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Sports

‘Definitely not the plan;’ How a missed sign led to Oregon’s walk-off win

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After squandering another early lead in a series finale, the momentum at the plate plateaued down the stretch for the Oregon Ducks on Saturday.

The Ducks had just three hits in extra innings, two of which came as the Ducks played small ball to rally and conquer USC for a 6-5 walk-off win. The hero? Oregon catcher Burke-Lee Mabeus, who put down a bunt after 14 innings in the squat.

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As the Oregon dugout emptied and chased Mabeus to the center field wall, there was a palpable feeling of shock and awe. What just happened?

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Assistant coach Jack Marder served as head coach for the Ducks on Saturday with Mark Wasikowski out of town for his daughter’s graduation. According to Marder, the play that sealed the crucial series win for the Ducks never should’ve happened at all.

“That was definitely not the plan,” Marder said after the game with a smile. “But, Burke’s a really good bunter. He’s proven that in his work. It’s a left-on-left matchup. Matson had been dominating us, and it’s a really tough angle for him. I actually thought Burke was going to find a way to do it, no matter what.”

Freshman first baseman Brayden Jaksa reached base on an infield single to shortstop and stole second base. After moving over to third base on a groundout, the Ducks had the winning run just 90 feet away with two outs.

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Bunting with two outs is always a risky play, and the roll has to be perfect. Oregon initially wanted Mabeus to show a bunt to draw the infield in and give Mabeus a chance to swing away.

“Worst case, if he shows (bunt) and it’s a ball, it puts a little bit of stress on them on the defensive side,” Marder said. “It opens up a hole where Burke’s flat and he can hit a ball to that backside, like he showed earlier in the game. I was good with all that.”

Mabeus squared to the pitch and laid the bunt down perfectly up the third base line. Jaksa crossed the plate, and USC pitcher Sax Matson couldn’t field the ball and make the throw cleanly from an awkward angle. After the chaos dispersed, Mabeus was told one key detail that he had missed.

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“Absolutely disappointing” – Aryna Sabalenka called out by fans after doubling down on Wimbledon opponent criticism

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Aryna Sabalenka has responded strongly to comments made by her first-round opponent Teodora Kostovic at the 2026 Wimbledon Championships, with the Belarusian also coming under criticism from some fans for her own reaction to the situation. The World No. 1 spoke after her win over McCartney Kessler secured her place in the third round.

Before their opening-round clash on Monday, Kostovic had expressed confidence ahead of the match, saying she wanted to “see if Sabalenka can deal with my power” and backing herself to cause an upset. However, the Belarusian proved too strong on the day, winning 6-2, 6-3.

Following the match, Aryna Sabalenka was asked again in her post-match press conference about Kostovic’s pre-match remarks and gave a firm response:

“I think it was more like she was trying to trick herself and she was just trying to boost that self belief that she actually didn’t have. Sometimes you have to really fake it til you make it. Sometimes you have to stay grounded and be real and work with what you have.”

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“So for me that message was a bit.. I would understand if it would be reasonable. But like I went in the match and was like… ‘Which power was she talking about?’ Sometimes it works if you actually have that self belief. If you’re just trying to fake it and you don’t actually believe in it, it’s not gonna work,” she added.

Fans were quick to take to X (formerly Twitter) to criticize Aryna Sabalenka, with one user writing:

“She is World no 1. She should be empowering female players and giving them confidence and instead – she is making fun of them calling them fake. What a shame. Worst No. 1.”

“Damn!!!! 💔💔 this’s so bad from her.. a leader, a number 1; you should be motivating the rising stars, the young players not spitting venomous savage on them, this’s absolutely disappointing message from a supposed-to-be professional idol,” another wrote.

“Oh Aryna give us a breakkkk woman you won you’re World No. 1. RELAX, ….SHE’S 18. Literally let the kid be … it’s not that deep,” one account posted.

“Narcissistic Projection right here,” another added.

“Rybakina has to be a new number one. She would never say such stupid and arrogant to other tennis players,” one fan commented.

Aryna Sabalenka set to face off against Jelena Ostapenko in Wimbledon 2026 3R

Aryna Sabalenka pictured at Wimbledon 2026 | Image Source: GettyAryna Sabalenka pictured at Wimbledon 2026 | Image Source: Getty
Aryna Sabalenka pictured at Wimbledon 2026 | Image Source: Getty

Aryna Sabalenka has advanced to the third round of the 2026 Wimbledon Championships after defeating Teodora Kostovic and McCartney Kessler 6-1, 7-6(9). She is now set to face Jelena Ostapenko in the next round, with the Latvian coming in off solid wins over Harriet Dart and Antonia Ruzic.

If Sabalenka gets past Ostapenko, she could face Naomi Osaka in the fourth round, followed by a potential quarterfinal clash with Karolina Muchova. Jessica Pegula may await her in the semifinals, while Elena Rybakina or defending champion Iga Swiatek could emerge as possible final opponents.