One month ago, San Francisco (4-12) stunned Oregon (13-3). Oregon hit a season-low four hits and lost its first home game of the season. The reality check marked the beginning of the the program’s downward spiral. Oregon lost 13 of its next 19 games and fell second-to-last in the Pac-12.
The Ducks of old, however, were on display Friday and beat Oregon State (23-9), 3-2.
The pivotal win came at a critical juncture for an Oregon team that hadn’t claimed an opening win in a three-game series since defeating St. John’s on March 6. Since that, teams visiting PK Park compiled a 9-2 record against the Ducks.
Nevertheless, baseball fans throughout the state tuned in or made the trip to watch this showdown. The crowd at PK Park truly buzzed for the first time all year. Regardless of which colors they repped, any two fans in the stadium could break bread over the notion that this game might make or break Oregon’s season. The excitement in the air was palpable, and the green and yellow didn’t disappoint.
Up against one of the top arms in the country, Oregon needed a huge outing from its starting pitcher. Cole Irvin got the nod, and must have had the date circled on his calendar all year. He tossed seven strong and allowed one unearned run in his first quality start since 2013.
Runs have been a commodity for the struggling 2015 Oregon offense, and manufacturing even one off first team all-Pac-12 gunslinger Andrew Moore could qualify as a hardship. Moore, a three-time all-state product out of North Eugene High School, passed on the opportunity to play college ball for his hometown university. Instead he defected to Oregon State, the team he watched win back-to-back national titles during his formative years. The Oregon State ace boasted a 1.63 ERA and 1.02 walks and hits per innings pitched entering the juicy match-up.
To no one’s surprise, Moore did his job, holding Oregon to two hits in 7.1 commanding innings. Oregon hitters scratched and clawed to score one unearned run off Moore, which came on a close play at the plate after an error by a freshman infielder.
Taking a 2-1 advantage into the bottom of the ninth, the Beavers’ feet were on the Ducks’ throats. They had Oregon down to its final strike twice, but Oregon refused to die. The Ducks scraped together a walk, hit batsman, miraculous double-E4 and walk to tie the game and load the bases. Then freshman pinch hitter Kyle Kasser, who had a mere six at bats to his name, drew the walk-off base on balls with two outs and a full count.
Whether Oregon can win the series remains to be seen; a tall task lies ahead with freshman David Rasmussen, who threw a perfect game four short weeks ago, likely taking the bump tonight. Regardless, Oregon searched desperately for the catalyst to reverse the direction of its season and found it last night. Moreover, the Ducks gave their fan base a show that was well worth the admission price.
A full recap of the game can be found here. The Civil War battle continues with round two at 7:30 p.m. at P.K. Park.
Follow Kenny Jacoby on Twitter.