UO sb
Oregon’s softball team beat visiting Portland State 5-2 Tuesday, Jane Sanders Field, Eugene. The Ducks (5-10, 26-13) are scheduled to host Washington beginning Friday, Pac-12 Networks.
Ducks Tie Home Run Record in Win at Portland
UO release – PORTLAND, Ore. – Oregon tied its single-season home run record on Tuesday night and the two-run bomb turned out to be the difference in a 5-4 win over Portland. Anthony Hall hit the record-tying blast, home run No. 56 on the season for the Ducks, in the fifth inning to give Oregon a five-run lead. Portland battled back to make it a one-run game before Kolby Somers slammed the door in the eighth and ninth innings to secure the victory. How it happened: The Ducks jumped on the board first when Jacob Walsh laced a single through the right side of the infield to score Drew Cowley in the first inning. Oregon added on in the second when Hall doubled before scoring on a passed ball. After a walk and hit-by-pitch, Tanner Smith singled home Colby Shade later in the frame to put UO up 3-0. In the fifth inning, Hall’s two-run home run extended Oregon’s lead to five and the Ducks needed both runs when the Pilots rallied back into the game in the seventh inning. The Pilots opened the seventh inning with a single, advancing to second on an error before a strikeout. Gavin Grant appeared to get the Ducks an inning-ending double play, diving to grab a flare in center before doubling off the runner at second, but the umpire ruled that the ball hit the ground and the inning continued. Portland took advantage, scoring runs on a double, groundout and error to make it a 5-3 ballgame. The Pilots added another in the eighth, getting back-to-back extra-base hits to make it 5-4. Oregon turned to Somers with a runner on second and two outs. He induced a groundout to close the eighth before tossing a scoreless ninth to lock down his seventh save of the season. Inside the Box Score: The Ducks knocked off the Pilots for the third straight time and moved to 29-11 all-time at Portland … Cowley started the game, his first start since March 11 at Stanford … Scott Ellis’ scoreless outing was the seventh of the season and 12th of his career … Hall’s fifth-inning home run also tied him with Smith for the team lead (9) … Rio Britton’s three strikeouts gave him 25 on the season. Up Next: Oregon returns to PK Park to take on Washington State. First pitch of Friday’s game is set for 6:05 p.m.