Texas at Oregon
EUGENE, Ore. (Interstat) — Brody Walls and the Texas bullpen withstood a late Oregon rally as the No. 1-ranked Longhorns edged the Ducks 6-5 on Sunday to complete a two-game sweep at PK Park.
Texas improved to 45-13, while Oregon fell to 43-18. The Longhorns won the opener 11-3 on Saturday.
Texas jumped ahead quickly in the top of the first inning. Caleb Robbins homered to left-center field, and Jalin Tinney followed with a solo shot to right-center, staking starting pitcher Ruger Riojas to a 2-0 lead.
The Longhorns added two more in the second. With runners on second and third and two outs, a wild pitch from Oregon starter Will Sanford allowed Mason Larson to score. Tinney then singled down the left-field line to drive in Jaxson Pendergrass, making it 4-0.
Oregon answered in the bottom of the second. Designated hitter Naulivou Lauaki Jr. singled through the right side to score Dylan Smith, who had doubled, cutting the deficit to 4-1.
The Ducks pulled closer in the third. Smith doubled down the left-field line to drive in Ryan Cooney, and Brody Jaksa singled through the right side to score Smith, making it 4-3.
Both pitchers settled in during the middle innings. Sanford exited after four innings, allowing four runs on four hits with five strikeouts and four walks. Tanner Bradley worked two scoreless innings of relief, striking out three.
Oregon tied the game in the fifth against Riojas. After a walk and two singles loaded the bases, catcher Burke-Lee Mabeus grounded out to second, scoring Adrian Laya to make it 4-4. Riojas struck out Lauaki to end the threat.
The Ducks took their first lead in the seventh. After reliever Ethan Walker issued a leadoff double to Cooney, Walls entered from the bullpen. Cooney advanced to third on a passed ball, and after an intentional walk, Walls was replaced by Xavier Burns. Jaksa then grounded out to shortstop, allowing Cooney to score and put Oregon ahead 5-4.
Texas answered immediately in the eighth. With Toby Twist on the mound for Oregon, Pendergrass grounded out, and Robbins grounded out. Then Tinney walked. Oregon turned to Drew Bell, who hit Desmond Pack Jr. with a pitch and allowed a single to Marcus Becerra that loaded the bases. Christian Rodriguez delivered the decisive blow, doubling down the left-field line to score both Tinney and Pack, giving Texas a 6-5 lead.
Burns, who earned the win, and closer Jake Cozart combined to shut down Oregon in the final two innings. Cozart struck out the side in the ninth — Laya, Cooney and Jace Gimenez all went down swinging — to secure the victory.
Texas finished with nine hits. Tinney, Rodriguez and Sam Mendoza each had two hits. Oregon managed seven hits, with Smith doubling twice and Jaksa adding two hits and two RBIs.
The Longhorns have won four straight and 10 of their last 12. Oregon had won four of five before the weekend series.