Their first game in Florida was an eye-opening experience.
As No. 8 Oregon (19-7 overall, 13-5 Pacific Mountain Conference) took on the No. 1-ranked team in the country on Wednesday at the National Club Baseball Association World Series in Bradenton, Fla., the Ducks knew they were going to need a little luck to get by their first round opponents.
Oregon was introduced to Colorado State, a ball club that has yet to lose a game, at 9:30 a.m. EST at McKechnie Field. Hot and humid weather welcomed the first game of the 2004 World Series.
The Rams (24-0 overall, 15-0 Rocky Mountain Conference) took a one-run lead in the first inning, and Colorado State scored in every frame then on except the third, en route to a 10-1 win.
Oregon’s only run came in the seventh and final inning.
“Colorado is a very well-coached team and they played with a lot of confidence,” catcher Jon Loomis said. “I can see why they have an undefeated record.”
Senior Matt Mensik, Oregon’s pitcher who was set to start the first game, tweaked his arm just before the Ducks took the field. Freshman pitcher Jay Tlougan took over for Mensik and started the game. Tlougan threw five innings and allowed 10 hits before Oregon’s Donny Udell relieved him in the sixth.
The Ducks faltered in one of their strongest categories; Oregon accounted for two hits against three Colorado State pitchers.
“We weren’t able to hit the ball,” Loomis said. “So we weren’t able to get anything going.”
When the Ducks did find themselves in scoring position, Loomis said the team failed to move the runners around the bases. Only Loomis and right fielder Brad Ficek recorded a hit.
“We had a tough time moving around the bases,” Loomis said. “We weren’t playing our game.”
With Oregon playing in the first game of the tournament, dealing with the three-hour time change, and having to travel the farthest distance to participate in the tournament, the Ducks had to battle a few more elements than they expected.
“From the very beginning we were fighting an uphill battle,” Ficek said. “We had a lot of things stacked against us. It was the very first game of the tournament, we had to travel all day yesterday to get here and we have never been to the World Series before.”
Oregon will have plenty of time to get acclimated to the weather conditions and time change before their next game, which is scheduled for Friday at 9:30 a.m. EST. The Ducks will take on the loser of the game between Texas A&M and Central Michigan, which will be played this morning.
“After our first game, I think we will settle down more,” third basemen Travis Chock said. “We need to focus more on defense in our next game and not worry so much about hitting.”