Oregon captures walk-off win over Xavier in season-opener
The Oregon baseball program opens its season this afternoon at PK Park in Eugene against Xavier.
After last year’s trip to the Louisville regional, the Ducks boast a consensus top-25 squad and feature no shortage of talent.
Junior right-hander Logan Mercado is getting the starting nod for the Ducks. Follow along for updates throughout the afternoon.
First inning
T1 Oregon starter Logan Mercado delivered a clean first inning and struck out two batters in the opening frame.
B1: Oregon got on the board first thanks to Owen Diodati’s RBI double to left field.
Second inning
T2: Mercado struck out two more batters in the second during a scoreless frame, and now sits at four punchouts on the day.
B2: Oregon went down in order in the second.
Third inning
T3: Mercado struck out the side in the third and now sits at seven K’s on the day. But he surrendered a solo homer. Oregon and Xavier are tied 1-1.
B3: Oregon was retired in order.
Fourth inning
T4: Mercado produced another scoreless frame to keep the game tied at 1-1.
B4: Oregon goes down in order again and now has had nine straight batters retired.
Fifth inning
T5: Jacob Hughes replaces Logan Mercado on the mound for Oregon.
Mercado’s final line for the day was: 4.0 innings, 2 hits, 1 earned run, two walks, 7 strikeouts.
Xavier ambushed Hughes and took a 2-1 lead after loading the bases.
B5: Oregon goes down in order again. 12 straight Ducks have been retired.
Sixth inning
T6: Hughes retired the Musketeers in order.
B6: Colby Shade nearly notched his first hit of the season. But Xavier center fielder Garrett Schultz made a spectacular catch to rob him. Oregon was retired in order in the sixth.
Seventh inning
T7: Austin Anderson came on in the seventh for Oregon and escaped a bases-loaded jam to keep the Xavier lead at 2-1.
B7: Tanner Smith’s single was Oregon’s first hit since the first inning. But the Ducks could not capitalize and still trail 2-1.
Eighth inning
T8: Oregon freshman lefty Ian Umlandt comes on to make his first career appearance for the Ducks.
Owen Diodati made a spectacular diving catch down the right field line to save a run and keep the score at 2-1.
B8: Josiah Cromwick cracked a leadoff double to get Oregon started in the eighth. Towns King followed by ripping one through the right side to plate Cromwick and tie the game at 2-2.
Ninth inning
T9: Josh Mollerus hurled a scoreless eighth to keep the game tied at 2-2.
B9: Diodati lifted a sacrifice fly to plate Nishida and give Oregon a 3-2 win in the season-opener.
