Ducks drop game two at WSU
PULLMAN, Wash. – Washington State built an early lead scoring six runs in the first two innings on its way to an 11-1 win over Oregon on Saturday in Pac-12 Conference action at Bailey-Brayton Field.
The Cougars (20-17, 8-12) evened the series with the Ducks (27-10, 11-6 Pac-12) after Oregon won Friday's series opener 13-0.
How It Happened: Washington State's Kodie Kolden led off the bottom of the first inning with a home run off Oregon starter Cullen Kafka (4-2) in what was a sign of things to come.
The Cougars belted five home runs, including two in a five-run second inning, to overpower the Ducks. Back-to-back home runs, a grand slam and solo shot, in the second followed a Josh Kasevich throwing error, which made all five runs in the inning unearned.
WSU added a solo home run in the fourth and four runs in the sixth, including another solo homer, to build an 11-0 lead.
The Ducks scored a run in the eighth after threatening a number of times during the game. Gabe Matthews picked up the RBI with a walk, after Kenyon Yovan and Aaron Zavala both walked and Josh Kasevich was hit by a pitch to load the bases.
The inning ended with the bases loaded, three of the 11 runners the Ducks left on base including eight in the final four innings.
Box Score Notes: Six different Ducks had a hit, but none had multiple hits … Matthews' RBI was the 125th of his career, just four behind career leader Spencer Steer's (2017-19) 129 … His walk was the 116th of his career, 17 behind all-time leader Guy Krause's (1971-74) 129 … Both Matthews and Tanner Smith doubled for the 16th time this season, tying Tyler Baumgartner (2014) and Danny Pulfer (2011) for fourth on Oregon's single-season doubles list … Zavala walked twice moving his total to 35, tying Matthews (2019) for fifth on the single-season list … Freshmen Scott Ellis and Rio Britton combined to throw a 2.2 scoreless innings to end the game.
On Deck: Oregon and Washington State meet in the rubber match of the series on Sunday at 12:05 p.m. Brett Walker (4-1, 3.67) will pitch for the Ducks, while Dakota Hawkins (3-5, 5.49) gets the ball for the Cougars.