This could have gone the exact opposite way.
That’s how close this weekend series went between Oregon and UCLA down at Jackie Robinson Stadium. Unfortunately for the Ducks, it was the Bruins who came out with a weekend sweep with a 5-4 victory. It was the third straight one-run decision that went UCLA’s favor.
With the loss, the Ducks fell to 18-10 overall and 7-5 in league play. UCLA was able to improve to 19-8 overall and 6-3 in conference action. Oregon has lost three straight games for the first time since losing the first three games of the season at San Diego.
As with the first two games against the Bruins, Oregon was able to grab the lead early on. The Ducks scored single runs in each of the first four innings eventually taking a 4-2 lead. Josh Kasevich’s homer gave Oregon a 2-1 lead and Anthony Hall’s long home run in the fourth helped the Ducks take a 4-1 advantage.
Oregon had planned to have this be a bullpen game with Matt Dallas starting. But UCLA was forced to go with a bullpen game when starter Thatcher Hurd had to leave after facing just three hitters due to an illness or injury.
The two teams combined to use 10 pitchers.
UCLA’s Malakhi Knight doubled home two runs in the sixth to tie the game at 4-4. The Bruins then took the lead in the next inning on Kyle Karros’ home run to left.
Closer Gage Jump earned a six-out save by pitching the last two innings.
Oregon will now take a break from Pac-12 play when they host Ball State in a four-game series at PK Park with a doubleheader scheduled for Saturday. The Cardinals are 17-9 overall and just saw their 10-game winning streak get snapped with a 5-1 loss to Toledo.