It would be a tough assignment to match what Jace Stoffal did to the No. 7 Stanford team. But Logan Mercado was up to the task.
The junior starting pitcher threw Oregon’s second straight complete game and the Duck offense backed him up with three home runs as the home team defeated the No. 7 Cardinal 8-1 at PK Park.
Mercado came into the game with a 6.75 earned run average, but he kept the Stanford hitters off balance all day long as he needed 111 pitches for the nine innings. He gave up just five hits and struck out seven.
The Ducks got on the board to support Mercado in the third when Drew Cowley hit a run-scoring double and Sabin Ceballos RBI fielder’s choice. Jacob Walsh hit his first of two homers in the fourth to make it 3-0. The Oregon first baseman was wearing No. 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day.
Ceballos put the game out of reach in the fifth with a bomb to left to make it 5-0. Walsh hit another solo shot in the seventh to complete his good day with three runs batted in.
Oregon’s offense did its damage against Matt Scott, who came into the game with an ERA of just 2.05. He was saddled with his first career loss.
The Ducks will go for the sweep Sunday afternoon as they send Leo Uelmen (2-3, 6.55 ERA) and the Cardinal will counter with Joey Dixon (3-0, 4.38 ERA).
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