EUGENE, Ore. – Rutgers baseball dropped a tight 4-3 decision to No. 9 Oregon on Friday night at PK Park in Eugene.
The Scarlet Knights (9-13, 1-3) had an early lead and were tied with the Ducks (18-4, 6-1) late, but a walk-off sac fly in the bottom of the ninth decided the series opener.
With the game scoreless through two, the RU lineup plated a pair in the third to take an early lead. After a pair of singles to put runners on first and second, Peyton Bonds singled into center to make it 1-0. Ty Doucette following with an RBI double to push the advantage to 2-0.
In the bottom half, Oregon was able to cut the lead in half with a solo home run. The Ducks then took the lead in the sixth with a two-run single to make it 3-2.
Despite falling behind, the Scarlet Knights rallied to tie the game in the seventh. With the bases loaded and one out, JD Jones came home to score and tie the game at 3-3. Despite the traffic on the bases, a strikeout and popout ended the threat there.
RU loaded the bases again in the ninth on two hit-by-pitches and walk but stranded them loaded with another popout to end the frame.
In the bottom of the ninth, a fielder's choice and double put runners on second and third with one out. Oregon hit a sac fly just deep enough to left field to score the winning run in walk-off fashion.
Justin Shadek started and had a strong game for the Scarlet Knights. He tied his career high with five innings pitched, giving up just one run on a solo home run, four hits, one walk and two strikeouts.
Notes
- Trevor Cohen recorded his eighth multi-hit game of the season and his third multi-hit game in just four Big Ten contests.
- Yomar Carreras recorded his third multi-hit game of the season.
Career Highs
Game two between Rutgers and Oregon is set for 5 p.m. ET on Saturday.
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