Tag: Sam Novitske

UCLA’s Jake Brooks pitches a gem to keep the Oregon bats quiet

UCLA’s Jake Brooks shut down the potent Oregon offense for eight innings as the Bruins take Game 1 over the Ducks 3-2.

To be fair, RJ Gordon deserved better.

The Oregon Ducks Friday night starter pitched really well, but UCLA’s Jake Brooks was just a little better as the Bruins defeated Oregon 3-2 in the first game of a three-game weekend series in Los Angeles.

Gordon pitched his best game of the season through 5 2/3 innings. But a single and a JonJon Vaughns home run tied the game and knocked the Ducks pitcher out of the game after 106 pitches. UCLA scored one more in the inning, which was charged to Gordon and he became the hard-luck loser.

With the loss, Oregon dropped to 18-8 overall and 7-3 in league play. UCLA improved to 17-8 and 4-3 in Pac-12 action.

For the first time all season, the Ducks couldn’t solve a starting pitcher as Brooks was absolutely dominating over eight innings. He gave up just two runs, six hits and three strikeouts. The only blemish was Sam Novitske’s two-run homer in the fifth. It was his first homer of the season and just the second of his career.

Oregon attempted to rally in the ninth as Jacob Walsh led the frame off with a double. That was when the Bruins pulled Brooks and at that point, the Ducks would have liked to see anyone else on that mound.

But freshman Gage Jump coaxed a pop out, a groundout and then struck out Josiah Cromwick to end the game.

These two teams will be back at it Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. for Game 2 of the series. Oregon will send out Isaac Ayon (2-0, 5.74 ERA) and he will face Max Rajcic (2-3, 2.92 ERA).

Oregon baseball goes for the sweep after defeating UCLA in extra innings

Sam Novitske’s single gave Oregon the 3-2 extra-inning win over UCLA at PK Park Saturday.

In what Winnie the Pooh would consider a blustery day, the Oregon Ducks baseball team had to go 10 innings to defeat UCLA for the second straight game.

Both Oregon and the Bruins had their chances to score throughout the day, but it was Sam Novitske’s single to left that scored Bryce Boettcher for the victory.

With the win, Oregon goes to 24-8 overall and 10-4 in conference play. The Ducks also moved ahead of Oregon State for first place, a half-game ahead of the Beavers, who aren’t playing conference games this weekend.

Kenyon Yovan got the 10th inning started the right way with a solid single to right. Boettcher replaced the Duck’s power hitter on the bases and moved up to second on an errant pick-off play. With first now open, Aaron Zavala was intentionally walked.

Josh Kasevich hit into a fielder’s choice, putting runners on the corners with one out. Gabe Matthews also received the intention pass as UCLA wanted to put a force on every base, hoping to wiggle out of the jam. But Novitske was able to rip a 2-0 pitch to left for the win.

Wiggling out of jams seemed to be the theme of the day for both teams. Oregon managed to get themselves in a major pickle in the top of the ninth as the Bruins managed to have runners on second and third with no out.

Duck pitcher Andrew Mosiello struck out Michael Curialle for the first out. Then the fireworks began.

Noah Cardenas grounded to Kasevich at shortstop, who processed to throw home, getting Mikey Perez in a run down. Catcher Jack Scanlon ran Perez back to third where UCLA had to runners at third base. Jack Filby, who was on second, was the runner that was out, but in the confusion, Bruins third base coach Rex Peters put his hands on Scanlon. This sent Oregon coach Mark Wasikowski bursting out of the dugout demanding what was going on.

After order was restored, Mosiello whiffed Kyle Karros to end the inning.

Kolby Somers, who earned his seventh save in the series opener, came on to pitch a perfect 10th inning and was credited with the win.

Oregon will go for the series sweep Sunday afternoon with Brett Walker (4-1, 3.53 ERA) on the mound where he will go up against Jesse Bergin (4-2, 4.29 ERA) for a noon start time at PK Park.

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Ahlstrom dominates UCLA in key Friday night win for Ducks

Oregon Ducks ace pitcher Robert Ahlstrom retires 17 straight Bruins as Oregon holds on for a 5-3 win over UCLA in a key Friday night win.

Fingernails might be at a premium at PK Park if the opener against UCLA is any indication.

Oregon Ducks starter Robert Ahlstrom retired 17 straight Bruins and then Kolby Somers came on to earn his seventh save in the 5-3 victory.

At one point this was a pitcher’s duel as UCLA hurler Zach Pettway was dealing right with Ahlstrom. He was ahead 1-0 through five innings, but the Ducks cracked the scoreboard with a run in the sixth and four more in the seventh to go up 5-1.

Kenyon Yovan gave Oregon the lead with a double to right-center and later Sam Novitske made it 4-1 Ducks with a two-run single that scored Yovan and Aaron Zavala. Oregon scored one more run thanks to a fielding error.

Ahlstrom (3-3) was in cruise control and was looking for the complete game. But UCLA got to Oregon’s ace in the ninth with three straight hits and a run. That prompted Oregon coach Mark Wasikowski to call on Somers out of the bullpen.

After a walk to load the bases and bringing the go-ahead run to the plate, Somers buckled down for a strikeout, a fielder’s choice, and a groundout to finish off the Bruins.

With the win, the Ducks move to 23-8 overall and 9-4 in conference action. Oregon is now one game behind Oregon State and alone in second place.

The No. 13 Ducks and Bruins will meet for Game 2 of the series Saturday afternoon at 2 pm with Cullen Kafta (4-1, 2.44 ERA) on the mound.