Baseball Recap: Ducks Split Two With Wazzu

(Editor’s note: we apologize for the lateness and brevity of the following report; the author alleges that this is the result of contracting a severe case of Legionnaire's Disease and being unable to find not only his computer but also his office— however, we have it on good authority that, as today is the author’s birthday, he has spent the weekend in a drunken stupor. Again, our sincerest apologies for what follows.)

MIDDLE-OF-NOWHERE, Washington— The Oregon Ducks and Washington State Cougars split the first two games of their three-game series in Pullman, with Oregon taking the opener 8-2 Friday, while the Cougars clawed back to take the second Saturday 2-1.

In the first game, junior right hander David Peterson (10-2) continued his string of dominant starts, giving up two runs on seven hits while striking out ten and walking two in his seven innings of work. Righties freshman Kenyon Yovan and junior Brac Warren each pitched a scoreless inning to close out the proceedings. A.J. Block (0-2) took the loss in relief. Junior left fielder Taylor Travess hit his first home run of the season, a solo shot in the seventh inning, and there was much rejoicing.

In game two Saturday, sophomore right hander Matt Mercer (5-5) was the hard luck loser despite pitching a six-hit complete game. The score was tied at one going into the bottom of the ninth, when Cougars’ right fielder J.J. Hancock stroked a walk-off single to left field to drive in third baseman Shane Matheny from third with the winning run. For the game Mercer gave up only two runs on the aforementioned six hits while striking out four and walking one. Scotty Sunitsch (2-3) picked up the win in relief. The Ducks’ offense performed their Disappearing Act again Saturday, managing only the single run (an RBI ground out by redshirt senior center fielder Jake Bennett) on four hits, none of which went for extra bases. Oregon batters also wound up with ten strikeouts for the game.

The two teams get together Sunday afternoon for the Rubber Match of the series, with first pitch from Bailey-Brayton Field scheduled for 1:00 pm.