Oregon Ducks Baseball Vs. Washington Huskies Recap: Ducks Big Fourth, Irvin's CG Sweep the Huskies

George Horton found a way to simplify his approach with the Huskies, "You can't lose if you shut them out." With the series already in the bag, Oregon took the field looking for the series sweep against Washington. Cole Irvin scattered 4 hits over his complete game shutout of the Huskies and struck out 11. In back to back games, the Ducks blanked the Huskies, although Oregon was crisper with the bats tonight than last. The complete game for Irvin was the first of his career and said that he didn't expect he was going to go a full nine, "Actually out of the bullpen I felt like crap. After the 8^th Coach Horton came over and said ‘How do you feel?' and I looked at him and said ‘I want it. I want the 9^th. There was something to accomplish.'" The Ducks struck for two in the first and then got four more in the 4^th before cruising down the stretch to come away with a 6-0 victory and a series sweep of the Dawgs. "I don't know if it's retribution or payback or anything like that, it just makes you feel that much better when you're able to accomplish a sweep." Coach George Horton said after the game, "We feel good aout the sweep." Ryon Healy went on to add, "There was definitely a chip on our shoulder from the way we played up there last year."

The Ducks eliminated any chance of another 1-0 outcome in the first inning, scoring twice. In his first action since his concussion, Brett Thomas reached on an error at first base, and the Ducks would make the Huskies pay. Thomas advanced to second on a balk and got singled in by Ryon Healy, who has just been a force in this series. Healy then scored as Steven Packard laid down a tough bunt on a pitch in on his hands giving Oregon the early 2-0 lead.

For the second consecutive game, Josh Graham would double to left field to start an inning. The only difference this time is it wouldn't be the only run the Ducks would score in the frame. Oregon would chase Tyler Davis off the mound bringing in Zach Wright with Graham on third and Aaron Payne on second. He would battle with Connor Hofmann, but Hofmann bested Davis with a double of his own scoring both runners. Ryon Healy and Tyler Baumgartner would also contribute RBIs in the inning to push the game into laugher territory.

The Huskies pitchers would start to get control late in the game, frustrating the Oregon hitters but the damage had been done as Irvin continued to dominate Washington's hitters. Through back to back games, Oregon allowed only 7 hits, much of that behind Oregon's strength on the mound.

Oregon continues to lead the conference, their sole loss in league coming at the hands of USC. They now go on the road to face off against a tough Arizona State in Tempe. Coach Horton was aware of what stands in front of him and his team, "The challenge in Tempe will be significant. Hopefully our pitching can be as good next weekend." Tempe is another hostile environment, but the Ducks seem unwavered by the upcoming challenge. Specifically, Cole Irvin stated, "It's going to be a fun atmosphere. It's going to be hot which will be nice, but it's going to be fun."