Oregon (8-1) extended its winning streak to eight with a 5-4 win over Long Beach State (4-5) in the Ducks’ home opener Friday night. Unlike many of the games during Oregon’s lengthy streak, however, this win wasn’t easy, nor did it lack for drama.
With the score tied at 4-4 in the bottom of the ninth, Duck designated hitter Ryon Healy walked to begin the inning. Healy was replaced by pinch runner Vernell Warren, a track athlete in his first year on the baseball team, who advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt.
The next batter, Shaun Heineman, chopped a grounder to Long Beach State shortstop Matt Duffy, who threw wildly to first base. The speedy Warren capitalized on the error and raced around third to narrowly beat the throw home and send the crowd of 1,250 into a frenzy.
The Ducks trailed 3-0 early on after starter Alex Keudell gave up three runs in the first. Keudell eventually settled down, however, and the Ducks scored three in the fourth inning and one in the fifth to take a 4-3 lead. Long Beach State tied the game in the seventh on an RBI single by Ino Patron, setting the stage for Oregon’s dramatic walk-off win.
Oregon reliever Jeff Gold picked up his second win of the season by tossing two shutout innings, while Kyle Friedrichs, the last of six relievers used by the 49ers, was tagged with the loss for Long Beach State.
Oregon will resume its three-game series with the 49ers at 6:00 p.m. tomorrow night at PK Park.