The Oregon baseball team opened its season on a positive note in Hawaii, taking two of the series’ first three games heading into a fourth and final matchup this afternoon. @@http://www.goducks.com/SportSelect.dbml?&DB_OEM_ID=500&KEY=&SPID=11401&SPSID=94835@@ @@http://hawaiiathletics.com/news/2012/2/19/BB_0219122038.aspx@@
The Ducks’ offense operated at a torrid pace on Sunday, putting up 15 hits en route to an easy 14-5 victory. Sophomore starter Brando Tessar was credited with the victory after giving up four runs (three earned) in six and 2/3 innings, while J.J. Altobelli and Aaron Jones both went 3-6 with a combined 4 RBI at the plate. @@http://www.goducks.com/SportSelect.dbml?&DB_OEM_ID=500&SPID=11401&SPSID=94833@@
Oregon scored 10 runs in the fourth inning alone on Sunday, as a total of 14 batters came to the plate. In all, Hawaii was forced to use five pitchers, and starter Jon Flinn was tabbed with the loss.
Sunday’s victory came after a 12-inning nail-biter on Saturday night that ended with Oregon on top 3-2. Though Hawaii struck first with two runs in the bottom of the third inning, Oregon fought back to tie the game on the heels of a two-run double by catcher Brett Hambright in the top of the sixth. The two teams would remain knotted up all the way into the top of the 12th, when sophomore second baseman Aaron Payne managed to score on a wild pitch.
It was more than enough for sophomore reliever Jimmie Sherfy, who shut out the Rainbows over the final five and 1/3 innings and struck out 13. Hawaii loaded the bases with two outs in the bottom of the 12th, but Sherfy managed to strike out leftfielder Kaeo Aliviado to end the threat, and the game.
The Ducks were not so lucky in the season opener on Friday night, falling 4-1. While Hawaii right-hander Matt Sisto cruised through seven shutout innings, Oregon’s Alex Keudell struggled and made it through just four innings. The Rainbows broke through with their first run in the bottom of the third, then tacked on three more in the fifth and sixth. It would be more than enough, as Oregon managed its only run in the top of the ninth on the strength of three consecutive hits. @@http://www.goducks.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPID=11401&DB_OEM_ID=500&ATCLID=205382365@@
The fourth and final game of the series begins today at 3:05 p.m.