Bye-bye, Beavers: Oregon advances to Super Regionals thanks to Oregon State implosion

When the Eugene Regional was announced, Oregon residents were treated to the potential of a clash between the hosting Oregon Ducks and the Oregon State Beavers. When the Beavers lost to Washington State while Oregon beat Yale, it only denied the inevitable showdown. After the Beavers made their run through the loser's bracket, and Oregon handled business in the winner's bracket, the two finally took the in-state rivalry to the Eugene Regional final.

The showdown proved to be a pitchers' duel with Miles Gosztola taking the mound for the Ducks, and Wyatt Queen starting on the other side. Oregon State managed to get 4.2 innings pitched out of Queen who allowed just 1 run in the 3rd inning when Drew Smith came up with a clutch RBI single for the Ducks.

Oregon State opened the scoring in the 2nd inning against Gosztola, but he proved to be built for the long haul. The Ducks' righty was stellar, giving Oregon 6 innings pitched, allowing just 1 run on 5 hits and 3 walks while striking out 8, allowing Mark Wasikowski to wait on deploying the best in his bullpen.

The game entered its pivotal moment in the top of the 7th inning when the Ducks loaded the bases with just 1 out for Jack Brooks. Realizing how big the moment was, Oregon State went to the bullpen for their closer Albert Roblez.

PK Park was electric for the at-bat, and Jack Brooks did an excellent job not giving Roblez any help, taking a walk to give the Ducks a 2-1 lead. Ryan Cooney could've been just as antsy to pick up his first hit of the day, but he followed suit working a 7 pitch walk. After the pair of walks, Angel Laya managed to put a ball in play, and the Beavers couldn't double him up allowing Oregon to take a 4-1 lead.

Luke Morgan was first out of the bullpen for Mark Wasikowski, and he delivered a dazzling 7th inning, striking out three to keep the 3-run lead intact. Tanner Bradley took the mound in the 8th inning and struck out a pair, putting another 0 on the board. The Ducks' bullpen got the ball to Devin Bell with the 3 run lead, and the closer slammed the door sending Oregon to the Super Regionals.

The game was decided in the 7th inning when Oregon State walked a pair to help load the bases before walking in two runs for 4 walks in an inning. On a night where the offense didn't have its best showing against solid pitching, the Beavers gave the Ducks all the help a team could ask for.

The path forward was on full display for the Ducks this weekend, even as the offense didn't have the output we've seen most weekends. The starting pitching was incredible as the trio of Scolari, Sanford, and Gosztola turned in a combined 16.1 innings with just 1 earned run allowed while striking out 27. If the starters are going to continue giving the Ducks length while limiting the damage, it's going to be almost impossible to eliminate this group.

The Ducks now get to pack their bags for Super Regionals as they'll face the Texas Longhorns in the Austin Regional. Texas, like the Ducks, looked dominant in their regional, and they'll be a serious challenge with all the talent they have.

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