The Oregon Ducks picked up a series victory over the Loyola Marymount Lions with a 9-7 win on Sunday afternoon in Los Angeles, California.
After getting just one hit in the first four innings, the Ducks scored four runs in the sixth and seventh innings to take control of the game. With one out in the top of the seventh inning, back-to-back walks loaded the bases and brought Kyle Kasser to the plate.
The Lions made a pitching change, but new pitcher Keefer Meehan hit Kasser to give the Ducks a 5-4 lead. Taylor Travess scored on a wild pitch when the third strike of Jonny DeLuca’s at-bat went by the catcher. Spencer Steer made the deficit insurmountable with a two-RBI single to center field. In the eighth inning, Travess benefited from another wild pitch for the team’s ninth run of the day.
James Acuna started on Sunday for the Ducks, but lasted just 2.2 innings and surrendered three runs, despite having zero earned. Six pitchers saw playing time, but no one pitched more than 1.1 innings in relief.
After Yovan allowed two runs in the bottom of the eighth, third baseman Ryne Nelson entered the game to close out the Lions. After a walk cut the lead to two with runners on second and third, Nelson slammed the door shut with back-to-back strikeouts to end the day.
The Lions got on the board in the third inning after Oregon starting pitcher Acuna hit Billy Wilson with two outs in the bottom of the inning. Wilson then stole second and later scored when Niko Decolati reached first on an error. Back-to-back singles allowed two more runs to score and put Oregon at a 3-run deficit. The Lions scored another run in the fourth on a single because of an error by Nelson.
Two singles and a walk set the stage for pinch hitter Travess single to knock in the first run of the game in the sixth inning. Back-to-back walks cut the Lions lead to one run. Later in the inning, Gabe Matthews took a hit by pitch to tie the game.
The Ducks play the first home game of 2018 on Tuesday at 6 p.m. against Seattle University in a one-game series.
Follow Zak Laster on Twitter: @zlast3445