Baseball Recap, Civil War Mark III: Beavers Toss Shutout, Sweep Series

EUGENE, Oregon— Someone needs to put Oregon’s offense on the side of a milk carton, as it’s definitely gone missing.

The Ducks were shutout for the first time this season, managing just three hits in dropping the Civil War series finale to the number one ranked Oregon State Beavers in an ignominious fashion Saturday by the final score of 1-0.

Beaver starter Jake Thompson (11-0) buzzed through the Oregon offense like so many poplar sapplings, allowing just three hits while striking out five and walking two in his six-and-two-thirds scoreless innings of work. Brandon Eisert picked up where Thompson left off, pitching two-and-one-third innings of hitless relief to pick up his fourth save of the season.

Oregon’s offense was once again AWOL Saturday, as the Ducks failed to advance a base runner beyond second base in their worst performance of the season. For the series, the Ducks were held to just five runs on nineteen hits, and but three extra-base hits, all doubles.

Oregon State’s lone run came courtesy of an RBI single off the bat of shortstop Cadyn Grenier in the fourth inning.

Sophomore right hander Matt Mercer (5-6) was the hard-luck loser for Oregon, allowing only the one run on eight hits while striking out five and walking four in his six innings of work. Right handers senior Cooper Stiles, junior Brac Warren, and freshman Kenyon Yovan held OSU (41-4, 24-3) in check through the final three innings, shutting out the Beaver offense and only allowing one base hit, but Oregon’s offensive woes meant that it was all for naught, as Oregon (26-21, 9-15) dropped it’s sixth game in a row, and fourth PAC-12 Conference series out of the last five. The loss also marks the first time Oregon State has swept the Ducks at home since 2009.

Next up for Oregon, a home non-conference date with the Loyola-Marymount Lions on Wednesday at PK Park. First pitch is scheduled for 6:00 pm.

Game notes: through 47 games, Oregon is now ranked either last or second from last in the PAC-12 Conference in team batting average (.256), slugging percentage (.347), runs scored (216), hits (388), RBIs (195), doubles (64), home runs (16), and total bases (526)... freshman infielder Spencer Steer is the only Duck to lead an offensive category, tied with Zack Moeller of Utah with most times being hit by a pitch with 12... Thompson’s 11th win broke a tie with Oregon junior David Peterson for most wins by a pitcher in the PAC-12.