Heading into the NCAA Tournament, it had been a fabulous season for the Oregon Ducks. They won a share of the Big Ten regular season title and were picked to host in Eugene as the No. 12 national seed.
However, the Eugene regional at their home ballpark, P.K. Park, did not go as planned.
On Friday, the Ducks failed to fully come back against the Utah Valley Wolverines and lost 6-5, giving Utah Valley its first ever win in the NCAA tournament. The result was rather frustrating, considering Oregon had 10 hits compared to Utah Valley having only five.
A controversial call also came in that game when Oregon’s Anson Aroz slid into Utah Valley catcher Mason Strong, which caused a huge collision. Despite Aroz being called safe, the play went under review.
It was ruled that Aroz was guilty of malicious contact and, therefore ejected from the game. The run that initially counted was taken off the scoreboard would have cut the Wolverines’ lead to just one. This proved vital in a game that ended up being decided by one run.
The loss then meant the Oregon Ducks had to play the Cal Poly Mustangs on Saturday in an elimination game.
Cal Poly defeated Oregon 10-8. It was frustrating again for the Ducks as they out-hit Cal Poly 14 to 11.
It was an uncharacteristic start for the Ducks’ ace Grayson Grinsell. He gave up seven hits and six earned runs, all while striking out just two Cal Poly hitters.
This ended Oregon’s season perhaps earlier than expected as the Ducks go 0-2 at the regional they are hosting.
Up Next – The win by Cal Poly means they, for now, stay alive in the NCAA Tournament. The Mustangs will play the loser between Utah Valley and Arizona in another elimination game matchup.
Photo: Utah Valley’s Jimmy De Anda had an RBI double in the third inning of Utah Valley’s 6-5 over Oregon. (Photo Courtesy of Utah Valley Athletics)
