Errors Costly In Loss At Pepperdine

Sunday, February 21

Malibu, Calif.

1:00 PM

University of Oregon

2-1

Pepperdine

2-1

Oregon

Pepperdine

Paul Eshleman, Baseball 2009 vs Arizona, May 24

Photo by: Eric Evans/GoDucks.com

02/22/10 | Baseball

Box Score

By: GoDucks.com

MALIBU, Calif. – Oregon made a valiant comeback, but defensive errors proved too costly as the Ducks fell 11-7 to Pepperdine on Sunday at Eddy D. Field Stadium.

The Ducks now fall to 2-1, while the Waves improve to 2-1.

The Ducks trailed the Waves just 14-12 for hits on the day, but UO committed five errors to Pepperdine's one.
Oregon climbed back from its early six-run deficit in the top of the eighth as Jack Marder led things off with an infield single, and Eddie Rodriguez was walked to put two runners on with no outs.

After Paul Eshleman flew out to center field, Mitch Karraker, in a pinch-hit situation, was walked by Pepperdine reliever Keven Inman, and two batters later Danny Pulfer singled to center field to load bases with one out as UO trailed 11-3. Inman then walked in Shawn Peterson to bring in a run. Freshman J.J. Altobelli then answered with some power, hitting a two-run single to left center – his second straight multiple RBI game of the season.

Hart lined out to the shortstop, but KC Serna was up next and didn't let the two-out situation phase him, knocking a RBI single to right field scoring Peterson to close within 11-7.

In the ninth, Pepperdine brought on sophomore lefty Aaron Gates to pitch the final inning. Andrew Mendenhall was able to reach on a one-out error, but Eshleman struck out and Pulfer grounded out to Gates to end it.

Trailing 11-1 entering the sixth, Oregon put up a two-run spot as a two-out rally was sparked by Rodriguez's single. Eshleman then singled to right field, and Pulfer hit one back up the middle to load the bases for Peterson.

The Eugene native stepped up to the test lacing a two-run single back up the middle.

Oregon was behind 6-0 until the top of the fourth when Eshleman smashed a two-out homer over the fence in left field. It was the first long ball of the 2010 season for the Ducks and the third of Eshleman's career.

Pepperdine dinged up Oregon freshman starter Christian Jones early putting three runs on the board in the first and another three in the second as Oregon's defense also struggled committing three early errors.

The last time Ducks committed five errors in a game was a 7-1 loss to Oregon State on March 27, 2009.
Jones, a lefty, took the loss and lasted three and 1/3 innings, allowing seven runs (only three earned) on eight hits and one walk, while striking out two.

Freshman Ryan Hambright , who had started at first base for the first two games of the year, also pitched for the first time. He allowed four runs (two earned) on four hits.

Geoff Nichols, Ryan Fleckenstein and Joey Housey combined to toss the final three and 2/3 innings to hold the Waves scoreless.

Pepperdine's Robert Dickmann, a lefty as well, held the Ducks to three earned runs on eight hits, pitching seven innings in the win and striking out three.

Pepperdine freshman Joe Sever was a perfect 5-for-5 at the plate with a triple and four runs scored. Torrey Jacoby was 2-for-5 with a double, while Nate Johnson was 2-for-4 with two RBIs.

On offense, the Ducks were led by Eshleman's 3-for-5 performance which included a round tripper. Also in his first start of the year, Peterson was 1-for-3 with a walk and three RBIs.

Serna and Pulfer were both 2-for-5.

Defensively, Serna committed three errors while Jones and Rodriguez were also tapped for an error each.

Oregon returns to the field tomorrow to play Loyola Marymount at 2 p.m.