Big Inning Costly for Cougars

EUGENE, Ore. – Oregon scored five times in the fourth inning and the No. 10 Ducks defeated visiting Washington State 6-3 in Pac-12 baseball at PK Park, Friday.

The Cougars (17-18, 7-7 Pac-12) took a 1-0 lead in the third inning off Oregon (30-10, 9-5) starter Jeff Gold (9-0) on a run-scoring single by Collin Slaybaugh.

Washington State starter Tanner Chleborad (2-4) retired the first nine men he faced before running into trouble in the fourth. A triple and a ground out tied the game. With two outs, the Ducks strung together three-straight singles followed by a walk and a three-run double to take a 5-1 lead.

The Cougars answered in the fifth with two runs to pull within 5-3. Patrick McGrath doubled, Trace Tam Sing was hit by a pitch and Slaybaugh walked to load the bases. Yale Rosen delivered a two-run double, but Slaybaugh was cut down at the plate trying to score from first.

The Ducks scored a run on two hits in the sixth to account for the game’s final run. Jake Reed worked the ninth for his 10th save.

The series concludes, Saturday with first pitch scheduled for 2 p.m.