Oregon Ducks Baseball: Ducks rally falls short in Corvallis

Neither starter looked sharp but Ben Wetzler was the better of the opening pitchers in the opening game of the Civil War series as the Beavers withstood the Ducks 3-1. Michael Conforto had a pair of doubles off the fence and Caleb Hamilton had a first home run of the season as Oregon couldn't get anything going until late at Goss Stadium Friday night.

Oregon had the leadoff runner on in four of the first five innings but were unable to bring any around, their biggest threat coming in the 5th when Austin Grebeck started the inning off with a double. The Ducks stranded him at third.

Like Tommy Thorpe, Wetzler didn't have his best stuff. He hit three batters, doubling his amount of HBP on the season. He did; however, going 8+ and keeping the Beaver bullpen off the field and Oregon off the scoreboard.

The Beavers got to Thorpe early, scoring in the first on a sacrifice fly by Dylan Davis before Conforto hit his second double off the wall in the fifth. Thorpe went a total of 6 innings, giving up 7 hits and allowing 5 walks in his appearance.

Oregon threatened late, with a lead off single and double by Kyle Garlick and Nick Catalano respectively. Wetzler was lifted after striking out Shaun Chase on a full count and a ball to Austin Grebeck. Zach Reser came on in relief and walked Grebeck. He had a short leash as coach Pat Casey pulled the plug on his night.

J.B. Bryant drove in Kyle Garlick as he rolled out to second but cracked the goose egg on the scoreboard for the Ducks. With two on, Aaron Payne swung on the first pitch he saw, popping out to Michael Conforto to end the Oregon rally and the game.

The Civil War continues on tomorrow and Oregon will need a win to force a rubber match on Sunday. Jeff Gold will be on the mound for the Ducks as he tries to level the series.