Ducks Win, Even Series With Cal

Saturday, April 9

Eugene, Ore.

2:00 PM

University of Oregon

13-12, 3-5

California

19-8, 8-3

California

Oregon

Photo by: Deborah Mundorff

04/10/16 | Baseball

Box Score

By: GoDucks.com

Photo: Deborah Mundorff

EUGENE, Ore. – Oregon limited No. 9 California to just five hits and the Ducks hit a pair of home runs to beat the Golden Bears, 4-3, and even the three-game series at a game apiece on Saturday at PK Park.

How It Happened: With the game tied at 2-2 in the fifth, A.J. Balta gave the Ducks a 4-2 lead with a two-run home run to right, bringing in Kyle Kasser who reached with a two-out walk. California right-fielder Brian Celsi flew over the short fence in his attempt to bring the ball back, but it fell just out of his reach into the Oregon bullpen.

Oregon starter Matt Krook (2-1) limited the Golden Bears to just two runs, one earned, over 6.2 innings, and the bullpen duo of Brac Warren and Stephen Nogosek held the Golden Bears to one run over the final 2.1 innings. California picked up a run with two outs in the eighth, but Nogosek threw a perfect ninth inning to secure the win and even the series.

Austin Grebeck gave the Ducks an early lead with a leadoff home run in the bottom of the first, his first home run of the season and second of his career. California (19-8, 8-3 Pac-12) evened the game at 1-1 in the third, with center fielder Aaron Knapp picking up an RBI single to center.

Oregon (13-12, 3-5 Pac-12) reclaimed the lead, 2-1, in the bottom of the third when Grebeck walked to start the inning, advanced to third on a Golden Bears' error and scored on sacrifice fly by Balta. California again battled to even the score in the fifth when the leadoff man reached on an error, stole second, advanced to third on a wild pitch and came in to score on a groundout to tie the game 2-2.

Krook Solid in Win: Making his first start since holding Washington scoreless over five innings on March 25, Krook flashed dominant stuff while picking up his second win of the season. The left-hander held California to just two hits while striking out nine, and was able to work around a career-high tying six walks to limit the damage to just two runs. Krook made his first career relief appearance on Wednesday against Portland, and has now allowed just one earned run with 16 strikeouts in 12.2 innings over his last three appearances.

Grebeck, Balta Power UO Offense: Grebeck continued a strong series after going 2-for-4 on Friday. The Ducks' center fielder was 1-for-3 on Saturday with the home run, a walk and two runs scored, and leads the team in batting (.286), slugging (.407) and on-base percentage (.411). Balta's three RBI on Saturday put him in the team-lead with 20, and his fifth-inning home run was his team-leading fifth of the season and the eighth of his career. Balta and Grebeck drove in all four or Oregon's runs and scored three of the four.

Notable: Nogosek picked up his seventh save of the season and has allowed just three earned runs in 18.0 innings over a team-high 13 appearances … The run allowed by Warren in the eighth was just the second earned run he has allowed this season in 11.1 innings pitched … Catcher Slade Heggen made his fifth start of the season and picked up his second career hit with a single in the second inning … Head Coach George Horton is now just ten wins shy of reaching 1,000 for his career.

On Deck: The Ducks and the Golden Bears will face off in the rubber match of the three-game series at noon on Sunday at PK Park. Oregon left-hander David Peterson (2-2, 1.42) will take the mound for the Ducks, while Cal will counter with lefty Matt Ladrech (3-1, 3.18).