Oregon baseball vs. UCLA game 2; live updates, scores, analysis

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After a dreadful start to the biggest series of the season, the No. 13 Oregon Ducks (35-13, 17-8 Big Ten) will attempt to get up off the mat and punch back against the No. 1 UCLA Bruins (45-4, 25-0 Big Ten) on Saturday night in Los Angeles at Jackie Robinson Stadium.

The Ducks managed just three hits and one run against the Bruins in Friday's opener, as right-hander Will Sanford struggled to finish innings and UCLA run-ruled the Ducks, 11-1, in seven innings. UCLA's Wylan Moss, making just his third start of the season, went the distance and struck out nine Ducks along the way.

Oregon had trouble keeping the Bruins off the bases, but they didn't force any action themselves either. UCLA took a 6-0 lead in the third inning before Drew Smith hit a long sacrifice fly to push across Oregon's lone run on the night.

Mark Wasikowski also shook up the lineup, which is still without Jax Gimenez. He sought more power in the lineup, moving Ryan Cooney back to the leadoff spot and inserting Dominic Hellman, who has played sparingly over the past month, back into the lineup batting fifth and playing first base. Jack Brooks also flipped back down to the nine-hole after leading off in recent games.

It didn't work, however, as the Ducks had just one extra-base hit (a double by Burke-Lee Mabeus) and drew just two walks.

The Ducks will hope for a better outing on Saturday from right-hander Collin Clarke (5-3, 4.21 ERA), who has given the Ducks length in several starts this season. It's been a struggle lately, however, as Clarke has allowed 17 runs in his last four starts. He made it through four innings last weekend at Washington, allowing three runs and striking out three.

UCLA will send senior right-hander Michael Barnett (6-0, 3.44 ERA) to the mound to try to clinch the series. Oregon would be wise to be patient in the box tonight, as Barnett has struggled with walks recently, and he does pitch to contact. In his last outing against Michigan State, Barnett walked four and allowed two runs while registering just one strikeout.

Follow along with live inning-by-inning updates as the Ducks aim to even the weekend series against the Bruins. The game will air live on Big Ten Network with the first pitch scheduled for 6:30 p.m. PST.

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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Oregon baseball vs. UCLA game 2; live updates, scores, analysis

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