The Pac-12 is going to be hard-pressed to find someone other than Anthony Hall to be the conference player of the year.
Oregon’s right-fielder drove in five runs, including a bases-clearing triple in the eighth inning, as the Ducks were able to down California –. Coupled with the Beavers’ 2-1 loss at Utah, Oregon moved to within a game of first place with a 12-7 record and 27-14 overall.
Not only did Hall hit his fifth triple of the season, but he also smacked a two-run double in the sixth to give the Ducks a 3-2 lead. In reality, if it wasn’t windy and raining at PK Park, Hall might have had two home runs.
The win was a nice rebound from a rough week where the Ducks lost a series to Washington State and a mid-week defeat to Oregon State.
It was also pitcher RJ Gordon”s best outing since being named as the permanent Friday night starter. He threw 5 2/3 innings, giving up just two runs and two hits while striking out four.
Closer Kolby Somers earned his eighth save of the season. He came on in the eighth inning with the Ducks up 3-2 and the go-ahead runs on base. But Somers was able to strike out Rodney Green, Jr. to end the threat.
Oregon and Cal will meet up for Game 2 Saturday afternoon at 2:05 p.m. with Isaac Ayon (2-1, 5.33 ERA) on the mound facing the Bears’ Joseph King (3-2, 3.29 ERA).