Defensive miscues spoil Roseburg’s shot at a sweep at South Eugene
EUGENE — A sharp outing in the opener was spoiled by sloppy play in the nightcap as the Roseburg Indians settled for a split against the South Eugene Axe in a Southwest Conference doubleheader Saturday at South Eugene High School.
Jake Johnson allowed just three hits in a 3-0 complete-game victory to begin the day, but Roseburg committed six errors in a 10-6 loss to finish the day.
“Unfortunately, for us, in Game 2 we didn’t make enough plays and then didn’t get a hit with guys on base when we had an opportunity to, but credit South Eugene. They came out and played well there in the middle innings of Game 2 to get the win,” Roseburg coach Troy Thompson said.
Johnson started the game a bit shaky, allowing two walks and a hit batter in the first inning to load the bases. The junior worked out of the jam and only got stronger as the game continued.
He didn’t allow another walk the rest of the game and South Eugene was only able to get one runner in scoring position after the first frame. Johnson finished with seven strikeouts to earn his fourth win of the year.
Johnson also helped lead the Indians at the plate. He was 2-for-3 with one of three doubles for Roseburg (11-8, 7-4 SWC). Camden Hartsell was 1-for-3 with a pair of RBI. Dane St. Clair drove in the first run of the game for the Tribe.
Roseburg had a chance to complete the season sweep of South Eugene (9-9, 5-6) and extend its winning streak over the Axe to 10 games, dating back to 2019.
South Eugene jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the second inning on a bases-loaded, two-out double by Simon Warren. The senior was 3-for-3 in the nightcap, with a pair of two-baggers.
The Indians responded with four runs in the top of the third. Johnson and Brevin Harrison had back-to-back doubles to give Roseburg a 4-3 advantage.
The teams traded runs and Roseburg added a tally in the fifth to lead 6-4 before things went off the rails.
Roseburg committed a combined five errors in the fifth and sixth innings and South Eugene capitalized with five hits to plate six runs and put the game out of reach.
Harrison took the loss and was hit with all 10 runs, although only two were earned runs. He struck out five and hit one batter.
The loss sent Roseburg home with sour emotions, but the Indians claimed another series win against a conference opponent.
“When you win a series like we did here today, that’s a good thing,” Thompson said. “It takes something to go on the road and play a Saturday doubleheader and give yourself a chance to win two games. Getting the first one was good, unfortunately we left one out there in Game 2.”
Roseburg will play at Grants Pass for a single conference game on Tuesday at 4:30 p.m.
First Game
Roseburg;100;101;0;—;3;5;1
S. Eugene;000;000;0;—;0;3;3
Johnson and Burke; Bush and LeDoux. W — Johnson (4-3). L — Bush. 2B — Johnson (R), Harrison (R), Hartsell (R).
Second Game
Roseburg;004;110;0;—;6;9;6
S. Eugene;031;042;X;—;10;9;2
Harrison, St. Clair (6) and Burke; Santiago, Roadman (7) and LeDoux. W — Santiago. L — Harrison. Sv — Roadman. 2B — Johnson (R), Harrison (R), Lea 2 (SE), Santiago (SE), Warren 2 (SE).
