Oregon baseball worked its way out of multiple jams and made the most of its opportunities as the Ducks completed a two-game midweek sweep of Gonzaga Wednesday night at PK Park with a 2-1 win over the Bulldogs.
“We found a way to win,” head coach George Horton said.
The Zags were able to load the bases three times against Oregon’s starter Jacob Corn (3-0), but the freshman left-hander tightroped his way out of danger in nearly every frame, allowing just one run on five hits and two walks in 4.1 innings pitched.
“Throw strikes and let my defense work,” Corn said, referencing his plan to dodge the Gonzaga offense. “They worked.”
Oregon (31-22) turned three clean double-plays and stranded six Gonzaga (23-26) baserunners in the process.
“We’re a pitching and defense team,” Horton said. “When that went sideways, I think there was a little panic. Our hitters tried too hard and got off their plan, so it’s nice to see that come back.”
Gonzaga’s starter Calvin LeBrun settled into an early groove and pitched 5.2 shutout innings before Oregon’s designated hitter Phil Craig-St. Louis grooved a 2-out 2 RBI double down the right field line to give the Ducks a 2-1 lead.
Conor Harber (4-2), who was removed from Oregon’s rotation after failing to produce in his stint as Oregon’s Saturday starter, replaced Corn and pitched 2.1 innings of scoreless relief to pick up the win.
“We need him in the stretch drive if we’re going to get the opportunity to play beyond our 60 games,” Horton said. “It frustrates you whenever any of your players underachieve or hit a slump, but … hopefully that will be the start of some bigger and better things for him.”
Stephen Nogosek recorded up the last out in the seventh and pitched a scoreless eighth inning before turning the game over to Garrett Cleavinger in the ninth, who picked up the save (8).
Craig-St. Louis finished with a 2-3 night with 2 RBI and a walk.
Oregon will head to rainy Salt Lake City for a weekend series with Utah as the Ducks try to make up for lost ground in Pac-12 play and pick up a postseason bid.
Follow Josh Schlichter on Twitter @joshschlichter