EUGENE, Ore. — Second baseman Ryan Cooney went 2-for-3 with a pair of RBIs, including a sacrifice fly to take the lead in the seventh, and the Oregon Ducks (15–3, 3–1 Big Ten) beat the Indiana Hoosiers 3-2 in the series opener (7–10, 1–3 Big Ten) at PK Park on Friday evening.
The Ducks tied the game in the inning prior as shortstop Maddox Molony hit his fourth home run of the season, a solo shot off the banners in left.
“That’s probably the farthest ball I’ve hit in my life,” Molony said. “I was looking for a fastball up, and that’s what he gave me.”
Will Sanford tossed 6 ⅔ innings and allowed only two runs on three hits while striking out double-digit batters (10) with 111 total pitches. His start ended in a no-decision despite the impressive effort.
“If he’s throwing into the seventh inning every start, I like our chances,” Oregon head coach Mark Wasikowski said. “When you go 6 ⅔ and strike out ten — I thought he pitched exceptionally well.”
The Ducks made sure not to waste Sanford’s excellent outing, as the duo of right-handers Tanner Bradley and Devin Bell pitched a combined 2 ⅓ innings, allowing two hits and striking out three. Bradley (2–0) got the win, and Bell earned his fourth save on the season.
“I trust all of these guys; we have a really good pen,” Sanford said. “There’s going to be multiple guys that come into these situations, and they’re going to win it for us, full confidence.”
Reagan Rivera pitched four shutout innings in the loss for the Hoosiers, allowing one hit and two walks while striking out three. He did so in 64 pitches and lowered his season ERA to 9.98.
Indiana designated hitter Brayden Ricketts went 2-for-4 with a single and a double, and first baseman Jake Hanley went 1-for-3 and scored from third on an RBI single from centerfielder Landen Fry. Hanley advanced to third on another pair of wild pitches from Sanford, who had four on the evening. The Indiana bullpen pitched four innings and allowed all three Duck runs. Left-hander Conner Linn allowed one in the fifth while right-hander Gavin Seebold allowed the other two over the course of the sixth and seventh frames.
The Ducks have a chance to win the series tomorrow, as they take on the Hoosiers in game two of three on Saturday.
What’s Next:
Indiana vs. Oregon Saturday 3/14 - 2:05 p.m. PT