Ducks score 6 in 9th for 8-2 win
San Diego, Calif. – Steven Packard scored from second on a sacrifice fly to deep right-center field to break a tie in the top of the ninth inning and spark a six-run inning in No. 14 Oregon’s 8-2 nonconference win over San Diego State in the Ducks’ season opener at Tony Gwynn Stadium on Friday night.
How It Happened: Freshman shortstop Travis Moniot lifted a ball deep into the outfield with one out and the game tied 2-2. Aztec center fielder Chase Calabuig caught the ball, but was bumped by right fielder Tyler Adkison. Packard tagged at second and never broke stride rounding third. Calabuig’s throw was cut off in the infield and the relay throw was to the first-base side of the plate allowing Packard to beat the tag on a bang-bang play.
Packard’s play sparked Oregon to a rally that ended with the Ducks scoring six runs. Sophomore second baseman Daniel Patzlaff followed Moniot’s sacrifice fly with a RBI single scoring Matt Eureste from second. After back-to-back walks to junior Austin Grebeck and freshman Matt Kroon loaded the bases, Patzlaff and Grebeck scored on an error when San Diego State second baseman Justin Wylie booted a hard-hit ball by Jakob Goldfarb. Senior outfielder Nick Catalano capped the scoring with a two-run double driving in Kroon and Goldfarb.
Irvin looks sharp: Oregon starting pitcher Cole Irvin was dominant in the first outing of his senior season. The Ducks’ lefty didn’t give up a run or a walk while striking out nine and scattering six hits over seven innings. Irvin only allowed two runners to reach second base.
Nogosek gets win: Oregon closer Stephen Nogosek picked up the win after San Diego State (0-1) rallied for two runs in the eighth inning to tie the score. Nogosek (1-0) inherited a bases loaded and no-out situation. SDSU scored one run on a sacrifice fly and the second on a slow roller that found the hole between first and second. The right-handed reliever fanned the final hitter he face stranding runners at first and second. Junior Cooper Stiles pitched a scoreless ninth in relief of Nogosek.
Inside the box score: Packard and Patzlaff led the Ducks with two hits each … Patzlaff was 2-for-3 with two runs scored and one RBI … Packard finished 2-for-5 with a run scored … Oregon’s three and four-hole hitters combined to go 0-for-8. Moniot doubled in his first career at-bat in the second inning … Oregon scored two runs in that inning after back-to-back hits by Moniot and Patzlaff led to RBI by Grebeck and A.J. Balta on ground balls … San Diego State used six pitchers with four of them throwing a third of an inning or less and three throwing less than 10 pitches.
On Deck: Oregon (1-0) and San Diego State meet in game two of the three-game series on Saturday. The Ducks send former first-round draft pick Matt Krook to the mound for his first appearance since April 5, 2014. SDSU will counter with right-hander Cody Thompson.