Oregon Looks to Continue Hot Start Against Rival Oregon State

EUGENE, Ore. (Interstat) — A surging Oregon squad hosts rival Oregon State on Tuesday in a nonconference matchup pitting two of the Big 10’s newest members on the diamond.

The Ducks (10-1) have been one of the nation’s hottest teams early, winning 10 of their first 11 games. Their lone loss was an 8-6 road defeat to UC Irvine on Feb. 28. They rebounded with a 6-4 home win over Vanderbilt on Sunday, powered by a strong start from right-hander Cal Scolari.

Scolari, a player to watch for Oregon, tossed six shutout innings, allowing just two hits and striking out eight against the Commodores. In his previous start on Feb. 22, he went four innings, allowing one earned run against Youngstown State.

The Beavers (6-4) arrive after a 4-3 road win at Iowa on Sunday. Their bullpen shined, with four relievers combining for 5 1/3 hitless innings. Eric Segura, a key player for Oregon State, started that game, throwing four innings and allowing one earned run with four strikeouts.

Segura has been inconsistent, however. In his outing prior on Feb. 22 against Purdue, he allowed three earned runs over 4 1/3 innings in a 5-2 loss.

Oregon State’s season has featured narrow results, with six of its 10 games decided by two runs or fewer. The Beavers are 3-2 in those contests.

The Ducks’ offense has been potent, scoring double-digit runs in six games, including a 15-run outburst against Youngstown State on Feb. 22.

According to Interstat’s game simulator, Oregon is projected to win 7-5.

Following Tuesday’s game, Oregon State begins a four-game home series against Xavier on Friday. Oregon opens Big 10 play on the road at Purdue on Friday.