters got out and then LF Scavotto got stranded at first after Toglia went down swinging. The Ducks went on to capitalize on this as Sabin Ceballos hits a massive moonshot of a 3 run HR to give Oregon a 3-0 lead at the end of the 1st.
Following a scoreless 2nd inning from both teams, Portland was able to get things back on track as Jake Holcroft, following back to back flyouts, had a rocket of a HR sending the ball into the parking lot, but the Ducks had yet another answer. After back to back walks Cowley and Ceballos found themselves on first and second. Then Smith had an RBI single allowing Cowley to score, giving Oregon the 4-1 lead. Thompson then had a huge line drive shot down the 3rd base line for an RBI double which allowed both Ceballos and Smith to score, increasing the lead to 5.
After this Oregon never looked back as another scoreless inning from the Pilots lead to the Ducks scoring again in what seemed to be identical fashion as Cowley and Ceballos were walked again, and then Smith had another RBI single allowing Cowley to score and increase the lead to 7-1. It was pure dominance from the mound by Turner Spoljaric as he went nearly 1-2-3 for the next 3 innings as he only allowed one hit through the entire stretch. In this time Oregon kept attacking, getting multiple hits and walks, but the Ducks were unable to convert any more into runs, at least until the 7th inning.
In the 7th Walsh found himself on 3rd after a ground out and then a single by Jaha. With runners on the corners the Pilots pitcher Carter Gatson had a balk allowing Walsh to score from 3rd and Jaha advanced to 2nd. Then after a Grant fly out, Nishida had an RBI double to left field and Jaha scored, giving Oregon a 9-1 lead at the end of the inning. The Ducks then promptly closed things out with good pitching from both Dylan McShane, and Jacob Hughes.
The Ducks were able to continue their win streak making it 10 in a row. They manage to keep momentum at a perfect time as they go into a weekend series against bitter rivals Oregon State. The games will be Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at PK Park, Eugene Oregon. Stay tuned to KWVA for all the updates.