Written Story by Alex Roth

The Oregon Ducks baseball team suffered a close 7-5 home loss to the UCSB Gauchos Sunday afternoon at PK Park. The loss gives the Ducks a series split with the Gauchos after the Ducks won the first two games of the weekend but could not secure a series win. The Gauchos would jump out in front early on, scoring 3 runs in the first inning when Ducks’ pitcher Tommy Brandenburg hit the first two batters he saw and then walked two more to bring in a run for the Gauchos. UCSB would then capitalize with runners in scoring position when Leo Mosby hit a two run double, bringing the UCSB lead to 3-0.

Oregon would strike back in the third inning, adding two runs courtesy of a Brennan Milone groundout and Jacob Walsh RBI Double. Jordan Sprinkle would extend the UCSB lead back to 2 with a solo home run in the top of the 5th inning, but a Tanner Smith solo shot and a Jacob Walsh RBI double in the bottom of the 5th inning would tie the game up at 4. Christian Kirtley would single home the go ahead run for UCSB and John Newman Jr. would add another in the top of the 6th inning for the Gauchos to reclaim a 6-4 lead. Drew Cowley would trim the lead to 1 in the bottom of the 7th inning with an RBI single, but a solo shot from Christian Kirtley in the top of the 8th would give UCSB a 7-5 lead, which would be the final score.

Tommy Brandenburg and Christian Ciuffetelli struggled on the mound for the Ducks, each allowing 3 runs for a total of 6 runs given up between the two, accounting for the majority of UCSB runs scored. The Ducks offense still turned in a strong performance, tallying 10 hits and five runs. The Ducks did leave runners in scoring position with a key example being Drew Cowley flying out in a bases loaded situation to end the 8th inning. 

Oregon falls to 7-5 on the season and has now lost two in a row after winning their previous seven games entering Saturday. The Ducks will look to get back on track when they host the Portland Pilots on Tuesday afternoon at PK Park. You can find live coverage of that one on twitter at KWVA Sports.

Audio Story by Levi Profitt