Ducks lose lead, drop game at Utah

Saturday, April 1

Salt Lake City, Utah

11:00 AM

University of Oregon

17-7, 5-3

Utah

11-13, 2-6

Oregon

Utah

04/01/17 | Baseball

Box Score

SALT LAKE CITY – Oregon jumped out to a four-run lead but Utah scored 10 unanswered runs to hand the Ducks an 11-5 Pac-12 Conference loss at Smith's Ballpark on Saturday. The Utes evened the series at 1-1 with the win.

How it Happened: Oregon (17-7, 5-3 Pac-12) didn't waste any time jumping on top scoring three runs in the first inning. Freshman Spencer Steer launched a home run over the left-field wall to score Jake Bennett and Gabe Matthews, both who reached with two-out base hits.

Utah (11-13, 2-6 Pac-12) answered with a run in the bottom of the first to cut the lead to 3-1, but the Ducks extended the lead in the top of the fifth. Bennett and Matthews each drove in runs with a bases loaded walk off Utes starter Riley Otteson (4-1).

Utah rallied with two runs in the bottom of the fifth and three runs in the seventh to take the lead. Wade Gulden's two-run homer with two outs in the seventh of Connor Zwetsch was the big blow. The Utes added five more off Oregon pitching in the eighth.

Inside the box score: Steer's home run was his second of the season … Mercer's streak of quality starts was snapped at five … Mercer allowed three runs, two earned, on seven hits in 4.2 innings with 1 strikeout and two walks … Oregon was 16-0 when leading after six innings heading into the game … Utah was 10-for-23 (.435) with runners on base.

On Deck: The Ducks and Utes play game three at 12 p.m. (PT) on Sunday. Zack Noll will pitch for Oregon, while Josh Lapiana will take the mound for Utah.