Before Sunday’s game with the Washington State Cougars, the Oregon Ducks looked a little out of sync. They had won 6-0 the day before behind a one-hitter from starter Justin LaTempa, but head coach George Horton didn’t like the way his team took batting
practice or fielding practice.
“We were a little fuzzy,” Horton said.
Then, out came the Cougars, with rolled-up pant legs — a sign they were taking a more aggressive approach to try and take the series from the No. 17 Ducks.
Instead, Oregon (30-14 overall, 10-8 Pacific-10 Conference) won 6-1 to win their fourth straight conference series.
“The last time that happened to us, we had beaten Seattle three games in a row, and they said we’re going to have none of that, and they got us,” Horton said of the Cougars’ tactic. “That actually in a weird way helped us because we knew they were going to take a run at us.”
It’s true the Cougars (22-17, 6-9) came out swinging, hitting the ball hard all over the field, but right at Duck defenders. Newly appointed Sunday starter Zack Thornton (7-0) held the team to two hits through the first six innings.
Thornton finished with four hits and one earned run with six strikeouts. Alex Keudell went 1 2/3 innings, striking out two and giving up two hits. Scott McGough went the final 1 1/3 innings, holding the Cougars scoreless on no hits and three strikeouts.
“This is a very good ball club, and taking two out of three was good for us,” Thornton said. “They came out very aggressive, and on the mound I just stuck with my plan of throwing strikes and letting them get themselves out.”
Meanwhile, designated hitter Paul Eshleman went 2 for 3 with two runs scored, three RBI and a home run to provide all the offense Oregon needed in the victory. Eshleman, who has started 11 games, proved to Horton that he also deserved some playing time.
“It went well,” Eshleman said. “Just tried to get quality at-bat after quality at-bat.”
“Those kind of things give me chills,” Horton said of Eshleman’s effort. “The fact that he wasn’t given playing opportunities early in the year … we’ve been going with other athletes, and (Shawn) Peterson’s and (Paul’s) performance yesterday was a good way of saying to coach Horton that, ‘I should be playing more often, coach.’”
Sunday’s win followed a great pitching performance on Saturday from LaTempa. The senior went the distance, allowing one hit, walking one, and striking out 10 batters. Overall, Oregon pitchers allowed four runs (three earned) in 27 innings, walked two batters, and struck out 30.
“The performance on the mound this entire weekend was great,” Horton said. “They made it look awful easy.”
Washington State did take the series opener, getting to Anderson in the eighth inning after he had pitched seven scoreless. But it was McGough who gave up the go-ahead run in the ninth that gave the team the win, 3-2.
“We let Friday slip away from us,” Thornton said. “But you have to be satisfied taking two out of three from a very good ball club.”
The win yesterday was also Oregon’s 30th of the season, a milestone that a year ago would have seemed unfathomable.
“It’s a huge step from 14 last year,” Thornton said. “”It’s a huge milestone for the program. As you seen, a lot of fans aren’t leaving like they were last year. It’s definitely great for us and the direction of this program.”
But there are still games to be won. Oregon finds itself tied with Stanford for third place in the conference. There are three conference series to go (Oregon State, Washington and Cal) and seven nonconference games. Horton said the magic number for a team to get into regionals is 35 wins, a mark that is reachable, but for now he’s focused on this week.
“Anything can happen in the Pac,” Horton said. “This league is just unbelievable in quality. I think there are too many games left to be looking at the standings. What’s on my mind is the Portland Pilots. They’re awfully good, and they had their way with us last year.”
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Ducks take fourth consecutive series
Daily Emerald
May 1, 2010
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