Oregon leans on timely hitting, strong bullpen showing to capture comeback win over Baylor
For the better part of four innings on Saturday, Oregon had no answer for Baylor starter Collin McKinney.
Once the Ducks worked their way into the Bears’ bullpen, though, they wasted no time orchestrating a comeback win.
Oregon erupted for seven runs in the middle inning and captured a 7-4 victory over Baylor at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas to improve to 2-0 on the season. Jeffery Heard, Drew Smith, and Justin Cassella each had two hits and an RBI for the Ducks.
Jacob Walsh, Bennett Thompson, and Carter Garate also drove in runs for Oregon.
In the first start of his Oregon career, former Quinnipiac standout Kevin Seitter struggled to produce many swings and misses. In 4.0 innings of work, he allowed four runs — three of which were earned — on five hits and one walk and struck out one batter.
But, for the second day in a row, the Ducks’ bullpen was lights out.
Gonzaga transfer Bradley Mullens tossed 2.0 scoreless innings and struck out four. Jaxon Jordan struck out two in a scoreless seventh inning.
Senior right-hander Logan Mercado slammed the door on the Bears and retired all six batters he faced during the eighth and ninth innings to record the save.
The Bears ambushed Seitter for a pair of runs in the second inning to put the Ducks on the back foot.
Hunter Simmons smashed a hard-hit ball to right on the second pitch of the inning. Heard attempted a diving catch but missed, resulting in a stand-up triple for Simmon. The next batter, Gavin Brzozowski, produced an RBI groundout to get the Bears on the boards.
Then, Mason Greer crushed a solo homer to right to make it 2-0.
One inning later, Baylor taxed Seitter for another run. Enzo Apodaca drew a one-out walk, then went first-to-third on a well-executed hit-and-run from Ty Johnson. The next batter, Hunter Teplanszky, blooped an RBI single to left.
Seitter battled through the rest of the inning, though, and forced Greer into a weak ground out to escape a bases-loaded jam.
Baylor struck again in the fourth when Apodcaca laced a two-out triple to make it 4-0.
McKinney, who missed last season due to injury, kept the Ducks in check for much of the afternoon. In his collegiate debut, the freshman right-hander did not allow a hit during the first three innings and struck out four batters during that span.
But the Oregon bats came to life in the fourth inning. Thompson ripped a single through the left side to score Cassella and put UO on the board.
Then, in the fifth, the Ducks chased McKinney when Carter Garate drew a one-out walk and Smith followed with a single to left. Baylor turned to right-hander Grant Golomb, and Walsh greeted him with an RBI double to left that cut the Bears’ lead to 4-2.
Before the inning was over, Cassella and Heard each smashed RBI singles to center to make it 4-4.
Then, in the sixth, the Ducks took hold of the game for good. Mason Neville crushed a leadoff double and freshman Ryan Cooney followed with a go-ahead RBI double. Garate and Smith then delivered back-to-back run-scoring singles to give the game its final score.
The Ducks will look to close out tournament play in winning fashion on Sunday when they face No. 18 Texas Tech at Globe Life Field. First pitch is set for 12:30 p.m. PT.
