The Oregon Ducks lost an 8-5 thriller Sunday afternoon against the Stanford Cardinal. In a game that had heavy Pac-12 implications, the Ducks offense went cold for the final 9 innings of play and ultimately cost the Ducks some ground in an intense Pac-12 title race.

The first third of the game was all Oregon. Stanford starter Quinn Matthews only lasted a third of an inning as he struggled with command and loaded the bases. The Ducks were only to score one from that opportunity but got plenty more chances to tack on runs as the game continued. 

Aaron Zavala knocked in a pair with a single, and Josh Kasevich hit a solo shot to extend Oregon's lead to 4. Tanner Smith continued his stellar campaign, as he broke the single-season Oregon record for doubles in a season which pushed the Duck's lead to 5. Stanford had already recycled 4 pitchers by the 3rd inning, and the 5 run margin looked like Oregon was cruising to an emphatic victory at PK Park. The Cardinal had other plans, however.

Stanford gradually chipped away at Duck starter Brett Walker and gained 2 runs back in the 4th. In the 6th, Stanford was finally able to knock Walker out of the game, and a two-run single by Nick Brueser cut the deficit to just one. Adam Crampton was able to tie the game with a single of his own, and the once lengthy lead Oregon got out to officially evaporated. 

Both teams squandered chances as the game went along, and neither side was able to pull out in front. The game needed extras to decide who won the series and got a crucial win in Pac-12 play.

It was in the 12th when Stanford finally gained the edge and blew the lid off the game. The Cardinal scored 3 runs in the frame, including a two-run shot from Christian Robinson. Oregon couldn't muster up any offense in the bottom of the frame and lost by the final score of 8-5. The Ducks failed to win the weekend series, and are left with a lot of “what ifs” after blowing the early 5 run lead.

The Ducks and coach Mark Wasikowski now shift their attention to their 3 game road trip against the Cal Golden Bears. Oregon now needs to sweep their final series if they want a chance at claiming a share of the Pac-12 regular-season crown with Arizona.