UO drops opener in Mississippi

Friday, March 11

Starkville, Miss.

4:30 PM

University of Oregon

8-3

Mississippi State

10-3-1

Oregon

Mississippi State

Photo by: John Fajardo

03/12/16 | Baseball

Box Score

By: GoDucks.com

STARKVILLE, Miss. – No. 24 Mississippi State scored five runs in the eighth inning to break open a tight game as the Bulldogs handed No. 11 Oregon a 10-4 loss at Dudy Noble Field on Friday night.

How it happened: Oregon (8-3) battled back from a 5-2 deficit with runs in both the seventh and eighth innings to cut the Mississippi State (10-3-1) lead to one, but Cody Brown hit a grand slam to cap a five-run eighth inning for the Bulldogs to secure the win.

Balta gives Ducks early lead: Oregon had a 2-0 lead two batters into the game after A.J. Balta hit a two-run home run to left field in the top of the first. Austin Grebeck led off the inning with a walk and came around to score on Balta's blast. The home run was Balta's third of the season.

Missed opportunities: Despite finishing with just four hits, Oregon had a number of opportunities to score runs stranding 10 runners on base including six in scoring position. Oregon hitters drew eight walks, were hit by two pitches and reached on a throwing error following a strike out to give UO 15 base runners. The Ducks' downfall came, in part, because of 12 strike outs. MSU starter Dakota Hudson (2-1) had a career-high nine Ks.

Rotation takes first loss: After starting the season 4-0, Oregon's weekend rotation was finally tagged with a loss. Cole Irvin (2-1) took the loss giving up five runs, three earned, on nine hits in 5.1 innings with just two strike outs and three walks. Irvin left the game with the bases loaded and one out in the sixth, but Brac Warren came in and got out of the inning allowing just one runner to score.

On deck: The Ducks and Bulldogs will meet in game two of the series on Saturday at 12 p.m. (PT). Matt Krook (0-0, 1.59) will take the mound for the Ducks, while Austin Sexton (1-1, 4.91) gets the start for the Bulldogs.