Oregon Baseball: Ducks Sweep Gonzaga Setting the Stage for Pac 12 Showdown with Oregon State

Oregon went with a non starting rotation again on Wednesday night vs Gonzaga and J.J. Altobelli drove in two runs to help the Ducks to a 4-1 victory over the Bulldogs. Pitcher Cole Wiper picked up the win and Closer Jimmie Sherfy tied a record for saves in a season at 19, a record he set last year. The Ducks now come into perhaps the biggest series in the history of PK Park welcoming Oregon State for the Civil War this weekend. Standing room only tickets are still available.

Press Release from the University of Oregon:

Oregon vs Gonzaga

Rick Morgan/DuckNews.com

EUGENE, Ore. – J.J. Altobelli drove in two runs on a squeeze play to break a tie and lead No. 6 Oregon to a 4-1 win over Gonzaga on Wednesday night at PK Park.

Altobelli came to the plate with the game tied 1-1 and the bases loaded. The senior shortstop laid down the bunt scoring Tyler Baumgartner from third forcing Gonzaga relief pitcher Tyler Olson to throw to first to get Altobelli for the out. Ryan Hambright, who was on second, never slowed down rounding third and beat the throw home from first baseman Taylor Jones to give Oregon (42-11) a two-run lead. Brett Thomas picked up an RBI single later in the inning to push the lead to three.

Baumgartner started the inning for the Ducks ripping a triple to left-center field. Hambright walked and stole second on a Nick Catalano strike out. Gonzaga (32-18-1) intentionally walked pinch hitter Steven Packard to bring Altobelli to the plate with one out.

Cole Wiper (2-0) got the win throwing two scoreless innings in relief of starter Clayton Crum. Jimmie Sherfy picked up his 19th save, tying the school record he set last season, pitching a scoreless ninth inning.

The Zags got on the board first for the second straight day scoring a run in the top of the first off Crum, the only run he allowed in a season-high five innings of work. The junior right hander allowed just four hits, while striking out three.

Scott Heineman, who went 2-for-4 with an RBI, tied it at 1-1 in the fourth with a RBI single to right scoring Aaron Payne from second.

The Ducks return to action this weekend at PK Park when they host the Civil War battle with Oregon State in a three-game series. The Beavers enter the weekend in first place, one game ahead of Oregon. Game one on Friday is at 6 p.m., while game two is Saturday at 2 p.m. and the series finale is Sunday at Noon. Standing Room Only tickets are all that remain for the three games.

Oregon Ducks This Week:

For more on the Ducks follow AutzenZoo on Facebook and Twitter.