Ducks Sweep Doubleheader from Cougars

Friday, April 6

Eugene, Ore.

12:00 PM

University of Oregon

17-11, 4-6

Washington State

8-16, 3-7

Washington State

Oregon

Photo by: Deborah Mundorff

04/06/18 | Baseball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 Game One Box Score: Oregon 2, Washington State 1 Game Two Box Score: Oregon 4, Washington State 2

EUGENE, Ore. – Fueled by outstanding starting pitching, Oregon Ducks won both games of a doubleheader over Washington State on Friday at PK Park, including a 2-1 win in Game 1 and a 4-2 win in the nightcap.

Oregon's (18-11, 5-6 Pac-12) starting pitching was the catalyst for the doubleheader sweep, with junior Matt Mercer and sophomore Kenyon Yovan combining to pitch 13 innings, allowing only two runs and eight hits while walking five and striking out 13. Both starters earned wins, with Mercer improving to 4-2 on the year and Yovan, the reigning Pac-12 Pitcher of the Week, earning his third victory of 2018 (3-1).

Spencer Steer was 3-for-5 in the doubleheader, while Daniel Patzlaff's two-run home run for the Ducks in the third inning gave the Ducks a four-run lead they would never relinquish.

Ducks head coach George Horton, after praising the efforts of the starters in saying, "that's what it's supposed to look like", cited the resilient performance of Ryne Nelson in game two as a key to the doubleheader sweep as well as his status as the starting shortstop allowing him to avoid the potential dormancy during game two that could otherwise impact a closer who isn't also a position player.

"We kind of thought he (Nelson) would be off the board," said Horton. "He came to Coach (Dietrich) late and said he felt really good. The good news is he's out there throwing all day, so it's not like he sat around. He was a little tired in the second one – he only threw 100."

"I had a feeling I was going to be going in the second one," said Nelson. "(Pitching coach Jason) Dietrich asked me if I was good to go and I said, 'yeah'.

"Usually the velocity will go down, but it was still up there after the whole game. I felt more stretched out in the second game than I have in most appearances. I just felt good, honestly."

Yovan, who is 3-0 with a 1.00 ERA in three starts since moving to the rotation, cited the certainty of knowing when he will pitch as a key component to his success.

"It feels good being able to throw once a week and knowing exactly when I'm going to throw and being able to do my arm care and make sure I can keep strong in the weight room" said Yovan. "And then having Ryne (Nelson) in there. It's nice to have that.

"I feel stronger through the game the later I'm in there. The adrenaline starts getting in there as well as the closer mentality that I have. It's something I've always had and hopefully something I'll continue to have."

Game 1: Oregon 2, Washington State 1
Mercer and two relievers combined on a two-hitter as the Ducks took the opening game of the series, 2-1, over Washington State Friday afternoon at PK Park.

How it Happened Game One: Mercer allowed just one run on two hits over six innings. He struck out five and walked three in improving to 4-2 on the season.

Oregon's bullpen was just as impressive. After Parker Kelly hit Justin Harrer to put runners on first and second with one out in the eighth, Nelson moved to the mound from shortstop. He walked Blake Clanton to load the bases before striking out James Rudkin and JJ Hancock to end the threat.

Nelson then set the side down in order in the ninth inning for his third save of the season. Nelson struck out four of the five batters he faced.

The Ducks scored their only two runs of the game in the third inning on a pair of hits, an error, a stolen base and a sacrifice fly. Kyle Kasser opened the inning with a single and moved to third when Jonny DeLuca reached base on an error. DeLuca then stole second base before Steer drove in Kasser on a sacrifice fly, with DeLuca tagging and advancing to third on the play. Gabe Matthews then gave the Ducks a 2-1 lead on a sharp single to right that plated DeLuca.

The Cougars (8-17, 3-8 Pac-12) got on the scoreboard in the top of the third inning when Andres Alvares followed a pair of two-out walks with an RBI single.

Game One Notes: Steer snapped a 1-for-21 skid with a first inning single. Steer had been held to just one hit since being hit on the hand Feb. 24 versus California … It was Nelson's first save since Mar. 10 against UC Davis; Nelson went 1-for-3 at the plate in the first game … Kelly made his team-leading 14th appearance of the season.

Game 2: Oregon 4, Washington State 2
Yovan pitched a career-high seven innings in his third career start, striking out eight and allowing one run in improving to 3-1 on the year in a 4-2 Oregon win. Yovan allowed six hits and walked two, and the right-hander has set a career-high total in innings in each of his three starts (5.0 vs. Cal, 6.0 at Stanford, 7.0 vs. WSU).

Nelson recorded his second save of the day and his fourth of the season, pitching a scoreless ninth to preserve the 4-2 victory. Nelson, who also started at shortstop in both games, was one of four Ducks with two-hit games in the second game, joining Jakob Goldfarb (2-for-5), Spencer Steer (2-for-3) and Daniel Patzlaff (2-for-4).

How it Happened Game Two: The Ducks struck early in the victory in the nightcap, including four first-inning hits and Patzlaff's first home run of the season (fourth career) to extend the lead to 4-0 in the third. Spencer Steer continued his hot hitting with a first-inning RBI single, while Matthews contributed a sacrifice fly during the at-bat that preceded Patzlaff's homer.

Yovan's dominant performance was his third consecutive win, encompassing all three of his starts since moving to the rotation. Nelson pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning to preserve the win.

The Cougars did not advance a runner past second base until the sixth inning, when WSU finally scored a run on an RBI single and loaded the bases with two outs, with Oregon leading 4-1. Yovan struck out pinch-hitter Ryan Ramsower to end the inning and strand three runners, preserving the lead.

Left fielder Taylor Travess contributed a spectacular diving catch to end the fourth inning.

Oregon threatened again affter a double steal put runners on second and third for Oregon in the bottom of the seventh, Matthews drew a two-out walk to load the bases, but a groundout ended the inning and stranded three.

Hunter Breault relieved Yovan in the eighth, and WSU second baseman Justin Harrer led off the inning with a solo home run to left field. Following a double by Clanton, Breault retired the next hitter on a ground out back to the mound. Lefty Nico Tellache then entered the game and struck out Cougar right fielder JJ Hancock for the second out. Tellache then fanned pinch-hitter Wyatt Segle to end the threat.

Game Two Notes: Patzlaff's home run was his first since Feb. 24, 2017 vs. UC Irvine, which happened during the Tony Gwynn Classic at San Diego … Yovan recorded a career high in innings for the third consecutive outing, as his five innings pitched vs. Cal and six at Stanford in his last two respective starts both set career-best totals

Doubleheader Notes: Oregon's three doubleheaders so far this year are the most since the Ducks played four in 2010… In taking the first two games of the series, Oregon has the opportunity to record its first Pac-12 series sweep since April 15-17, 2016 vs. USC at PK Park … On the day, Duck pitchers limited Cougar hitters to a .159 average (10-for-63) … The Ducks are 6-0 this year in doubleheaders.

On Deck: The Ducks and Cougars are scheduled to play the series finale Saturday at 2 p.m. with Kolby Somers (1-3, 3.16 ERA) getting the start for the Ducks. If weather forces a cancellation, the two teams will play game three on Sunday at noon.