Written and Audio Stories by Wilder Lewis
The Ducks played UC Santa Barbra today in the first of a three game series. The Ducks were looking for the win as they went into the game on a 4 game win streak after sweeping Lafayette in their home opener. However things wouldn’t go as planned as Oregon would lose 6-1.
Things started almost instantly as in the first inning UCSB had their first 3 batters get on base. This was followed by a sac-fly and back to back errors giving the Gauchos an early 3-0 lead. Oregon tried to respond in full as 2 quick outs was followed by 3 straight singles, however things would fall short as 3rd baseman Drew Smith tried to extend the play but would be caught trying to go home by UCSB RF J. Sebring. Oregon’s offense would continue to struggle, but it wasn’t long before Santa Barbra would get back on the board as in the 3rd, 2nd basemen Nick Oakley would hit a bases loaded sac-fly bringing home one more run.
It would be a bit of a tough day for Oregon as on offense the Ducks would only get 6 hits and post 1 run. The run coming off of a error in the bottom of the 5th as Ryan Cooney would advance from 3rd on an error. The one big highlight for the Ducks today however, would be freshmen reliever Toby Twist. Twist would go for a new season high for innings pitched at 4 and season low for walks at 2, as well as, picking up 5 strikeouts and only 2 earned runs.
UCSB would eventually pick up these two runs off of Twist in the 6th and 9th as Oakley would come home off an RBI single in the former, and Zander Darby would make his way around on back to back wild pitches by Twist pushing the lead to 5 in the latter. Oregon would try to pull of the rally though as three of four would get on to start of the bottom of the 9th leaving bases loaded with only one out. However things would fall short as Cooney would strike out and the Boettcher would hit into a fielders choice ending the game at a score of 6-1.
The Ducks will be looking for their revenge tomorrow though as they host the Gauchos for the second of three game. Myself Wilder Lewis will be there being you all the highlights and updates so stay tuned as first pitch is at 205pm pst.
Audio Story and Coach Interview