The wind was blowing straight in from right field, and it appeared in pre-game that it would be a real factor in the outcome of the Regional opener, between the Morrison Mustangs and the Oregon Hawks.
As it turns out, Oregon pitcher, Matt Murray retired 15 of the 27 batters faced by a ball caught in the air. He pitched a three-hitter and didn’t retire anyone with a strikeout, as the Mustangs were only able to collect three hits in the sixth inning to tie the score and eventually lose it in the seventh.
Sophomore Joey Brackemyer pitched the first six innings, allowing only four hits and striking out nine Hawks, but allowed six Hawks on base with the walk. Brackemyer left prior to the seventh, with a high pitch count and the game tied at two apiece.
The Morrison offense was held hitless until the sixth inning, when designated hitter Ryan VanZuiden singled to right field to start the offense. Andy Bird sacrificed VanZuiden to second, before Ben Tegeler singled him home for the Mustangs’ first run. Two hitters later, Justin Jenson singled home Tegeler to tie the score and send the game into the seventh inning tied at two apiece.
Senior Bill Lee Greul opened on the mound in the seventh and put the first two Hawks on via the base on balls. Sawyer Reynolds singled in what turned out to be the winning run with an RBI single. Tyler Blume followed with a single, and opposing pitcher Matt Murray flied high off the left field fence to plate two more runs. The Hawks needed only three outs to return home still alive in Regional play.
The Mustangs went down in order with three fly balls in the seventh. The play-in game ended with an Oregon win over the Mustangs, 5-2.