Late game heroics were unnecessary in the second game of Oregon’s opening series, as the Ducks doubled up on Hawaii with a score of 10-5.
The Ducks capitalized early on miscues, scoring three runs in the first two innings, with two of them being unearned runs as the result of errors by Hawaii shortstop Austin Wobrock.
Each team plated a pair of runs to make the score 5-2 before Hawaii tied it up with a three-run fifth inning. The Warriors had runners on first and second with one out when coach George Horton lifted reliever Stephen Nogosek for Darrell Hunter.
The first batter Hunter faced reached on an error to load the bases. Hunter walked to force in a run and the next batter, Marcus Doi, singled home two runs through the left side.
The game remained tied at 5-5 until the seventh inning, when Oregon broke the game open. Tyler Baumgartner and Mitchell Tolman were on second and third with one out when freshman A.J. Balta, pinch-hitting for Nick Catalano, drove them in with a single to left-center field. Balta promptly stole second and scored when fellow freshman Austin Grebeck singled to left field.
The Ducks added two insurance runs in the ninth inning, including their fourth unearned run of the game and sixth in two games.
The bats came alive for Oregon on Saturday after managing just three hits in the season opener. Baumgartner led the way, going 3-for-5 with a double and two runs scored. Tolman, Grebeck, Kyle Garlick and Josh Graham each added a pair of hits for the Ducks. Oregon was also active in the running game, as Payne, Tolman, Garlick and Balta each stole a base. It was Payne’s second steal in as many nights.
Jordan Spencer lasted just 3 and 1/3 innings for Oregon, allowing two runs on five hits and three walks. He struck out three and threw a total of 82 pitches.
Picking up the win was Darrell Hunter, who pitched 3 and 1/3 innings of relief, giving up one run (zero earned) and striking out four. Gordon Cardenas allowed four runs in three innings of relief for Hawaii and took the loss. Porter Clayton recorded the final four outs for Oregon to notch his first save of the season.
Oregon and Hawaii will square off for the third game of the series on Sunday at 3:05 p.m. PST. Freshman Matt Krook is slated to make his Oregon debut and will be opposite Hawaii’s Scott Squier.
Follow Chris Mosch on Twitter @chris_mosch