Ducks take three of four from Hawaii to kick off 2015 season

The Oregon Ducks baseball team kicked off their 2015 season this weekend with their annual trip to Hawaii. Despite one rough loss, it was still a successful trip as the Ducks took the series, winning three of four against the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors.

Game 1: Oregon 12, Hawaii 0

After slowly building up a 3-0 lead, Oregon's bats came to life in the sixth inning, scoring seven runs to break the game wide open. Phil Craig-St. Louis, a junior college transfer from Seminole State College, had a big debut going 3-for-4 with three RBIs. Matt Eureste, also a JC transfer, led things off with a home run to left field on the game's second pitch. Jakob Goldfarb later added another home run, hit nearly to an identical spot.

Cole Irvin had an impressive return from Tommy John surgery, tossing four innings of shutout baseball, allowing just two hits while striking out four. Conor Harber came on in relief to finishing out the game, going five innings while allowing two hits.

Game 2: Oregon 3, Hawaii 2

Nick Catalano helped lift the Ducks to the win with a two-run home run over the left field wall in the top of the eighth inning, the first home run of the junior's career. True freshman David Peterson delivered a strong outing for the Ducks, going six innings while giving up two runs (one earned) on just two hits while walking two and striking out eight in his collegiate debut.

Game 3: Hawaii 10, Oregon 1

After being blown out in the opening game, it was time for Hawaii's bats to come to life. The Rainbow Warriors scored eight runs in the first two innings, taking control right from the start. Oregon starter Trevor Paddon was pulled from the game during the second inning, forcing George Horton to go to the bullpen earlier than he would've liked to. Mitchell Tolman had Oregon's lone RBI of the day while going 2-for-4 at the plate.

Game 4: Oregon 3, Hawaii 2

In the series finale on Monday, the Ducks found themselves trailing once again late in the game. Oregon rallied for three runs in the ninth inning to come out with a 3-2 win. Stephen Nogosek came up huge for the Ducks out of the bullpen, retiring nine straight batters to keep the game at 2-0 heading into the ninth. After Phil Craig-St. Louis scored on a run-down, Tim Susnara delivered a pinch-hit single to tie the game. Mitchell Tolman gave Oregon the lead with an RBI single, and Garrett Cleavinger held off Hawaii in the bottom of the ninth for the save, wrapping up the series win for the Ducks.

What's next?

The Ducks return to PK Park this week for their home opener against New Mexico State on Thursday to open a four-game series. The second game of the series on Friday at 6 p.m. will be a "white out" with the first 1,500 fans receiving a Nike t-shirt.