Oregon Ducks Baseball: Ducks Come Through When it Counts, Sweep Cougs

Though much of the game, Oregon found themselves unable to get to starter Jason Monda. Monda allowed just one hit through five innings but gave up a pair of runs in the 6^th as the Ducks won a squeaker 2-1 to sweep the series from the Cougars Saturday afternoon. Trent Paddon got his first career win and had a career high 6 strike outs and was just good enough for the Ducks to come away with the W.

Having only tallied a single hit in 6 innings, the Ducks looked like they were in a bit of trouble when Washington State plated the game's first run in the top of the sixth. The Ducks needed to get something going with Shaun Chase at the plate and he came through as the first base runner for the Ducks since the second inning.

After a pair of outs advanced Chase to third, A.J. Balta brought him around with a double down the first base line. A single through the left side would plate the go ahead run from Tyler Baumgartner giving Oregon a lead they would not relinquish.

"With two outs, I usually just roll over to second. I couldn't do that. I had to try and square a ball up, get the run home," said Balta.

Oregon caught a big break in the eighth inning when a single to center looked to plate the game tying run. However, a heads up play Austin Grebeck threw out Nick Tanielu at second after he rounded second instead of sticking at the bag. Michael Monda was rounding third and heading for the plate but the home plate umpire declared the run had not scored before Tanielu was tagged out preserving the lead.

"It had to be a perfect throw to home so [second] was the best chance I had of at least ending the inning," said Grebeck, "before the play I was thinking home but knew I could have a safety valve at second."

In comparison with the way the first two games of the series, Oregon had to find a way to win ugly. They only mustered 4 hits throughout the game and consistently did just enough to come out with a win. The Ducks benefited from bother Arizona State and Washington losing their games, getting Oregon a game closer to the top of the conference standings while Oregon State was idle this weekend.

The Civil War is up next for the Ducks and coach Horton isn't taking any of it for granted,

"Momentum is as good as the next starting pitcher. They have a starter named Ben Wetzler who is pretty good and that momentum will end when the anthem plays there," said Horton.