2-1 Ducks after one inning. The highly interesting story-line is how Oregon's Ian Umlandt is going up against the Portland pitcher...his brother Nolan Umlandt.  The Duck's Jacob Walsh crushed a two-run homer to start the scoring for Oregon, but I was surprised at how well the Pilots are hitting Ian already. (1.05 ERA)

 

I get it Jacob....I LOVE our Ducks too!

 

2-1 Ducks after two innings.  Ian Umlandt wiggled out of a bases-loaded jam.  Whew!  I recognize that nobody is watching this game since it is on ESPN+, but I had to shell out the bucks to watch because--you know me...

 

"I Might As Well Face It...I'm ADDICTED TO DUCKS!"

 

2-2 after three innings. Both Umlandt brothers were pulled after two innings, and Oregon's freshman pitcher Kellan Knox gave up a homer on his first pitch, but did well after that.

 

Kellan Knox

 

2-2 after four innings. The new Portland pitcher is throwing a slider that our beloved batters are not just missing, but missing by a MILE.

 

5-4 Portland after five innings. All the scoring came from errors on both sides. Walks, overthrown to bases, wild pitches...whew!  Oregon went through three pitchers...IN THAT INNING!  I understand that you are trying to give some young-guns the opportunity to shine, but damn!

 

 

6-5 Ducks after six innings. Anson Aroz hit a sweet two-run homer, and Santiago Garcia pitched Portland out of there, after a 1-2-3 side.
 

His ninth home run!

6-6 after seven innings, as a Garcia fast-ball got sent yard.  SCO-DUCKS!

 

P.S. There are no videos provided on "X," so none to offer tonight.

 

6-6 after eight innings. Whew!  Oregon's closer Cole Stokes got it done with a runner on third...now onto the ninth!

 

Cole Stokes

 

7-6 Portland is the final. Stokes choked...as he gave up a hit, walked another, hit a batter, and then hit another batter for the winning run.  Oregon is getting everybody's best shot right now, and we have to pull it together...

 

 

     For the past three games,  “best shots” is correct. Except for the USC series, the team has not faced opponents who have ‘a little something else’ at stake when they face us.

 

     The Buckeyes - no matter the sport - want to put us in ‘our place’, while Portland was the first experience this season playing an in-house opponent with upset intentions - like the softball loss to the Beavers.

 

     As Wasikowski said, we made mistakes against the Pilots, but it wasn’t for a lack of effort, it was a lack of execution.

 

     While it’s no excuse, I try to bear in mind that of our 18 member pitching staff, 8 are freshmen. 
 

     Mark is not soft pedaling, but neither is he hammering. I agree with his damage control approach of putting this behind us, and getting back to the practice field. 
 

     At this moment, it’s just time for encouragement.