Eugene, Ore--It was a solid seven and 1/3 innings pitched by freshman Jake Reed, and a late push by the Oregon offense that propelled the No. 24 Ducks past visiting Utah, 5-3, on Saturday afternoon at PK Park.

In the second game of a three-game series with the Utes (6-15, 2-3), Oregon (15-5, 3-2) manufactured a comeback and three-run inning in the eighth, turning a pitching duel into a slug fest, and clicnhing the series win.

As Oregon trailed 3-2 entering the bottom of the eighth, Kyle Garlick started the comeback with a single, and scored from first to tie the game when designated hitter Brett Thomas roped a double into left field. Sitting at second, Thomas was able to score on Scott Heineman’s single to right to give UO a one-run cushion. After stealing second and moving to third on a wild pitch, Heineman scored Oregon’s final run courtesy of a Connor Hofmann sacrifice fly.

Utah reliever Tyler Wagner (1-4) was tagged with the loss after allowing three runs on five hits and two walks in three innings of relief. Right-hander Brock Duke allowed two runs on three hits and three walks in five innings in the start for the Utes.

In his fifth quality start of the season, Reed allowed only three runs on four hits and three walks. After surrendering a run in the first, the La Mesa, Calif., retired 11 consecutive batters into the fifth.

It wasn’t again until the sixth inning where the Utes sent up more than the minimum three batters required. Utah then touched Reed for two runs, one coming in the top of the sixth inning, and the next coming in the top of the eighth as Utah took a 3-2 lead on Shaun Cooper’s one-run single that scored James Brooks, giving Utah a short-lived advantage.

Joey Housey (2-0) picked up the win for Oregon, tossing just 2/3 of an inning, and holding Utah without a run on one hit.

Jimmie Sherfy earned his fourth save of the season, striking out the first two batters he faced in the ninth, and retiring Tyler Relf to center field.

Heineman led Oregon with a 3-for-3 effort at the plate, while Parker Morin had a 2-for-4 afternoon for Utah, driving in two runs.

The Ducks look for a sweep of the Utes in the final game of the series, Sunday at PK Park with first pitch scheduled for noon.

Notes: Oregon is now 4-0 in games that are tied after seven innings, and 9-2 in games decided by two runs or less.