Ducks Fight Back, But Fall Short In Super Regional

Sunday, June 7

Austin, Texas

6:00 p.m.

University of Oregon

43-18

Texas

45-13

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Texas	2	2	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	6	9	0
Oregon	0	1	2	0	1	0	1	0	0	5	7	1

Ducks Fight Back, But Fall Short In Super Regional

06/07/26 | Baseball

Box Score Box Score: #6 Texas 6, #15 Oregon 5 Photo Gallery

By: Nate Krueger

AUSTIN, Texas — The Oregon baseball team stormed back from an early 4-0 deficit and took a one-run lead in the seventh inning on Sunday, but No. 6 Texas responded with two runs in the eighth to clinch the NCAA Austin Super Regional with a 6-5 win at Disch-Falk Field.

The No. 11 Ducks (43-18) fall just short of reaching the College World Series for the first time in the modern era and first time since 1954. Oregon reached the NCAA Super Regional round for the third time in the last four years and fourth time in program history.

After going 0-for-14 with runners in scoring position on Saturday, the Ducks put together much better at-bats in key situations in game two. Each of Oregon's first three runs came with two outs – scoring one in the second inning and two in the third – and both Burke-Lee Mabeus and Brayden Jaksa put the ball in play with a runner on third to score the tying and go-ahead runs in the fifth and seventh innings, respectively.

"I couldn't be more proud of the efforts of our team, especially the senior class," head coach Mark Wasikowski said. "The fight in our team is evident. A lot of clubs probably have come in this place and they just crumble, and our club didn't do that. Our club will never do that."

Texas got clutch hitting of its own in the top of the eighth, loading the bases after the frame started with two quick outs. A two-run double down the third-base line put the Longhorns back in front, and Texas closer Sam Cozart retired the Ducks in order in the eighth and ninth innings to clinch the Longhorns' spot in the College World Series.

Team_ASR GM2

How it Happened: The designated road team in its home ballpark for game two, Texas jumped on UO starter Will Sanford with back-to-back solo home runs to open the game. A wild pitch and an RBI single brought in two more runs in the second as the Longhorns scored multiple runs in each of the first two innings for the second night in a row.

The Ducks began chipping away at the 4-0 deficit in the bottom of the second, when Drew Smith ripped a leadoff double and came in to score on a two-out, RBI single by Naulivou Lauaki Jr. Smith doubled once again in the third, this time driving in Ryan Cooney with two outs before then scoring on an RBI single by Jaksa to make it a one-run game.

Smith would finish 2-for-3 with two doubles, two runs scores and an RBI in his 172nd and final start as a Duck. He ends his career all over the Oregon record book, including in a tie for fourth with 211 hits after collecting his 68th multi-hit game.

"It's probably been the best four years of my life," Smith said. "The coaching staff and the players that I've been around, it's lifelong friendships. It's four years I'll never forget … I'll be a Duck forever."

Smith_ASR GM2

Smith and power-hitting infielder Dominic Hellman both spent all four years of their careers at Oregon, helping lead the Ducks to the NCAA Regionals in all four seasons with three Super Regional appearances.

"He's been a huge part of growing this thing with all of the seniors," Wasikowski said of Smith. "I'm very grateful for all their efforts, and their commitment to this program and building it. We're going to continue to build."

The Longhorns loaded the bases with two outs in the top of the fourth, prompting Oregon to turn to standout reliever Tanner Bradley. The sophomore stranded the bases loaded with a strikeout, and he would stabilize things for the Ducks on the mound with 3.1 scoreless innings of work while allowing just two baserunners and striking out five.

Two singles and a walk loaded the bases for the Ducks in the fifth, and Mabeus did just enough to tie the game with an RBI groundout to second base.

Bradley_ASR GM2

With Bradley keeping the Longhorns at bay, UO put the pressure back on in the seventh. Cooney opened the inning with a double and went to third on a passed ball, and Jaksa gave Oregon its first lead of the weekend with a groundout for his second RBI of the night.

Reliever Toby Twist got two quick outs to start the eighth inning before issuing a walk. Wasikowski turned to his closer, Devin Bell, who loaded the bases on a hit batter and an infield single. Adrian Rodriguez ripped a 3-1 pitch just past a diving Smith inside the third-base bag for a two-run double, putting Texas back in front.

Texas turned to Cozart for a six-out save, and he retired all six Ducks he faced with four strikeouts to clinch the Super Regional for the Longhorns.

Box Score Notes: Smith finishes his UO career in the top 10 in program history for multi-RBI games (T-2nd, 37), multiple-hit games (3rd, 68), hits (T-4th, 211), home runs (6th, 28), runs (6th, 124) and games started (9th, 172) … Cooney was 2-for-5 as he and Smith both notched their 23rd multi-hit games of the season, tied for the team lead … Jaksa drove in multiple runs for the 10th time this season … Bradley worked multiple innings and allowed zero runs for the 15th time this season.

Jaksa_ASR GM2