EUGENE, Ore. — In an eventful matchup at the Eugene Regional on Saturday, Casey Murray Jr. played a pivotal role by delivering four hits and driving in three runs, propelling Cal Poly to a 10-8 victory over top-seeded Oregon. This victory allowed the Mustangs to remain in contention.
The game witnessed some dramatic moments, especially in the seventh inning. Oregon initially took a lead with solo home runs by Drew Smith and Jeffery Heard, positioning themselves with an 8-5 advantage. However, Cal Poly quickly countered in the bottom half. Alejandro Garza’s bases-loaded walk narrowed Oregon’s lead before Murray leveled the score with a crucial two-run single. A subsequent single by Cam Hoiland shifted the advantage to Cal Poly, making it 9-8.
Adding to their triumph, Zach Daudet launched a home run in the eighth inning, further solidifying Cal Poly’s lead.
Moving forward, Cal Poly, holding a record of 42-18, is set to face the loser from the semifinal matchup between Arizona, the No. 2 seed, and Utah Valley, the No. 4 seed, on Sunday. Meanwhile, Oregon, with a 42-16 record for the season, faced elimination after losing two consecutive games while hosting the regional.
In a tense moment during the eighth inning, Oregon’s potential tying run was thwarted by an impressive throw to third from right fielder Dylan Kordic, ending their opportunity to level the game. The Ducks were unable to mount a comeback in the ninth inning, succumbing in order with three consecutive strikeouts courtesy of pitcher Jaccob Torres, who recorded a win with 2 1/3 innings pitched.
For Oregon, Dominic Hellman showcased his skill with three hits and three RBIs, while Jeffery Heard also contributed with three hits and two RBIs. Drew Smith made a remarkable impact throughout the regional, hitting a total of three home runs.
On the pitching side, Oregon’s Ian Umlandt suffered the loss, allowing three crucial runs in the pivotal seventh inning for Cal Poly.