Oregon Ducks split doubleheader

The Oregon Ducks dropped their first game of the season against the Hawaii Warriors, but Jimmie Sherfy’s right hand evened up the series in a narrow 3-2 victory that took 12 innings.

Sherfy was nasty and fanned 13 batters in 5 and 2/3 innings as a reliever, and he struck out six consecutive hitters at one point in the contest. He ended the game in dramatic fashion after stranding the basis loaded by punching out Hawaii outfielder Kaeo Aliviado. Sherfy allowed just two hits, but he did walk four batters, hit another, and threw a wild pitch. He is going to be a big part of this team going forward and is no longer the frosh who allowed five earned runs in 1.3 innings.

The Oregon Ducks took their 3-2 lead when second baseman Aaron Payne knocked a double into the gap in left-center and subsequently stole third base. He then moved up on Patrick O’Rourke’s wild pitch, who was charged with the loss and allowed two hits, one run, and struck out one batter in two innings. Payne had a huge game, as the sophomore went 4-5 with three assists and was the main reason why the Ducks were able to eke out the victory.

Jake Reed, no relation to the former Minnesota Vikings wide receiver of the same name, took the mound for the Oregon Ducks and started the game, giving the team six quality innings of two-run ball (only one run was earned). Reed allowed five hits and three walks, and he also struck out four batters with eight groundball outs in total.

The Warriors received a patient game from their second baseman, as Stephen Ventimilia drew three walks and added four assists on defense, despite not getting a hit in any of his six plate appearances. Third baseman Collin Bennett was the only player on the Warriors with an RBI, and he was one of just two players with multiple hits.

The Oregon Ducks also had just one player with an RBI, and he has multiple steaks in this victory. Catcher Brett Hambright made up for his brother’s pinch-hit strikeout by driving in two runs and notching a double on his lone hit.

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