Baseball fans packed PK Park on a sunny Friday night to watch the then no.8 Ducks take down the the Washington State Cougars 6-2 to open up a three game series in Eugene. The Cougars fought back on Saturday and Sunday, beating Oregon 8-3 and 10-6. The Ducks host Oregon State on Tuesday in a non-conference match up at 6 P.M. at PK Park.
Oregon 6, Washington State 2 – Friday, April 20, 2012
The Ducks struck early against the Cougars Friday evening at PK Park with a 2-run triple by RF Kyle Garlick. They kept it going in the bottom of the forth as Garlick hit a solo shot to lead off the inning followed by 3 more runs to bring the lead to 5-1. Oregon relievers Tommy Thrope and Jimmie Sherfy held Washington State in check to seal the victory by striking out 5 batters over 2 innings.
The Ducks celebrate a productive 4th inning against Washington State on Friday night, scoring 4 runs and helping them take the victory. (Jeff Matarrese/Oregon Daily Emerald)
Washington State outfielder Kyle Johnson comes in to score a run against the Ducks on Friday, April 20, 2012. (Jeff Matarrese/Oregon Daily Emerald)
Oregon’s Kevin Shepherd is tagged out as he over-slides second base on Friday night against the Cougars. (Jeff Matarrese/Oregon Daily Emerald)
Duck infielder Thomas Walker celebrates a hit against Washington State on Friday night. (Jeff Matarrese/Oregon Daily Emerald)
Oregon’s Kyle Garlick led the Ducks to victory on Friday, April 20 against the Cougars going 2-3 at the plate with 3 RBIs and one home run. (Jeff Matarrese/Oregon Daily Emerald)
Oregon’s Aaron Payne steps on second base as Cougar Ian Sagdal slides. (Jeff Matarrese/Oregon Daily Emerald)
The Ducks sing the fight song with the crowd after Friday night’s win against the Washington State cougars. (Jeff Matarrese/Oregon Daily Emerald)
Oregon 3, Washington State 8 – Saturday, April 21, 2012
The Ducks looked like they would take care of the Cougars again on Saturday, dropping two runs in the three innings and scoring 3 in the bottom of the third to take the lead. Excellent pitching by Jake Reed shut Washington State’s offense down through the seventh inning. Reed, who went seven complete innings with no walks, and only 2 runs on 6 hits, was removed at the beginning of the eighth and the flood gates were opened. The Ducks pitching staff allowed a 6-run eighth inning, which they were unable to recover from offensively in their 8-3 loss.
Jake Reed of Oregon on the mound against Washington State on Saturday, April 21, 2012. Reed held the cougars to just 2 runs on 6 hits with 5 K’s and no walks through 7 complete innings. Once removed from the game the Ducks suffered a 6-run eighth inning sealing the loss. (Jeff Matarrese/Oregon Daily Emerald)
Oregon pitcher Jake Reed about to throw a runner out at first base Saturday against the Cougars. (Jeff Matarrese/Oregon Daily Emerald)
Oregon shortstop Kevin Shepherd makes contact on a bunt against the Cougars on Saturday. Shepherd was 0-3 at the plate while the Ducks struggled to get their offense going. (Jeff Matarrese/Oregon Daily Emerald)
Oregon first baseman Ryon Healy grinds out a single against the Cougars in Saturday’s 8-3 loss. The Ducks suffered a devastating eighth inning and could not produce a comeback. (Jeff Matarrese/Oregon Daily Emerald)
Oregon pitcher Joey Housey walks off the field during a dismal eighth inning, allowing two runs after only facing five batters. (Jeff Matarrese/Oregon Daily Emerald)
Oregon 6, Washington State 10 – Sunday, April 22, 2012
Oregon couldn’t keep up with the Washington offense on Sunday, scoring 3 runs in the first and 5 in the forth to take control. Oregon’s pitching staff didn’t seem to have an answer for the Cougars hitting, allowing a season high 13 hits. Washington State first baseman Taylor Ard was hot, batting in 5 with a 3-run bomb in the first and a two-run home run in the eighth. Oregon began to rally late scoring in the eighth and scoring three in the bottom of the ninth but it was too little too late. With the bases loaded and two outs, Shaun Chase popped one up just beyond first to end the game 10-6.
Oregon outfielders Brett Thomas and Derek Smith collide while they chase down a ball on Sunday against the Cougars. (Jeff Matarrese/Oregon Daily Emerald)
Washington State players Kyle Johnson and Adam Nelubowich celebrate as they cross the plate in Sunday’s 10-6 loss to the Cougars at PK Park. (Jeff Matarrese/Oregon Daily Emerald)
Washington State’s Jason Monda is called safe at third as Oregon’s Ryan Hambright falls over the runner in Sunday’s loss to the Cougars. (Jeff Matarrese/Oregon Daily Emerald)
Oregon pitcher Jordan Spencer walks off the field as he is relieved from the game in the sixth inning against Washington State on Sunday. Spencer faced and walked two batters in the Ducks’ 10-6 loss. (Jeff Matarrese/Oregon Daily Emerald)
Oregon’s Kevin Shepherd misses the ball allowing Washington State runner Kyle Johnson safe passage to second on Sunday, April 22, 2012. (Jeff Matarrese/Oregon Daily Emerald)
Cougar short stop Ian Sagdal turns a double play against the Ducks on Sunday, April 22, 2012. (Jeff Matarrese/Oregon Daily Emerald)
Oregon third baseman Thomas Walker stretches for a ball as Washington State’s Ben Roberts slides in to third on Sunday, April 22, 2012. (Jeff Matarrese/Oregon Daily Emerald)
Oregon infielder Aaron Payne pushes towards first on a bunt on Sunday against Washington State. For the Ducks their offense came too little to late. (Jeff Matarrese/Oregon Daily Emerald)
Oregon’s Jordan Spencer tries to outrun a throw home against the Cougars on Sunday. Oregon’s offense was held to two runs through seven innings, and despite having promising positions in the eighth and ninth, were unable to come back from the 8-run deficit. (Jeff Matarrese/Oregon Daily Emerald)
Oregon’s Shaun Chase holds his head as his pop-out to first stranded three runners on base to end the game against Washington State on Sunday, April 22, 2012. The Ducks scored three runs in the bottom of the ninth and loaded the bases with two outs but could not come back against the Cougars. (Jeff Matarrese/Oregon Daily Emerald)
