Ducks Drop Pac-12 Opener

Friday, March 18

Eugene, Ore.

7:00 PM

University of Oregon

8-6, 0-1

Utah

5-11, 1-0

Utah

Oregon

03/19/16 | Baseball

Box Score

By: GoDucks.com

EUGENE, Ore. – The Ducks managed just one run on three hits, while Utah took advantage of good situational hitting and Oregon mistakes to win, 4-1, in the Pac-12 opener on Friday night at PK Park.

How It Happened: Oregon starter Cole Irvin (2-2) matched Utah's Jayson Rose (2-2) through six innings, keeping the game tied at 1-1, before the Utes scored runs in the seventh, eighth and ninth to go up by three. Utah third baseman Dallas Carroll tripled down the left-field line to open the seventh and scored on a wild pitch to the next batter. The Utes got a runner aboard to start both the eighth and the ninth, and both came around to score thanks to a UO error and a passed ball.

The Ducks (8-6, 0-1 Pac-12) tallied just three hits but had opportunities to generate runs, as the Utes walked six and hit one batter. Austin Grebeck opened the game with a walk and advanced to second on a wild pitch, but was picked off at second to erase the threat. The Ducks also got runners to second and third in the sixth, but failed to push across any runs. The Utes surrendered two-out walks in both the eighth and ninth innings, but Oregon couldn't move the runners along to spark a rally.

Utah (5-11, 1-0 Pac-12) took a 1-0 lead in the first when leadoff man Kody Davis doubled down the left-field line and scored after a sacrifice bunt and an RBI groundout. A.J. Balta gave the Ducks the equalizer in the third, lifting a sacrifice fly to left with the bases loaded to score Travis Moniot and tie the game at 1-1.

Irvin Regains Form: Irvin bounced back from his shortest outing of the year last week – allowing five runs over 5.1 innings in a loss at Mississippi State – to hold the Utes to three runs, two earned, over 7.1 innings while striking out six. Irvin recorded his team-leading fourth quality start of the season and the 21st of his career. Irvin's six strikeouts brought his season total to 35, while he has walked just five batters.

Notable: After getting on base twice on Friday with a walk and a hit, leadoff man Austin Grebeck has reached base in all 14 games this year and 27 games in a row dating back to last season … Matt Eureste made his first start of the season, playing third base … Matt Kroon made his first career start at first base, going 1-for-3 with a single and walk … Brac Warren and Jacob Bennett combined to allow one unearned run in 1.2 innings in relief of Irvin.

On Deck: The Ducks will look to even the series at a game apiece on Saturday, with first pitch scheduled for 2:03 p.m. Oregon will send left-hander Matt Krook (0-1, 4.08) to the mound, and the Utes will counter right-hander Dalton Carroll (3-1, 3.27).