Jacob Walsh powers Oregon past California to take weekend series
Oregon first baseman Jacob Walsh can be the most dangerous hitter in the Pac-12 when he’s staying on pitches and driving them to the opposite field.
Walsh managed to drive three balls into left-center with two of them flying over the wall as he led Oregon to a 10-3 win over California Sunday afternoon at PK Park.
With the win, the Ducks improve to 13-6 overall and 4-2 in conference action. They have taken the first two series in Pac-12 play. California dropped to 12-5 overall and the Bears are also 4-2 in league action.
Walsh’s first big fly came in the first inning, which gave the Ducks an early 3-0 advantage. Oregon increased its 3-1 lead in the fourth on a run-scoring single from Anson Aroz and a two-run double from Justin Cassella.
As it turns out, that was enough for Duck starting pitcher Kevin Seitter, who went five innings, giving up one run on four hits and striking out six. Reliever Bradley Mullen threw a scoreless sixth, but Michael Fruend gave up two in the seventh.
Up 6-3, the Ducks added four runs in the eighth thanks to a trio of home runs from Walsh, Aroz and Ryan Cooney. Logan Mercado threw a scoreless eighth and ninth to earn the save.
The Ducks will stay home this week and host Arizona next weekend. The Wildcats are 7-10 overall and just 2-3 in conference play. They have one more game against ASU Sunday afternoon.
