The Oregon Ducks closed their four-game series against the Lafayette Leopards with a win on Sunday afternoon, 12-2.
Oregon’s offense got hot early. In the second inning, the Ducks were able to bat all the way through the order, scoring 5 runs to make the score 6-0. After that, Oregon scored 6 more runs, 4 of which came via the home run.
Oregon’s hitters came to the plate with good approaches, but they also got a lot of help from the Lafayette pitching staff. After nine innings, the Leopards had combined for 6 walks, 6 HBPs, and 3 wild pitches.
Oregon’s pitchers, on the other hand, were dominant. The first six innings were hosted by Kevin Seitter, who struck out 11 batters while only allowing 5 to reach base. For the last three innings, the Ducks leaned on Brock Moore, Jaxson Jordan, and Turner Spoljaric, who allowed no runs to close out the game. All combined, the Ducks struck out 16 of the 27 batters they faced.
Oregon’s right fielder Jeffery Heard posted another solid offensive performance on Sunday. In 4 ABs, Heard was 2/4 with a single and a double, with an RBI and a run scored. The only time Heard didn’t reach base was in the 7th inning when Leopards’ right fielder leaped to rob him of a 3-run home run. The season is young, but Heard already looks like a star on the rise.
The Ducks will have a few days off before hosting the Santa Barbara Gauchos — who are 2-3 to start the season — for a three-game series starting on Friday. After that, Oregon will head to Phoenix for a two-game series against Grand Canyon University.