By Liam Baker
In their final midweek game of the season, the Oregon Ducks (32-21) beat the #10 Gonzaga Bulldogs (32-14) 5-4. The win gave the Ducks a season sweep over the Bulldogs. Oregon won the first matchup in Spokane on March 22 by a score of 9-5.
After a scoreless top of the first by Christian Ciuffetelli, the Ducks' offense got off to a hot start in the bottom of the inning. Tanner Smith led off with a single to the pitcher Bradley Mullan. With two outs, Drew Cowley's infield single put runners at the corners. With Josh Kasevich at the plate, Tanner Smith scored on a balk after trying to steal home to make it 1-0. Kasevich followed with a two-run home run off the top of the center-field fence to give the Ducks a 3-0 lead.
The Bulldogs answered back in the top of the second. With Stone Churby on the mound, Dylan Johnson followed a Connor Coballes walk with a double to put runners on second and third. Shea Kramer brought Johnson home with a groundout to Kasevich.
The game remained 3-1 until the eighth inning. Matt Dallas, who came in to get the final out of the seventh inning, gave up a single to Grayson Sterling and hit Coballes. With two outs, Shea Kramer hit a three-run home run to give the Zags a 4-3 lead. The Ducks had a chance to tie it in the bottom half of the inning when Tanner Smith and Colby Shade both singled with one out. But, with two outs and runners on second and third base, Brody Jessee struck out Drew Cowley to end the inning. After a scoreless top of the ninth by Dylan Sabia, Josh Kasevich led off the inning with a single. After Tyler Ganus moved him to second with a sacrifice bunt, Sam Novitske walked which set the stage for Jacob Walsh. Walsh hit a double down the right-field line, scoring two and giving the Ducks another comeback victory.
The victory over Gonzaga moves Oregon to 23-2 all-time against the Bulldogs. The Ducks will be back in action on Thursday as they host the #25 Arizona Wildcats for a three-game series, first pitch is 6 p.m.
Audio Story
Coach Mark Wasikowski Audio
Christian Ciuffetelli Audio
Josh Kasevich Audio
Jacob Walsh Audio