Arizona Storms Back To Take Game Two

Saturday, May 23

Eugene, Ore.

1:00 PM

University of Oregon

14-41, 4-22

Arizona

28-25, 12-14

Arizona

Oregon Ducks

Photo by: Eric Evans/GoDucks.com

05/24/09 | Baseball

Box Score

By: GoDucks.com

EUGENE, Ore. ? Oregon took the early lead, but Arizona put together back-to-back four-run innings and batted around in the eighth en route to a 14-5 victory at PK Park on Saturday.

With the win, Arizona improves to 29-25 on the year and 12-14 in the Pac-10, winning its fourth straight conference series.

The Ducks fall to 14-41 with the loss and 4-22 in the Pac-10, unable to win a conference series this season.

Oregon had a two-run lead after two innings thanks to Paul Eshleman's RBI groundout that scored junior Kenny Bartz, after the starting center fielder led off the bottom of the first with a double to the left center gap. It was the Bellevue, Wash., native's fourth straight game with an extra-base hit.

The Ducks doubled their lead to 2-0 in the second when Caleb Tommasini's leadoff single paid dividends. The senior used his speed to beat out a throw on his infield single, and then stole his 16^th base of the season to move into scoring position for Sean Potkay. The freshman sent a shallow RBI single to left, but again Tommasini used his speed to beat the play at the plate.

But Arizona responded with back-to-back four-run innings in the third and fourth. Oregon starter Tyler Anderson got into trouble in the third after issuing a walk and back-to-back singles, loading the bases with one out and setting the tables for Jett Bandy's two-run single. Brad Glenn then executed a sacrifice fly to center to score Dillon Baird, and Steve Selsky's RBI single brought home Bandy for the Wildcats' 4-2 lead.

One inning later, one hit led to four runs in the top of the fourth as Arizona built an 8-2 advantage on Baird's second grand slam of the season. The Ducks loaded the bases on a fielder's choice, walk and hit batter, before Baird lined a bases-clearing grand slam over the wall in right off Oregon reliever Madison Boer.

Oregon crept as close to 8-5 after seven innings, scoring three runs in the fifth and seventh. In the fifth Eshleman's RBI fielder's choice scored Danny Pulfer. And in the seventh, Curtis Raulinaitis laced a triple that traveled all the way to the wall in left center, and came home on Antony Kreitz's RBI double to a similar spot. With no outs and runners on the corners, KC Serna lifted a ball to deep center that was caught on the warning track, giving Kreitz enough time to tag up from third and score on the sacrifice fly.

But the Ducks hope for a rally ended in the eighth as Arizona batted around, scoring six runs on three hits and one error. Two of those hits were back-to-back home runs from Bandy and Glenn.

Anderson (2-9) took the loss for the Ducks, allowing six runs on four hits and three walks in 3 and 1/3 innings on the mound.

Boer, Ryan Fleckenstein and Scott McGough all appeared in relief.

Arizona's Joe Allison (5-1) earned the win after pitching 1 and 2/3 innings in relief of Wildcats starter Kyle Simon. Simon lasted just 4 and 1/3 innings, allowing three runs on five hits and one walk.

Arizona had 10 hits in the contest, three for extra bases ? all home runs. The Wildcats were walked six times by Oregon's pitching staff.

The Ducks totaled nine hits in the game, but left 10 runners on, including seven in scoring position. The Ducks were also hit five times by the Arizona pitching staff.

Bandy led Arizona with a 3-for-5 performance, collecting four RBIs and scoring two runs. Baird finished his day 2-for-5 with four RBIs and three runs scored.

For Oregon, Raulinaitis was 2-for-3 including his third triple of the season. Bartz was 2-for-4 with a double and run scored, while Eshleman was 2-for-5 with two RBIs.

Oregon and Arizona will play the series finale tomorrow at noon from PK Park.

Tomorrow, Oregon baseball will also host a “Party at the Park” to thank Duck fans for the overwhelming support of the Oregon baseball program in 2009. Prior to the game, University President Dave Frohnmayer will throw out the first pitch to commemorate Oregon's return of baseball and to thank him for his leadership in athletics during his presidency. During the game, prizes will be given out during every inning, and postgame, the gates will open and The Valley Boys will perform, while Oregon baseball players are on hand to meet fans and sign autographs.

Notes: Kenny Bartz has now had an extra-base hit in his last four games...Caleb Tommasini stole his 16^th stolen base of the season, his first since a 5-3 win at Cal on April 18...Antony Kreitz has now reached safely in his last 12 games with an at-bat, recording hits in 11 of those games...Oregon has now lost 12 in a row.