The Washington Huskies had a golden opportunity to upset their arch-rivals, the No. 13 Oregon Ducks, on Friday night, but let it slip away in the eighth inning in a 6-4 loss.
On a night where coach Eddie Smith's team got a strong outing from starter Jackson Thomas, who went 6 innings and allowed 2 runs (none earned) on 2 hits with a walk and 3 strikeouts, the bullpen couldn't hold the lead, allowing four runs in the eighth inning.
The Huskies carried a 4-2 lead into the frame before catcher Burk-lee Mabeus launched a three-run home run to give the Ducks the lead, and designated hitter Naulivou Lauaki Jr. capped off a 3-for-4 day with a solo shot right after. Tommy Brandenberg took the loss for Washington after he was able to make it through just 2/3 of an inning, letting up 4 runs on 3 hits with a walk in the process.
The Huskies got off to a hot start offensively, with third baseman Blake Wilson ripping a double into the left-center gap with the bases loaded to give UW a 3-1 lead, before shortstop Sam DeCarlo drew a bases-loaded walk in the second inning to extend Washington's advantage.
After starter Will Sanford made it through just 3 1/3 innings, allowing 4 runs on 3 hits with 5 walks and 5 strikeouts along the way, Gabe Howard earned the win after working a scoreless seventh inning while surrendering a hit. Tanner Bradley went the last two frames to pick up his first save of the year with a walk and 2 strikeouts.
With the loss, the Huskies dropped to 20-25 on the year and 9-13 in Big Ten play. The two teams will return to Husky Ballpark on Saturday night at 7:00 p.m. PT.
This article originally appeared on Huskies Wire: Washington Huskies doomed by late homers in 6-4 loss to No. 13 Oregon
