It took extra innings to decide the mid-week Civil War baseball game, and it was decided on a 12th inning Jeff Hendrix sac fly off Jordan Spencer, Oregon’s seventh pitcher of the night. The Beavers won 4-3.
Both teams had opportunities to score before extra play began, but timely pitching and defense kept the score deadlocked at 3 for seven innings.
In the eighth, Shaun Chase hit a one-out double to right and was replaced by Desmond Santos. Pinch hitter Josh Graham singled to left and Santos headed home, where he was called out. Left fielder Michael Conforto made a perfect throw to Logan Ice, and Santos was iced, keeping the score tied.
“Conforto can beat you in a lot of different ways,” Oregon coach George Horton said. “He’s got a real strong, accurate throwing arm and he does a lot of things when it matters the most. He’s a great player.”
The Beavers had a chance to take the lead in the 11th. With the bases loaded and one out, pinch hitter Nick Rulli hit a hard ground ball that was scooped up by Santos at short, and he began a 6-4-3 double play to retire the side.
Relief pitcher Jordan Spencer gave up a single, walk and hit a batter in the 12th to load the bases for Hendrix, who drove in the eventual game-winning run.
The Ducks had one last chance to extend the game in the bottom of the 12th, as Aaron Payne was at third with two outs. Kyle Garlick grounded out to end the game, and Oregon’s 16-game home winning streak.
“It weas an endurance contest for sure,” Horton said. “A lot of sloppiness on both sides, a lot of free bases and ultimately it came down to a walk, a hit batter and a sac fly. We had some shots … very disappointing loss for us.”
In total, 13 pitchers and 25 position players were used in the game, which included seven runs, 22 hits and four errors as well as 26 runners left on base.
“I feel like we had opportunities and didn’t capitalize on them,” third baseman Mitchell Tolman said. Tolman went 2-for-6 in the game.
Stephen Nogosek made his fist start on the mound this season after making 13 relief appearances. After a long first inning in which Nogosek threw nearly 40 pitches, the right-hander settled down and was in command for the next two innings.
His outing would be a short one, though, as he was pulled after three innings of work, in which he gave up one run on five hits with no walks and six strikeouts.
Oregon State’s starting pitcher was Dylan Davis, who made his third start of the year. Davis pitched two innings and stayed int the game as the designated hitter, going 1-for-4 at the plate.
Oregon State struck first in the opening inning. Hendrix led off with a double and was quickly brought home by Andy Peterson.
Oregon answered in the second when Chase scored on a wild pitch with the bases loaded.
In the third, Garlick scored Payne with a sacrifice fly.
The Beavers re-took the lead in the fourth off Cooper Stiles when Hendrix doubled home Trever Morrison and Caleb Hamilton. Hendrix finished 2-for-7 with 3 RBI.
Oregon tied the score in the bottom of the inning on a Beaver mistake. Austin Grebeck scored on what should have been a routine ground out. Peterson corralled a Payne ground ball, made the throw to first which was dropped by first baseman Gabe Clark.
Chase continued his hot hitting with a 2-for-3 night that included a single, double and a walk.
Shortstop Kevin Minjares, starting in place of injured Mark Karaviotis, went 2-for-3 with two singles.
Conforto, who entered the game with a conference-leading .410 batting average, went 2-for-6.
Scott Shultz (6-2) picked up the win after tossing 4.1 inning of relief. Jordan Spencer (1-1) got the loss.
Oregon plays Portland Wednesday before heading to Tucson, where they’ll play three games against Arizona State.
Noteworthy:
Starting shortstop Mark Karaviotis should be ready to play Friday, according to Horton. Karaviotis has missed the last two games with a hamstring injury.
Follow Madison Guernsey on Twitter @guernseymd