No. 11 Oregon took the first game against Washington State, winning 5-3. With the win, Oregon is 35-11,17-5 in the Pac-12.
Tommy Thorpe took the mound for Oregon, going six-and-a-third innings while giving up seven hits and three runs, two earned. Darrell Hunter came in in the seventh as relief, throwing the rest of the inning. Garrett Cleavinger pitched the eighth, striking out all three batters faced and picking up the win. Jimmie Sherfy closed out the ninth. The three relievers combined to pitch a hitless two-and-two-thirds innings.
Mitchell Tolman again led the Ducks, getting them on board with an RBI bunt single in the first and then a two-RBI single in the third. Tolman finished with three RBI, giving him 12 in the past three games and a great shot at winning Pac-12 Player of the Week honors.
Brett Thomas hit 4-5, scoring twice. Aaron Payne also had a productive game, going 2-3 with three runs scored.
Turning Point. The game was tied in the top of the ninth as Ryon Healy walked to the plate. Healy shot one past the short stop, allowing Thomas to score. Tolman came up next and was walked to load the bases. Then Scott Heineman drove in Payne to give the Ducks a two-run lead.
On the Horizon. Oregon and Washington State play the second of three games Saturday at 2 p.m. Cole Irvin will get the start for the Ducks.