EUGENE, Ore. – The Leopards fell 17-3 to Oregon in the first game of a four-game series at P. K. Park.

Lafayette struck first, just two batters into the game, when senior Blaze Fadio blasted a 2-2 pitch from Oregon's starter R.J. Gordon over the fence in left field, to give the Leopards a 1-0 lead.

The Ducks responded with three runs of their own in the bottom of the first, scoring on an RBI-double, an RBI-single and a sacrifice fly, to make the score 3-1.

Oregon continued to produce runs, scoring a run in the second, two runs in the third, three runs in the fourth, three in the fifth and another run in the sixth, to take a 13-1 lead.

The Leopards had opportunities to score in the fourth and the fifth, as they loaded the bases in the fourth and got two runners on base in the fifth, but were unable to push a runner across the plate.

Lafayette did get back into the scoring column in the top of the seventh.  Junior Easton Brenner doubled to left field and was followed by Fadio, who recorded his second hit of the game, a double to left center, which scored Brenner.

Oregon extended its lead in the bottom of the seventh, scoring two more runs.

In the top of the eighth, Lafayette junior Ben Petrone walked and sophomore Ethan Swidler doubled to right field, putting two runners on base for senior Justin Grech. Grech hit an RBI-groundout, driving in Petrone and making the score 15-3.

The Ducks scored two more runs in the bottom of the frame, bringing the final tally to 17-3.

Gordon collected the win for the Ducks, while sophomore James Reese took the loss.

The Leopards continue their series with Oregon on Saturday, with a doubleheader starting at 3 p.m.