Oregon Forces Decisive Game With Three-Run 7th Inning
By Brian Spaen
Kent State got ahead early once again and pushed Oregon onto the brink of elimination. However, the Ducks were able to complete a three-run rally in the seventh inning to take the lead and win the game, 3-2, to force a decisive third game in Eugene.
The rally began when Ryon Healy got the fourth team hit of the night with one out. Alex Miklos had problems trying to get ahold of Brett Thomas‘ shot to left field. This gave Healy the opportunity to score the first run for the Ducks and Thomas was able to reach second base.
Kyle Garlick was walked, and then Ryan Hambright hit it to right field to score Thomas and knock out the Golden Flashes’ starter, Ryan Bores, from the game.
After only giving up three hits and striking out four in the first six innings, Bores finished with six hits and three earned runs when reliever Michael Clark threw the ball to high for first baseman George Roberts to tag out Brett Hambright. It was supposed to be a safety squeeze, but they got the job done getting Ryan Hambright to home and taking a 3-2 lead, their first lead in the series.
T.J. Sutton was able to be a leadoff double for Kent State in the ninth inning, but the next three batters were retired in order to secure the win for the Ducks.
The Golden Flashes had an opportunity to get more of a lead in the fourth inning, where Roberts doubled to bring in David Lyon. Runners were at the corners when George Horton talked to his starter. After two straight strikeouts, the bases were loaded. Derek Toadvine tried to pull one down the right line but Healy was there to snag it and get the groundout.
Confidence rose for Jake Reed, who would retire eight straight Golden Flashes before Toadvine came back to get a hit and knock Reed out of the game. Reed finished giving up five hits, two earned runs, and had six strikeouts.
There’s mixed sources giving information of when game three is going to be, thanks to multiple super regionals having weather issues. Originally scheduled at 4:00 p.m. PST, multiple times in tonight’s telecast the time of 1:00 p.m. PST was shown. That’s what the time shows on the official Oregon Ducks webpage, GoDucks.com, as well. Game is still set for ESPNU, and worst-case scenario the game can be seen in its entirety on ESPN3.
Other Notes
- Thomas stole a long hit from Jimmy Rider at the wall in the eighth inning. Reliever Tommy Thorpe struck out the next two Golden Flashes in the frame.
- Oregon was able to limit the amount of doubles Kent State had, only giving up two compared to last night’s five.
- Roberts brought in both runs for Kent State with a home run in the second inning and the aforementioned RBI double.
Brian Spaen is the lead editor for Autzen Zoo, follow the site on Facebook and Twitter. Read about his love for lacrosse at Around the Crease or get to know him more at The World of Santa Destroy.