Consistent offensive production — a theme that’s haunted the No. 20 Ducks sporadically throughout their season — was far from an issue on Friday night.
Heading into the weekend atop the Pac-12 standings, Oregon looked to use a series against UCLA to prove that its record wasn’t just a fluke hot start or a series of fortunate events. The Ducks looked to prove that they’re a force in the Conference of Champions, and took a big step toward doing so with their 8-4 win over the Bruins.
Oregon (21-7, 7-3 Pac-12) took an astonishing 30 at-bats with runners on base in their series-opening win over the Bruins, while UCLA (11-16, 4-9 Pac-12) took 16. Oh, and the Ducks hit .300 in those at-bats on Friday. That’ll play.
Drew Smith got the scoring going in the top of the third. His RBI single plated Bennett Thompson — who walked three times and scored twice in the win — to give the Ducks the early advantage.
After the Bruins responded with a pair of runs in the bottom half of the frame, Oregon exploded in the fourth. After a throwing error and a pair of balks opened the inning, RBI singles from Smith and Carter Garate coupled nicely with a towering two-run blast off the bat of Jacob Walsh to regain the lead. The Ducks scored four in the fourth, all of the runs were uneared.
Now pitching with the lead, RJ Gordon was able to somewhat settle in. A respectable outing from the Oregon starter saw the righty go 5.1 innings while allowing four runs (only two earned) on four hits. Gordon fanned a career-high 10 batters while walking two and hitting a pair. He earned his fourth win of the season and his ERA rests at 3.99
Jeffery Heard scored his second run of the day in the top of the sixth. It was another unearned run from UCLA’s pitching staff as a booted ball allowed Heard to score. Oregon’s right fielder had another tremendous day as he recorded three hits and a pair of RBIs while bringing his season average up to .390.
When Gordon’s day ended, UCLA went silent. Logan Mercado relieved Gordon and threw a scoreless 2.2 innings before turning the ball over to Bradley Mullan to pitch a quiet ninth inning and lock down the win. The Bruins’ offense mustered just six hits in the loss as they sunk closer to the bottom of the conference’s standings.
In the ninth inning, needing some insurance runs, Oregon again turned to Heard. He doubled down the left field line to bring in a pair of Ducks and put the game at a comfortable 8-4 score as UCLA got its last hacks in of the night.
Dominant Ducks. Took control and never let it go.
Despite the offensive production, there could have been even more crooked numbers on the board. The Ducks stranded 15 runners on the basepaths on Friday and tallied seven strikeouts — Garate with three of them.
Still, Friday’s game was a great way to start a series in which the Ducks look to maintain their control of the Pac-12. Saturday serves as another opportunity, with game two against the Bruins scheduled for 6:05 p.m.
