Ducks Drop Series Finale At UCLA
LOS ANGELES – The Oregon baseball team was unable to salvage the series finale against UCLA on Sunday afternoon, dropping a 5-4 decision to the Bruins at Jackie Robinson Stadium.
The Ducks (18-10, 7-5 Pac-12) scored a run in each of the first four innings and took a 4-2 lead into the sixth, but the Bruins (19-8, 7-3 Pac-12) scored twice in the bottom of the frame and then once in the seventh to complete the weekend sweep. Oregon's bats went quiet late in the game, mustering just three baserunners on three walks in the final four innings.
How it Happened: The Ducks jumped out to a 1-0 lead with a run in the first, as Tanner Smith drew a walk, advanced to third on a UCLA error, and came into score on a Brennan Milone RBI groundout.
The Bruins answered with a run in the bottom of the first, but shortstop Josh Kasevich got it right back for the Ducks with a solo homer to lead off the second. Matt Dallas set UCLA down in order in the bottom half thanks to terrific defensive plays from Anthony Hall, Gavin Grant and Jacob Walsh.
Walsh extended Oregon's lead to 3-1 with a two-out, RBI single up the middle in the third, scoring Milone after he and Colby Shade worked back-to-back walks.
UCLA cut it back to a one-run game with a solo home run in the bottom of the third. Oregon once again answered immediately with a long ball, as Anthony Hall led off the fourth with a monster home run onto the roof of the hitting facility in right field.
Oregon's offense was held to a pair of singles the rest of the way, as UCLA relievers Jake Saum and Gage Jump combined for six innings of one-hit, shutout baseball. The Bruins tied it up on a two-out, two-run double in the sixth inning, and then went ahead for good with a solo homer in the seventh.
At the Plate: Milone, Kasevich, Walsh and Hall drove in Oregon's four runs, with Hall hitting his fifth home run of the season and Kasevich launching his fourth. The Ducks were unable to take advantage of seven walks by UCLA pitchers, scattering three singles and two solo home runs.
On the Mound: Dallas made his first career start, allowing two runs on three hits in two innings. Rio Britton and Dylan Sabia each managed to get out of bases-loaded jams in the third and the fourth, helping Oregon hold its early lead. Caleb Sloan allowed two runs in two innings, and Kolby Somers retired six of his final eight batters after surrendering the solo homer in the seventh.
Up Next: The Ducks will return home to host Ball State in a four-game, nonconference series at PK Park beginning Friday at 4 p.m. PT. There will be a doubleheader Saturday beginning at noon, with the series finale set for noon on Sunday.