EUGENE, Ore. — After winning the Las Vegas College Baseball Classic, the (10-2) Oregon Ducks flocked home to face in-state rival the 18th-ranked Oregon State Beavers at (7-4) on Tuesday, March 3, 2026.
The Beavers took the win 10-6 in the first of three midweek battles between the two rivals this season. It was Oregon State’s first win against the Ducks after dropping six straight since April 27, 2024. Tuesday’s matchup was a gloomy, grey day with a packed PK Park as rival fans across I-5 filled the ballpark.
“Sloppy game. It’s better to win a sloppy game than to lose one,” head coach Mark Wasikowski said. “We walked or hit 11 people in nine innings…We were worse than they were off the mound."
After a first-inning lead-off single, junior Ryan Cooney continued his streak, hitting in every game so far this season for the Ducks. Cooney, a leader on this team, continues to show his irreplaceable value as the lead-off hitter. The Ducks forced 11 pick-off attempts from starting pitcher Connor Mendez in the first, flustering the Beavers’ defense.
After a quick start for the Ducks’ offense in the first, Oregon State’s offense began to heat up. In the third inning, the Beavers’ Paul Vazgues sent a ball into orbit as it landed in the parking lot, answering back to make it 1-1. Beaver freshman Josh Proctor doubled down the right field line for an RBI as senior Jacob Galloway advanced to third; senior Easton Talt scored to take the lead 2-1 in the third inning.
The Beavers took control of the game in the third, limiting Oregon’s offense to a single run through the first five innings; meanwhile, the Beavers’ offensive lineup couldn’t miss at-bats. Oregon’s pitchers allowed seven different Beavers to cross home plate, scoring 10 total runs.
Oregon spent most of the day behind the sticks, relying on its new look bullpen, as the midweek pitchers took the mound. Junior pitcher Miles Gosztola started on the mound for the first time as a Duck, ending with 3 IP, 4 H, 2 R, and 1 K. Sophomore pitcher Michael Meckna replaced Gosztola in the fourth inning for only 2 IP, with 2 H, 3 R, and 3 Ks. Freshman pitcher Josh Hollis took the mound in the sixth inning.
After a brace was seen on the arm of one of Oregon’s best leaders, southpaw pitcher Ian Umlandt, Wasikowski emphasized the importance of others stepping up.
“I think they probably outpitched us today, out-clutched us just enough to win the game tonight,” he said.
For the Beavers’ offense, Proctor was unstoppable with the bat, causing havoc all game long for the Duck defense. Proctor ended the game with three doubles in five trips to the plate, coming around to score one of Oregon State’s runs. Oregon’s pitching staff looks to adjust as last season’s bullpen issues continue to linger into the new season. The Ducks placed six pitchers on the mound Tuesday evening as inconsistent play from the defense caused catastrophic scores from the Beavers.
The Ducks look to get back on track as they flock to Indiana to face the Purdue Boilermakers on Friday for their first Big Ten series of the season.