Oregon Ducks Baseball Vs. UCLA Bruins Recap: Heineman's Triple Bounces Bruins, Ducks Avoid Sweep

Oregon needed a win today to avoid getting swept for the first time this season and they responded coming away with a win in the series finale against the UCLA Bruins, 5-3. "These guys amaze me, they're not afraid to get up off the deck and do something. The way they responded is pretty spectacular." said Coach Horton about the game and the series. The Ducks got another solid pitching performance from Jake Reed and a 3 RBI triple from Scott Heineman to capture the victory and avoid the sweep. Oregon worked well late in their innings, scoring 4 of their 5 runs on two out rallies.

UCLA was first on the board again as Brenton Allen doubled in Shane Zeile in the third. Jake Reed was able to get out of the inning without too much more damage though, retiring the next two batters. Unlike the last two nights, the Ducks responded. In a two out rally, JJ Altobelli walked and was driven in with a hot shot through the middle by Aaron Payne to tie the score. The RBI by Payne ended a UCLA streak of more than 28 consecutive innings without allowing a run.

Both teams would put up crooked numbers in the fifth as a fielder's choice and an Eric Filia single brought in a pair for UCLA. Altobelli would walk and then score on a fielder's choice to draw Oregon within one. After a Mitchell Tolman walk, Scott Heineman would drive the first pitch he saw deep to right center for a two out, bases clearing triple to put Oregon up 5-3. "I saw fastball, Ryan Deeter is a dominant pitcher and I was just trying to put a good swing on it and it ended up working out." Scott Heineman said on the hit. "I felt like I owed Jake. Jake dominated today. I made an error in error that hurt us a little bit." Scott Heineman said about his game winning triple.

After plating two in the fifth, UCLA would not muster another hit for the remainder of the game. Reed finished the sixth before turning it over to a combination of Christian Jones, Garrett Cleavinger and Jimmie Sherfy for the save. "Jimmie has been spectacular...that's a big league save guy that we saw today right there."

Oregon heads up to Portland for one game on Tuesday, with Cole Wiper getting the start. After that, it's back home for the weekend series with Stanford coming to town. The Ducks stay in tight with Oregon State in the race for first in the conference. Oregon as played one more series in conference than both OSU and UCLA.