After winning three in a row at home to start their postseason run, the Ducks were trampled by the Longhorns in a blowout 11-3 loss to kick off the Super Regional.

A poor start from Cal Scolari (3.2 IP, 5 R, 2 H, 4 K) and poor hitting with runners in scoring position proved the catalysts in the critical game one loss for Oregon against the Texas Longhorns. The loss puts Texas a game up in the best-of-three series, with a spot in the College World Series on the line.

Oregon got off to a strong start against Texas starter Dylan Volantis with a lead-off single from Jax Gimenez. Gimenez had been hitting in the bottom of the order for the last few weeks after being the Ducks’ leadoff hitter for most of the season.

Volantis snuffed out the hot start after striking out Angel Laya and Ryan Cooney, but Gimenez managed to advance to third following two wild pitches. Drew Smith drew a walk on the second wild pitch to put runners on the corners, but Jaksa struck out and stranded the runners.

Similar to Volantis, Scolari allowed a baserunner early after walking right fielder Aiden Robbins to lead off the inning. After narrowly missing a home run by mere feet, left fielder Anthony Pack Jr. drew a walk to put runners at first and second with one gone. Soon after, Texas drew first blood on a two-run double from shortstop Adrian Rodriguez to take an early lead heading into the second inning.

Third baseman Casey Borba launched a solo bomb into deep right-center to give the Longhorns a three-run lead and debilitate an Oregon team that gave up only one home run in its Regional. Heading into this game, the Ducks hadn’t trailed by three or more runs since May 10 against UCLA.

Lauaki singled up the middle to start the fourth before Molony slashed a double down the left field line to put runners on second and third with no outs. Volantis struck out two before Laya grounded out to strand two more runners, bringing the total to eight runners left on. 

Oregon continued to put runners on in the bottom of the fourth after three walks loaded the bases with two outs. Ducks head coach Mark Wasikowski made his first call to the bullpen, bringing out Jonah Barkoff in a tricky situation. A true nightmare moment started his night as Barkoff slipped on the mound, allowing all runners to advance on a balk, which scored a run.

With one out in the bottom of the fifth, second baseman Temo Becerra doubled to right-center field before Rodriguez hit an RBI single to left field. A hit by pitch put runners on first and second before a walk loaded the bases and forced Wasikowski to bring on Leo Uelman after a disastrous performance from Barkoff. After securing the second out on a popout, Uelman hit Pendergrass on the first pitch of the at-bat to score the second and final run of the inning. 

Molony slashed his second double of the day to lead off the sixth inning before Jack Brooks drew a walk. Gimenez was hit by the first pitch in his at-bat, which loaded the bases before Volantis struck out Laya for the first out. Thomas Burns took the mound for the Longhorns and quickly struck out Cooney. The Ducks finally secured their first two runs after back-to-back walks for Smith and Jaksa, which prompted Texas to send Burns to the dugout in favor of Luke Harrison. A swinging strikeout from Mabeus stranded three to bring the total number of Oregon runners stranded to 13.

Collin Clarke took over on the mound in the sixth and put runners on second and third with one out after Pack singled, Becerra drew a walk and a wild pitch advanced both runners. Rodriguez hit a sacrifice fly to center field, scoring Pack and advancing Becerra, before designated hitter Ethan Mendoza homered to left center field to make it 10-2 heading into the seventh.

After a scoreless seventh inning, during which the Ducks left two runners on and Texas went three up, three down, the Longhorns made a change on the mound with Brody Wells taking over for Harrison. Smith took advantage of the change by sending a ball deep over the left field wall for a solo home run. 

Clarke allowed back-to-back singles in the bottom of the eighth, which forced Wasikowski to have Michael Meckna take over on the mound with runners at the corners and one out. A sacrifice fly from Rodriguez sent in the 11th run for Texas heading into the ninth.

In the ninth with two outs, Gabe Miranda pinch-hit for Brooks and drew a walk before Elijah Cook came in as a pinch runner and stole second. Gimenez was hit by a pitch before Laya flew out to center to end the game 11-3.

The Ducks will take on the Longhorns on Sunday, June 7, at 6 p.m. PST in a potential elimination game at UFCU Disch-Falk Field in Austin.