EUGENE, Ore. – Oregon got solid pitching performances from Cole Stringer and Kenyon Yovan to get a 3-2 win over Arizona State, clinching the conference series on Sunday at PK Park.
How It Happened: Stringer (4-1) earned the win in his first start back in the weekend rotation since March 19 at California. He pitched 5.2 innings with three strikeouts and no walks while allowing one earned run on three hits. Stringer retired 13 straight batters after giving up a run in the second before being lifted after surrendering a two-out single in the sixth. After Cooper Stiles pitched 0.1 inning, Yovan picked up his 13th save with three scoreless innings of relief, striking out two.
Jake Bennett put Oregon (25-14, 8-10 Pac-12) in front for good in the fourth inning with a two-out, two-run double down the left field line scoring Morgan McCullough and Kyle Kasser.
Hunter Bishop hit a leadoff home run to center field off Stiles in the seventh inning to cut the Oregon lead to 3-2 and bring Yovan out of the bullpen.
Carter Aldrete gave the Sun Devils (19-22, 6-12 Pac-12) the lead in the second inning with a sacrifice fly scoring Taylor Lane who doubled off the wall in left.
Matthew Dyer tied the game at one in the third inning with a run-scoring double driving in Bennett who reached with a single.
Box Score Notes: Bennett led the way offensively, going 2-for-5 with two RBI, a double and a run scored … Dyer turned in a 2-for-5 day of his own with a double and an RBI … Ryne Nelson recorded his first career multi-hit game, finishing 2-for-4 with his first career double … Gabe Matthews went 1-for-2 with a career-high three walks … The Ducks again missed some opportunities offensively, leaving 14 runners on base a day after stranding 13.
Record Book Watch: Yovan is tied with Jake Reed (2012-14) and Garrett Cleavinger (2013-15) for third all-time on Oregon’s career saves list with 13 … He is also tied with Reed (2014) for fourth most saves in a season … Yovan’s 14 games finished moves him into a tie for the ninth most in a season in program history with Scott McGough (2011) … Stiles’ 67 career appearances ties him for sixth most in Oregon history with Tommy Thorpe (2012-14).
On Deck: The Ducks play in Corvallis on Tuesday in a non-conference game against Oregon State at 5:30 p.m. before opening a weekend series at Washington State on Friday.
