Oregon’s offense took a break on Saturday, but in the end the No. 18 Ducks won another Pacific-10 Conference series.
Two big hitting days sandwiched an extra inning loss, as Oregon (27-13 overall, 8-7 Pac-10 Conference) kept pace in the conference playoff race. The scores were 12-2 Friday, 5-4 Saturday (10 innings), and 8-4 on Sunday.
“We were more excited coming off a loss,” shortstop KC Serna said. “We wanted to take the series.”
Oregon continued its hot hitting ways in game one on Friday night. Behind three-hit performances from Serna and Steven Packard, the Ducks posted 13 hits and scored runs in all but two innings.
The Ducks scored six runs in the first three innings — all on singles — and actually didn’t get their first extra base hit until the seventh inning when Serna had a double.
Ace Tyler Anderson went six and two-thirds innings, giving up four hits and two runs while striking out 10 batters. He earned the win, despite being a little shaky on the mound, something both Horton and pitching coach Andrew Checketts worried about before the game.
“Tyler was a little off warming up; I know Coach Checketts was a little concerned,” Horton said. “I know the results were pretty good, but I don’t think he threw his best game. I think he was a little out of control with his body and his emotions.”
Joey Housey pitched the last two and one-third innings, giving up one hit.
The Trojans earned just their third Pac-10 win of the season in game two, nipping the Ducks in 10 innings. USC pitcher Ben Mount held Oregon at bay through seven innings, allowing two runs in the first two innings and then shutting them down. It was a tie game going to the ninth inning, but the Trojans strung together four consecutive hits to score two runs and go up 4-2.
In the bottom of the inning, reliever Chris Mezger hit the first two batters of the inning, and a walk to third baseman J.J. Altobelli loaded the bases. Mezger threw a wild pitch to score Andrew Mendenhall from third, and a double play ground ball scored first baseman Jack Marder a batter later.
But the comeback was short lived, as closer Drew Gagnier gave up two walks, a hit and a run to lose the game.
“I thought we were going to win it in the ninth there,” Horton said. “We just didn’t hit. I think we were trying hard, and I didn’t like our strokes all night. We weren’t staying in the plain of the ball, and hitting lazy fly balls.”
The Trojans had been in the midst of a seven-game losing streak in conference, and for leadoff hitter Mike O’Neill, who went 4-for-6 with a RBI and two runs scored, it was a welcome relief. He said he hoped it would get his team going, but Sunday would show the reality.
On “attitude day” as Horton calls Sunday games, the Ducks started off strong. Four hits in the first scored two runs, and after the Trojans scored four in the top of the third to take a 4-2 lead, Oregon responded in a big way. The team loaded the bases for Altobelli, who hit an opposite field grand slam to right field.
“Right before that at bat coach Horton told me that (the pitcher) was starting everyone out with a curve ball, so I was sitting curve ball that pitch, and he hung it and I put a good swing on it,” Altobelli said.
All four runs USC scored in the third were off starter Alex Keudell, who went two innings, giving up four runs on four hits and four walks. In relief was Zack Thornton, who pitched the next seven innings of scoreless baseball. He gave up five hits, and struck out seven batters.
“Tip your cap to Zack Thornton, not just for what he did today, but he’s been superior all year,” Horton said. “I thought that was the story of the game.”
The 15 hits Oregon had in the game are the most hits against a Pac-10 opponent since the reinstatement. It was a good thing for Horton to see after last year’s offensive struggles.
“I’ve got myself a baseball team now,” he said. “It’s exciting.”
Next up for Oregon is a home matchup with Oregon State on Tuesday night at PK Park. The Beavers (21-13, 4-8) have struggled of late, but took two of three from Washington State over the weekend.
“We’re real juiced about that,” Serna said.
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TOP PERFORMERS
KC Serna (series): 5 for 13, five RBI, one run, two doubles
Steven Packard: 8 for 12, two RBI, three runs, one double
Ricky Oropesa: 5 for 12, three RBI, one run, three doubles