Through its first two games, the Eugene Super Regional has been, well, super. In the first game on Friday night, Oregon came back from an 8-0 deficit to beat Oral Roberts, 9-8. It seemed like the Ducks would close the Golden Eagles out on Saturday, but Oral Roberts flipped the script.
While the Golden Eagles led 3-1 after two innings, Oregon assumed control of the game and carried a 7-4 lead into the bottom of the seventh inning. The Golden Eagles scratched back into it, scoring a run in both the bottom of the seventh and eighth innings, but still trailed 7-6 going into the last inning.
Oral Roberts then loaded the bases with one out in the ninth inning, giving Justin Quinn a chance to be the hero. A flyball to the outfield would have been enough to tie the game, but Quinn went one better, slashing a line drive into the left-field corner. Oregon left fielder Bryce Boettcher had no play on the ball. The only question was, would it stay fair?
It was close. Ultimately, though, the ball did stay fair. Jacob Godman and Blaze Brothers sprinted in for the tying and winning runs, respectively. The play was reviewed and ultimately upheld, giving the Golden Eagles a dramatic win of their own.
The incredible finish and the wild nature of both Friday and Saturday’s games caught the attention of college baseball fans.
Wild times in Oregon the past two nights. https://t.co/ybF4eb1mUH
— Jeff Patterson (@jeffpattOKC) June 11, 2023
It’s getting weird out in Eugene https://t.co/6A0RejIlxR
— Lorenzo Cortes
(@Hoyatexas) June 11, 2023
https://twitter.com/TEXANJASON/status/1667746245496954880
The Eugene Super Regional has had everything after two games. What a finish. https://t.co/0GctgmyC8O
— Gray Robertson (@gray_robertson) June 11, 2023
The Ducks and Golden Eagles will play the third and decisive game in the Eugene Super Regional on Sunday, June 11 at 6 p.m. ET.
The winner will head to Omaha for the College World Series.
[Photo Credit: ESPN+]