Cardinal Drops Pitcher's Duel

EUGENE, Ore. – Senior Brendan Beck was stellar on Friday night for the Cardinal, but No. 15 Stanford (29-13, 13-9 Pac-12) dropped a 2-1 pitcher's duel to No. 13 Oregon (35-11, 18-7 Pac-12) to open a three-game Pac-12 series from PK Park.

Beck registered his first career complete game in the loss, tossing eight innings and allowing just two runs on four hits with nine strikeouts. The right-hander needed just 93 pitches to traverse the eight frames.

The only damage came from Gabe Matthews, who connected for a two-run homer in the bottom of the seventh to break a scoreless game. The home run was the sixth of the season for Matthews and ultimately handed Beck (6-1) his first loss of the year.

Oregon starter Robert Ahlstrom was also outstanding on Friday night, surrendering just one run on three hits and two walks while striking out 10 batters over 7 1/3 innings to improve to 7-3. The left-hander, who threw 119 pitches, gave up a double to Kody Huff in the eighth, with Huff eventually coming in to score Stanford's lone run on a fielder's choice off the bat of Brock Jones.

Outside of Huff's double, Stanford received singles from Adam Crampton and Drew Bowser.

Oregon closer Kolby Somers pitched the final 1 2/3 innings, allowing a walk with two strikeouts to convert his 10th save of the season.

Stanford will look to even the series with Oregon on Saturday when the two teams meet for a 3:05 p.m. first pitch.