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

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...

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.

4-2 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 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.

4-4 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!