Baseball Recap: Mercer Tosses Gem, Neuters Huskies 1-0

EUGENE, Oregon— Matt Mercer pitched seven shutout innings, and Gabe Matthews again provided the offense, as Oregon shut down Washington in game two of their three-game series 1-0 Saturday at PK Park.

Mercer, the sophomore right hander who grew up in the shadows of the University of Washington in nearby Lacey, was spectacular in winning his fourth game of the season, allowing only six hits and one walk while striking out seven. The bullpen provided their usual stellar support, as senior righty Connor Zwetsch pitched a perfect eighth, and freshman right handed closer Kenyon Yovan, despite having rare control problems, tossed a scoreless ninth to pick up his eighth save of the season.

Oregon’s offense was all but absent on the night, as Washington (13-9, 3-2) starter Chris Micheles (1-1) and long reliever Noah Bremer limited the Ducks to just four hits for the game. But the run-scoring double by the freshman DH Matthews in the bottom of the first was just enough on a night when the pitching of Oregon (15-5, 4-1) was on point.

The Ducks and Huskies conclude their three-game series with a mid-afternoon tilt Sunday, with first pitch from PK Park scheduled for 2:00 pm.

Game notes: Oregon has now won nine of their past ten games, and currently stands in second place behind only Oregon State in the PAC-12... Mercer lowered his season ERA to a stingy 1.49, good for third overall in the conference... Yovan and his eight saves continues to lead the PAC-12...