Charles Fischer

OREGON ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 2026 BASEBALL | @OregonBaseball Walk-off Walk Caps Comeback by Ducks EUGENE, Ore. — In a hole early, Oregon regrouped, reversed momentum and rewarded a near sellout crowd with a walk-off win. After the No. 19 Ducks fell behind by four runs to Penn State in the first inning Saturday, the UO staff bounced back with 8.1 innings of shutout pitching. The Oregon lineup, meanwhile, methodically chipped away at that lead, forcing extra innings and then ending it in the 10th on a bases-loaded walk for a 5-4 victory. Jack Brooks drove in the winning run by drawing Oregon’s fourth walk in the bottom of the 10th. He came up with two outs, fell into an 0-2 hole, worked the count full and then took ball four to the delight of the 16th-largest crowd in PK Park history, 3,946 fans. “It’s a little nerve-racking going into it — the stadium's loud, everyone's on their feet,” Brooks said. “But you’ve got to embrace the moment, just have fun with it. It's still the same game that you played all your life; can't make the moment too big. Just kind of got it done, so that's cool.” Jack Brooks and the Team Celebrates... Collin Clarke started for the Ducks and allowed three of the first four batters he faced to score, part of a four-run first inning for the Nittany Lions. But he rebounded to pitch into the sixth, before Luke Morgan, Toby Twist and Devin Bell blanked the Nittany Lions the rest of the way. “Whenever Clark's on the mound, he gives the entire staff just this boost of energy all the time,” said Bell (2-4), who got the last seven outs for the win. “Even if it's not going his way, he holds his composure well. And I think that's just what leads to our pitching staff doing good coming out of the bullpen.” Many in the crowd Saturday evening began their day at the Oregon football team’s Spring Game, next door to PK Park at Autzen Stadium. Then they migrated to the ballpark and created an atmosphere that helped fuel the Ducks’ comeback. “It’s good to have that backing you up, because I know it's hard to play in an environment like that,” Brooks said. “But when it's on your side, it's a lot easier.” How It Happened: The third batter of the game hit an RBI double off Clark, and the Penn State clean-up hitter followed with a two-run homer. Brooks, playing in center, had a bead on that ball but wasn’t able to haul it in at the wall; he made up for it later in the game, but the play was still on his mind. “Our thing is, if it's arms reach away, you should be able to catch it,” Brooks said. “I should have caught it. Sorry to Clarke, but the way that he responded to that — what did we have, eight shutout innings after that? I mean, the pitching staff is electric. It's fun to watch.” A two-out RBI single made it 4-0 before the Nittany Lions were done in the first. But they were also done for the day. Oregon quickly began to rally, loading the bases in the bottom of the first on three singles and making it 4-1 on an RBI groundout by Angel Laya. A two-out rally in the third got the Ducks within 4-2, when Drew Smith singled and Laya followed with an RBI double. Twist replaced Clarke after a two-out double in the sixth, and Twist struck out the first batter he faced on three pitches. He then struck out the side in the seventh, and Oregon tied it in the bottom of the inning when Brooks bunted to advance Naulivou Lauaki Jr. and Jax Gimenez into scoring position, before each came home on a fielder’s choice. Toby Twist Twist struck out the first two hitters in the eighth before the next two Nittany Lions reached. Bell entered the game with runners at the corners, stranding the go-ahead run at third base with a strikeout. “We had two outs; I just had to get weak contact or strike them out,” Bell said. “I struck them out, and it felt great.” Bell rolled through the top of the 10th, throwing a 1-2-3 inning. Laya walked and stole second to open the bottom of the 10th, Maddox Molony walked to put two on, Lauaki was walked intentionally with one out and first base open, and Brooks followed with his high-drama, two-out walk to end the game. “The guys in front of me did their job,” Brooks said. “I mean, they all got on base, so that's props to them. They did what they had to do, and then all I had to do is just try to keep it simple and do what I could do.” The win clinched the series for the Ducks entering Sunday’s finale, giving Oregon wins in 22 of 24 series over the past two seasons. On Deck: The Ducks host the series finale Sunday (noon, B1G+).

Ducks win 5-4 again! Closer Devin Bell generated two groundouts, and a pop-up to keep the 'Lions at bay. Angel Laya walks, and steals second. Maddox Molony also strings out the at-bat to get a walk when both batters were at full-count. Burke-Lee Mabeus sacrifice bunts to the mid-pitcher/3rd base area to move both runners into scoring position. Naulivou Lauaki was intentionally walked, and after an out--Jack Brooks also got it up to full count...bases loaded, and the next pitch decides it all. The Penn State pitcher threw too low, and thus Brooks was walked, and a run came in to win the game for Oregon. Now THAT is truly a "Walk-Off" victory!

4-4 after nine innings. Devin Bell gets two strikeouts and a groundout to go 1-2-3, and the last one was sweet as after the heaters--he throws a changeup that puts the batter in knots. We had a runner in scoring position at second, but could not win the game. On to the 10th!

4-4 after eight innings. Oregon's Toby Twist got two outs, and was relieved by Devin Bell who got a strikeout for the third. And opposing pitchers kept us scoreless as well. On to the ninth!

4-4 after seven innings. Oregon's Toby Twist took over on the hill, and gave us three strikeouts. Whew! "Junior" Lauaki got a leadoff hit to LF, off their relief pitcher--while Gabe Miranda walks. Jack Brooks sac-bunts to move both runners to scoring position. Brayden Jaksa hit a dud to the pitcher...who dropped the ball so Lauaki could score! With runners on the corners, Ryan Cooney bunts poorly, but the catcher blew the throw to first to load the bases. Drew Smith hits a grounder that sends the throw to second while Miranda scores to tie it all up. A big final two innings!

4-2 Penn State after six innings. Oregon's Collin Clarke got two outs, and gave up a double and thus Luke Morgan came in to relieve him. Morgan got a strikeout with two very nasty drop-curveballs to finish the inning. This opposing pitcher with a bad ERA? He has held the Ducks to only two runs, and put us down easily in this inning.

4-2 Penn State after five innings. Collin Clarke disposed of the side 1-2-3 has a pitch count in the 70s...will he be back for Oregon in the sixth? Nothing on offense.

4-2 Penn State after three innings. Oregon's Collin Clarke gave up hits and had runners on the corners, but kept the inning scoreless for the 'Lions. Drew Smith got a grounder-hit to RF, and then Angel Laya hit opposite-field to the LF corner for a double to score the speedy Smith from first base.

4-1 Penn State after two innings. What I feared was true....on film--everyone has figured out Collin Clarke, as they shelled him in the first inning for four runs. He recovered to have a scoreless inning in the second. Oregon had bases loaded with no outs, and only got one run when Ryan Cooney hit a ground-out to score Jack Brooks. Nothing on offense in the second inning, so we have a tough game ahead...

Today we will see Oregon's Collin Clarke take the hill, (3.84 ERA) versus the 'Lions' starter Ben Hudson, at 8.14 ERA. A couple of items to take into account... --Forget Hudson's bad ERA, as yesterday's starter against the Ducks had an ERA at nearly 7.00 but he threw 94 and 95 mph and was great. It comes down to how he pitches today. --Collin Clarke has been beat-up the last two starts. He does not have much of a fastball, and depends upon superb control with his placement, his slider, his curve-drop pitch, and when it is humming--his changeup. Is it on today? --It is sunny and warm--the best day at PK Park for the season thus far, so perhaps with the warmer air we could see more hits fly over the fences for Our Beloved Ducks? Collin Clarke

Well, if that wasn't the boring Spring Game I've seen at Oregon, then it HAS to be in my top-three. The depth of the offensive line sure shows up in these Spring Games, with all the sacks. I have a couple of thoughts... --I think my question about whether Evan Stewart and Dak Moore are healthy and fully recovered was answered! --Aydin Breland sure had a game, (No. 42) and I'm glad to see his progress. --I continue to be surprised by the talent and poise of walk-on Brock Thomas. It almost felt that he was making Akili Smith Jr. try a little too hard...

Good one. Now I gotta watch to see if transfer Iverson Hooks is the next "Tez" as some would assert?

--I want to see how much the young offensive linemen have progressed, and if they are overwhelmed by the defensive linemen as in prior Spring Games? --I am curious about the vitality of the veteran receivers; if Evan Stewart and Dak Moore back to their prior health and skills? What are YOU looking for today?

OREGON ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2026 BASEBALL | @OregonBaseball Ducks Rally Late for Win over Penn State EUGENE, Ore. — No. 19 Oregon rallied with a pair of late inning runs to overcome a one-run deficit and pick up a 5-4 win over Penn State in Big Ten Conference action on Friday at PK Park in game one of the series. The Ducks, who entered the weekend in fourth place in the Big Ten Conference with four weeks to play, gained ground on both second-place Nebraska, who lost at Illinois earlier in the day, and third-place Purdue, who lost at USC. The Ducks are now a half game behind the Boilermakers and two games behind Nebraska. Freshman Brayden Jaksa paced Oregon offensively, going 3-for-4 at the plate with a run scored. Fellow freshman Angel Laya reached base four times (2-for-3, BB, HBP) and scored a run, while junior Maddox Molony went 2-for-5 with a huge RBI. Sophomore Burke-Lee Mabeus drove in a pair of runs on a two-run home run. Burke-Lee Mabeus and Tanner Bradley Tanner Bradley moved to 4-0, picking up the win after retiring all six of the batters he faced including five on strikeouts. He fanned the first and third batters he faced in the eighth inning while getting a weak comebacker for the second out. He struck out the side in the ninth to wrap up the win. Oregon starter Will Sanford left after six with the lead. He gave up two runs on four hits in 6.0 innings of work with eight strikeouts and two walks. Sanford and Bradley combined for 13 strikeouts. How It Happened: The Ducks (30-11, 13-6 Big Ten) fell behind in the top of the seventh inning when Penn State (12-27, 5-14 Big Ten) second baseman Bryce Molinaro belted a two-run go-ahead home run with two outs to put the Nittany Lions on top 4-3. Oregon responded immediately by tying the game in the bottom half of the inning. Jaksa led off the inning with a double, moved to third on a passed ball on ball four to Laya to put runners at the corners with two outs. Molony picked up the RBI with a single through the right side. The Ducks took the lead in the eighth inning, scoring an unearned run. UO loaded the bases with one out on a Jack Brooks infield single and a pair of walks. Drew Smith hit a chopper to third baseman Spencer Barnett who went to cut Brooks down at home to keep the game tied, but the throw was barely off target forcing catcher Joey DeMucci to pull his foot briefly allowing Brooks to touch the plate before DeMucci could get his foot back on the plate. Penn State challenged but the call stood. Jack Brooks was SAFE at Home! Oregon rallied from a pair of deficits before winning the game. Penn State took the lead with a run in the top of the third, but Oregon countered with two runs in the fourth. After Laya reached on a base hit up the middle, Mabeus belted a two-out, two-run home run to give the Ducks the lead. PSU tied it in the fourth scoring on a wild pitch, but Oregon responded with a run in its half of the inning. Jax Gimenez walked and stole second before moving to third on a Jaksa single and scoring on a Ryan Cooney sacrifice fly. Box Score Notes: Oregon reached the 30-win mark for the sixth consecutive season … Gimenez extended his reached base streak to 31 games on a fifth inning base on balls, matching the second longest streak in the modern era of Oregon baseball … Mabeus’ home run was his fifth of the season and seventh of his career … Jaksa matched his career high with three hits … It was his 10th multiple-hit game including his seventh in the last nine games. On Deck: The Ducks will look for a series win when the teams meet in game two on Saturday (B1G+). First pitch is at 4:05 p.m. after the Oregon football spring game. Head Coach Mark Wasikowski On Tanner Bradley’s ability to close out games... “He’s been really good. Credit to him, his work ethic, his parents for raising him the right way. Hes tough as nails. And then the work that those guys are doing with him down there with Florer and Straily, it’s pretty remarkable.” On what he liked and didn’t like from the offensive side... “I didn't think we played super well. To be honest with you, I think the Fitzgerald kid had it going, didn't he? He was throwing 94 to 95, 96 miles an hour with a hammer tonight, and he had command of it and a good feel for more than two pitches. Actually, I thought he was on his game. And to come out with a Friday night win when a guy's pitching as well as he was really good.” On the game-deciding call at home plate... “There's one close call at home plate that I'll never forget at PK Park, that I still have a strong opinion on.” On his thoughts heading forward into the series... “We're 1-0 on the weekend, and we're looking forward to playing tomorrow. Hopefully 1-0 again tomorrow, and that would give us two on the weekend. That's our goal tomorrow.” Tanner Bradley On his thoughts about closing out the game… “I maintain my routine no matter what it is. I like coming into games neutral. They are a very good team. I stay in myself and what I can control.” On what pitches he used to strike out the side in the 9th… “All of them. I utilized all my pitches.” On how the team bounced back after the Oregon State game… “We came into the game pretty well. We weren’t too high after the Oregon State game, or too low. It's a Friday night game. It's going to be the best pitcher against the best pitcher, and you just have to go compete it out and see who wins.” Maddox Molony On his initial thoughts on this back-and-forth win tonight… “It was a good game. It was a hard-fought game. It wasn't a clean game, but it's a Friday night win, and that's what matters. That's what's important.” On his game-tying hit… “I just wanted to get out there and do what I've done hundreds of times before.” On his confidence level in this team to get wins that are not so clean… “We're a gritty team, and you can see that through our lineup. It doesn't always matter if we’re doing good or bad. We're going to compete, and I expect us to win, messy like that." Brayden Jaksa On his thoughts about the game… “We came in here confident, coming out of Corvallis, and just ready to compete. We've been sticking to our approach when it comes to hitting. The pitchers are really trying to dial it in and really just compete out there and give us the best chance to win. Just as a team, really proud of how we fought today, and just came out with the win. We’ll try tomorrow to come out and win again.” On Lauaki and him in the lineup for the last nine games… “I feel like Junior and I just go out there every single day ready to compete and do what's best for the team. Ever since I've been putting the two-hole, I've just really tried to get as many pluses as I can at the plate, get on base, and start rallies. I want to bring the energy. We just stick to our plan, as I've said in the past, and that's been working." On coach’s message after the game… “We want to stick to our approach. You know, the game's always going to be hard. It's going to test us at points like it did today. We can come out and compete and win those games as a whole unit. He wanted us to keep the energy in the dugout high, keep the energy on the field. We want to back each other up and really just come out here and do what we know how to do and keep winning ball games.”

Ducks win 5-4 as Tanner Bradley was on fire and impossible to hit. They went down 1-2-3 again.... Forget the ERAs, as Penn State pitchers tonight were every bit as tough as other Big-10 opponents we faced....although some timely hitting by Oregon with bases loaded (four times) could have really changed the game. Whew! I love our Pinstripe uniforms!