EUGENE, Ore. — In the opening game of a high-stakes final regular-season series at PK Park, No. 16 Oregon Ducks hosted the No. 17 USC Trojans on Thursday night. After a tough series loss against UCLA last weekend and dropping in the rankings, the Ducks (36-14, 18-9) needed a series victory to lock down a top-four seed before heading to Omaha for the Big Ten Tournament. The Trojans (41-12, 19-8) currently trail Oregon by one game in the standings, so the series is crucial for both teams. After a tough game that led into extra innings, USC took the win 2-1 in the eleventh inning.
USC struck first in the second inning. Following a sacrifice bunt by Jack Basseer, Drew Smith elected to take the out at first base, allowing a Trojan runner to cross the plate. With another runner advancing into scoring position, Smith escaped further damage and caught a line drive to get the final out. The inning ended with USC in the lead after the Ducks couldn’t score in the bottom of the inning.
The Ducks missed a prime opportunity for a counterattack in the third. Ryan Cooney sparked the offense after a double down the right field line, putting two runners in scoring position with no outs. However, the Ducks were unable to capitalize on it as the Trojans pitching staff struck out the last three batters as they continued to hold the lead 1-0.
Toby Twist came from the bullpen in the sixth inning to relieve starting pitcher Cal Scolari, who delivered a stellar performance, racking up five strikeouts while only allowing one run.
“He’s been our best,” head coach Mark Wasikowski said on starting Scolari. “Ever since he got sick, we’ve tried to build up his pitch count, and now we’re building it back up to where he can be effective for starting. Hopefully, he can continue to build up his pitch count for the weeks to come.”
USC’s defense remained strong as the Trojans continued to stifle Oregon’s bats, shutting out the Ducks through six complete frames as they protected their narrow lead.
In the seventh inning, the Ducks intensified the pressure, forcing the Trojans to burn through two relief pitchers in the inning. A fielding error by the USC third baseman gave the Ducks the momentum, putting runners on first and second as Cooney came up to bat. Cooney put up a fight with four foul balls, but it wasn’t enough as USC recorded the final out, extending Oregon’s scoreless drought to seven straight innings.
The Ducks got caught in a tough situation in the eighth inning after turning to reliever Tanner Bradley to replace Twist. USC quickly threatened to break the game open with a single, a hit-by-pitch, and a walk to load the bases with two outs. With a need to escape the situation, Bradley dialed in and struck out the final batter, sending the crows into a frenzy as Oregon escaped the jam unscathed.
“People in Eugene are sports fans, Oregon Ducks fans,” Wasikowski said. “These people want a good product, and they know that we’re a good product. I think the fans are smart enough to go, ‘Wow, these guys are really good.’ I want them to support a good team and watch a good game.”
Down to the final three outs and searching for their first run of the game, the Ducks found life in the ninth inning. Designated hitter Naulivou Lauaki Jr. crushed the very first pitch he saw, launching a solo home run into the bullpen to ignite the crowd and tie the game. Looking to capitalize, Burke-Lee Mabeus followed with a single. However, the rally was quickly snuffed out as the Trojans got a double play after a hit by Maddox Molony and then caught Jack Brooks trying to steal second as the game went into extra innings.
“We told them flat out, we’re not taking here,” Wasikowski said, “We want you to drive it away, and he executed it perfectly, so credit to Junior.”
In the eleventh inning, USC leadoff hitter Isaac Cadena hit a solo home run to turn momentum back onto the Trojans. With back-to-back singles to start off the bottom of the eleventh, the Ducks put two runners on as the Trojans began to scramble and put in Adam Troy as relief pitcher. Both runners advanced into scoring position after a wild pitch, and Mabeus intentionally walked as bases became loaded.
The Ducks were unable to maintain the momentum as USC got the last two outs to secure the win 2-1.
“Very good college baseball game all around,” Wasikowski said. “They wanted it really bad, and there’s a level when you say go for it, and there’s a level that goes for it too much.”
The Ducks are back to play game two against the Trojans on May 15th, at 6:05 at PK Park.