The Oregon Ducks opened the Super Regional with an 11-3 defeat at the hands of the Texas Longhorns, a result that hands Texas a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series and a spot in the College World Series on the line.
Series Outlook
A lead-off single from Jax Gimenez gave the Ducks a spark, but Texas answered quickly as shortstop Adrian Rodriguez doubled to drive in two runs. The early onslaught continued when third baseman Casey Borba launched a solo home run, extending the Longhorns’ advantage.
Starter Dylan Volantis struggled to command the strike zone, and reliever Angel Laya could not stem the tide as the Ducks left 13 runners on base, highlighting their situational hitting woes.
Oregon finally got on the board in the eighth when Drew Smith took advantage of a pitching change, sending a solo home run over the fence. Ethan Mendoza later added a two-run blast to make it 10-2 heading into the seventh, but the rally fell short.
The series now shifts to Austin, where the Ducks will meet the Longhorns again on Sunday, June 7, in a potential elimination game at UFCU Disch-Falk Field. Coach Mark Wasikowski and the Oregon roster, featuring Naulivou Lauaki Jr., Cal Scolari, Dylan Volantis, Angel Laya, Ryan Cooney, Aiden Robbins, Anthony Pack Jr., Adrian Rodriguez, Casey Borba, Mark Wasikowski, Jonah Barkoff, Temo Becerra, Leo Uelman, Thomas Burns, Luke Harrison, Collin Clarke, Ethan Mendoza, Brody Wells, Gabe Miranda, Elijah Cook, Jack Brooks, Michael Meckna, and several others, will look to rally.