As the stage gets bigger, the margins will get tighter, but after a series-opening game of green and yellow haymakers in a contest with a combined 19 runs, the Ducks’ (6-0)  3-0 win over the Youngstown State Penguins (0-5) was a battle of soft jabs and ducked blows.

There was no score through four and a half innings. Oregon didn’t have its first hit until the fourth inning, and led 1-0 at the seventh-inning stretch. Soft contact was plenty in a game where starters Will Sanford and Braden Gebhardt were in command. And passed balls in the fourth and eight innings accompanied by an RBI groundout were the only runs.

“I liked that it was a close game,” head coach Mark Wasikowski said. “You get to learn a lot about your team, I thought there was really solid execution, good defense.” 

Nonetheless, the Ducks extended their winning streak to six games and remain at the top of the conference. At 6-0, they’re off to their best six-game start since 2014. Once again, it was an impressive pitching performance that led to the victory.

In five innings Friday, Sanford conceded only three hits while striking out six in an 88-pitch outing. He allowed baserunners in five of six innings but got groundballs and swing-and-misses when he needed them. His fastball velocity was steady over the course of the afternoon, maxing out at 95 mph. And the two times the Penguins did threaten, getting runners to second base in the first (on a walk and stolen base) and third (on a single and steal) innings, Sanford would go on to face the minimum.

“Will Sanford came in and made big pitches when he needed to… he matched their ace,” Wasikowski said. 

“I felt like I could beat them with my fastball,” Sanford said. “And that’s what I did.” 

Gebhardt — who Wasikowski raved about pregame — was even better for YSU. The left-hander did allow one run via a passed ball, but struck out four over six innings with three walks.

“I knew it was going to be a tough game,” Wasikowski said. “That guy is really really good.” 

Just yesterday, Wasikowski said that he didn’t have a preference for what type of game his team played, as long as they won. Friday, his Ducks certainly put that declaration to the test.
They mustered just four baserunners in the first five innings — two of which came in the second when Oregon got runners on second and third and no outs, but needed a passed ball to score its first run of the day.

There was some late drama, when Tanner Bradley ran out of gas in his third inning of relief, walking the bases loaded. But Devin Bell entered in relief and retired the next two batters in the win

“Pitchers came in and made pitches,” Wasikowski said. “Our bullpen was really really good.” 

Oregon got its other two runs in the eight via a passed ball and RBI groundout from Gimenez. 

But there were plenty of positives for Oregon despite the low offensive output, and though Bradley was excellent and Jax Gimenez and Owen Morgan scored on passed balls and secured the Ducks’ win, it was Sanford’s performance that boded best for their future goals.

Sanford certainly looked the part of an ace on Friday, navigating the YSU lineup well without his best stuff.

He’s also recorded 11 scoreless innings to start his sophomore year.

More importantly, Friday also provided one more confidence boost as the competition Oregon will face slowly ramps up, Sanford proving again he has evolved into the kind of pitcher the Ducks can surely trust late in the season.

“We’ve been looking for a closer game,” Sanford said. “Just knowing I can put up zeros and get our offense back out there and just slow the game down. I wanted a close game, nice little pitchers duel.” 

First pitch tomorrow is set for 12:05 p.m.