Baseball Recap: Dawgs Maul Ducks 12-3

EUGENE, Oregon— This one was over before it even started.

Washington first baseman Willie MacIver hit a grand slam in the top of the first and it was all down hill from there for Oregon, as the Huskies romped to a 12-3 victory Sunday at PK Park.

Spot starter freshman lefty Zack Noll (1-1) got rocked early, giving up six runs on two hits and four walks while striking out three in just two-plus innings. He also provided the rye bread and mustard for MacIver’s Grand Salami (with apologies to the late, great Dave Niehaus):

The bullpen for Oregon (15-6, 4-2) didn’t fare much better, as sophomore lefty Cole Stringer relieved Noll in the third and promptly gave up two more runs on three hits in his inning of work, freshman righty James Acuna gave up another run on two hits in his inning-and-a-third, and the rout was on. All told, the Ducks used seven pitchers before the night was through.

The Ducks’ offense had no answers Sunday, as Huskies’ starter Joe DeMers (3-1) kept them from mounting a rally. DeMers pitched a solid six-and-a-third innings, giving up three runs on five hits while walking two and striking out three. The lone bright spot for the Oregon offense was freshman DH Gabe Matthews who managed an RBI double in the sixth. Washington (14-9, 4-2) also provided some stellar defense to help keep the Ducks at bay:

The Ducks travel north to Portland on Tuesday, for a rare mid-week non-conference game against the University of Portland Pilots at Joe Etzel Field. First pitch scheduled for 6:00 pm.