Ducks Fall in Corvallis Pitching Duel

CORVALLIS, Ore. — RJ Gordon and Bradley Mullan combined to allow just five hits but it wasn't enough as a pair of Oregon State pitchers combined to toss a shutout in a 2-0 Beavers win on Friday night at Goss Stadium in Pac-12 action.
 
The 18th-ranked Ducks (28-13, 11-8 Pac-12) managed just one hit in the game, a Drew Smith fifth-inning infield hit. No. 13 Oregon State (32-9, 11-7) had just five hits with four of them coming in the first three innings.
 
How It Happened: Gordon (5-4) dominated most of the night allowing just four hits in 6.0 innings of work while fanning a nine. The Ducks' starter gave up leadoff home runs in both the second and third innings as well as a first-inning double and a third inning single.
 
He retired 12 of the 15 batters he faced after the third-inning home run. He struck out five of the last six batters he faced before exiting the game.
 
Oregon State starter Aiden May (3-0) kept the Ducks off balance all night allowing just the fifth inning hit and a walk while striking out 14.
 
Box Score Notes: The last time Oregon was held to one hit was against UC San Diego on May 10, 2022 … It was the first time the Ducks have been shutout since losing to UCLA 16-0 on March 12, 2023 … Gordon's nine strikeouts were one off his career high.
 
On Deck: Game two of the series is Saturday at 6:02 p.m. The game will be televised on ESPN2.