04/01/2021:. New Mexico State @ Oregon
Kenyon Yovan and Gabe Matthews each drove in a pair and four pitchers combined for a shutout as No. 20 Oregon baseball defeated New Mexico State, 5-0, Thursday afternoon at PK Park.
Yovan hit a two-run double and came home on a sacrifice fly by Matthews to give Oregon (13-6) a 3-0 lead after three.
Tanner Smith went 2 for 3 with a pair of doubles and drove in a run to make it 4-0 after four.
Matthews added a solo home run in the bottom of the eighth.
Isaac Ayon walked three and struck out three over two innings. RJ Gordon (2-0) allowed two hits and two walks and struck out two over three innings and was credited with the win for UO.
Nico Tellache allowed one hit and stuck out four over three innings and Rio Britton walked one and struck out one in the ninth to complete the shutout.
New Mexico State (10-11) stranded 10 on base, including two in the second, fourth and fifth.
The teams meet again at 4 p.m. Friday and Robert Ahlstrom will toe the rubber for UO.
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Trio of freshman lead No. 20 Oregon baseball over New Mexico State
Matthews’ descent in the order was a savvy move from head coach Mark Wasikowksi, as the sixth spot in the order will likely see more fastballs while also producing run-scoring opportunities. Matthews quickly took advantage, connecting on a solo shot to deep right-center field in the seventh inning.
Despite the lone hit on the night, Matthews routinely drove the ball to the deepest parts of the ballpark, nearly missing a home run twice. This move could pay big dividends for the Ducks as Wasikowski now has the depth to tinker with his lineup.
Alongside Matthews’s two RBI’s, the usual suspects came in clutch again for the Ducks, with Yovan driving two runners home on an RBI double in the third and Tanner Smith driving in a run on his double in the fourth. Smith had a great day in the box, landing two hits, both doubles while drawing a walk to start the game.
After Thursday’s contest, Smith is now comfortably hitting over .300, giving Oregon three regulars in their starting lineup, hitting over .300.
The limited Duck faithful who caught Thursday’s game in-person got to see freshman Isaac Ayon make his first career start against the Aggies. The talented right-hander threw two scoreless innings, walking three, but striking out as many in the contest.
Ayon has devastating stuff, the type of pitches and frame that ooze potential. Ayon’s fastball consistently sat at 92-95 MPH, with a slider that dropped off the table. Ayon struggled with fastball command at points, something that is necessary for his development and effectiveness. If Ayon controls his fastball, his offspeed offerings will be that much more effective, giving the hitter plenty to think about.
After Ayon came another freshman, RJ Gordon. Gordon, the southern California native, impressed once again for the Ducks, notching his second career win. Gordon threw three innings, allowed two hits, and struck out two batters in the process. Gordon has now pitched 7.2 innings this year, allowing just five hits, three walks, and has struck out 11 batters. Oregon’s bullpen depth will become a major factor later in the season.
Speaking of that depth, the lone non-freshman to throw tonight was Nico Tellache, who reminded us what proven consistency felt like, as the senior tossed three scoreless innings, allowing just one hit and striking out four.
Lastly, Rio Britton closed out the game, striking out one in his lone inning. Britton, another freshman, has been impressive all year long. The smooth, long lefty has effortless velocity and a hard biting slider that can cause issues to hitters on both sides of the plate.
The series continues tomorrow with another 4:05 PM start. Oregon sends LHP Robby Ahlstrom (1-2, 2.74 ERA) to the mound as New Mexico State counters with RHP Chris Jefferson (4-1, 2.56).
