Middle Innings The Difference As UW Drops Rubber Match To No. 23 Oregon

SEATTLE – Washington held a brief lead on Sunday but couldn't hold it against No. 23 Oregon, falling 5-3 in the series decider at Husky Ballpark.
 
Spencer Dessart took the loss, allowing four runs over 4.1 innings. Josh Emanuels returned to the UW bullpen, joining Grant Cunningham with a scoreless frame of relief.
 
Oregon grabbed an early lead with two runs in the second, but Washington punched right back with three in the home half.
 
The rally started with two outs as Cooper Whitton shot a single down the right field line before Michael Brown came through with a memorable Senior Day moment. Playing for the first time since suffering a torn meniscus on April 5, Brown sent a single the other way, setting up runners at the corners.
 
Colin Blanchard chased in, ripping a double to right-center to bring home two and tie the game and Sam DeCarlo followed with a double of his own down the left line, plating Blanchard and putting UW up 3-2 after two.
 
However, the Ducks would play Senior Day spoiler, tying the game right back up on an RBI single in the third and adding single runs in the fifth and seventh to claim the game and the series.
 
With its home schedule concluded, Washington will hit the road for a midweek matchup at Portland Tuesday at 4 p.m. PT. The game will be available for streaming on ESPN+.
 
DAWG BITES
• Sam DeCarlo hit safely for the eighth straight game, while Cooper Whitton extended his hitting streak to seven games
• Michael Brown received a Senior Day start, returning to the Husky lineup for the first time since April 5
• Josh Emanuels made his first appearance since the third weekend of the season on Feb. 23

For more information on the UW baseball team, follow @UW_Baseball on Twitter and Instagram.