SIDEARM Integrations

GODUCKS.COM

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The Ducks' lefty allowed just two hits in a 2-1 win over the No. 10 Bruins

 

Just like in the softball game, the Ducks won a close game 1. Not only close, but a pitcher's duel. The Bruins will want to blow game 2 up. If Oregon can keep control early, the energy will drain from UCLA. 

I am hoping that the Ducks elevate their level of play unlike any time in the season thus far, as for the first time they are the underdogs.

 

So far...that was true with Grayson Grinsell, and let's hope it continues with our next two starting pitchers.

 

 

2-1 Ducks after one inning. Yep, you saw that right, the score for nine innings yesterday is matched in the first inning today.  Both starting pitchers have similar ERAs, but it comes down to the particular day. Collin Clarke had a pitch hang over the plate, and it became a dinger for UCLA.

 

Meanwhile Mason Neville had a full count on him, and blew one out of PK Park as well. In the pre-game interview with Waz...Coach acknowledged that we are a HR hitting team, thus look for the right fast-ball to feast on.  Thus, he felt that if Oregon batters were patient, that a changeup pitch from Bruin pitchers will come their way as, "a fat, slow pitch" to blast, and that is what Neville got.  He also tied the season record for HRs with Walsh with a third of the season left!

 

It was cool to see Drew Smith take a full-count walk, then steal second base, and have Anson Aroz hit him in for the second run. A busy first inning!

 

 

 

 

 

2-1 Ducks after two innings. Both pitchers have settled down, and dispatched their side easily in this inning. Nice snag by Carter Garate at the hot corner as a UCLA line-drive did not get past his diving catch at third base.

 

 

2-1 Ducks after three innings, as we left two stranded on base!

 

Okay, the team that scores first doesn't always win, go Ducks!

3-2 UCLA after four innings, as Oregon's Collin Clarke is coming apart. His first two batters got hits, he plinked the next batter to load the bases with no outs, gives up another hit to score one Bruin run, and let another score on a wild pitch.  I am ready to pull him as the Ducks are still in the game, but I see he has come out to pitch in the fifth inning.

 

 

3-3 after five innings, as Oregon's Colin Clarke continued to get beat up, and finished the inning with Bruin runners on 1st and 3rd, but he got through the inning without another run. He has plinked three batters in five innings, and now it looks like another Duck pitcher who has work off the "Yips," Will Sanford, is coming out for the sixth.  This can be great, or a nightmare....what entertainment!

 

And Jacob Walsh tied it up...

 

Home runs can be useful. 

4-3 Bruins after six innings. Oregon's Will Sanford missed an easy throw to first base off a bunt, and UCLA scored as a result. The Duck pitcher has the talent, but is learning the mental toughness needed, and two straight bunts by the Bruins were meant to test the Duck pitcher. Whew!

 

 

8-4 Bruins after seven innings. Oregon's Santiago Garcia only knows how to throw fast-balls, and UCLA hit them out of the park.  Jacob Walsh added a homer for the Ducks, but....

 

 

14-4 UCLA is the final with a run-rule in the eighth.  Bottom line is that none of our relief pitchers could do a lick...and we went through a ton of them.

 

Yeah, I need more Beer...