In the bottom of the eighth inning of No. 5 Oregon baseball’s (37-13, 18-8 Big Ten) 6-4 win against Washington (27-24, 15-11) on Saturday, May 10, rapper Lil Uzi Vert’s 2017 single, “Loaded”, played on the public-address speakers of PK Park.

On cue, Washington third baseman Blake Wilson retreated from his usual place in the hot corner to patrolling the outfield. The walk-up song, like some sort of warning, signaled Ducks centerfielder and the NCAA’s home run leader Mason Neville coming to the plate.

Wilson’s retreat to left field wasn’t the only adjustment by the Huskies, whose defensive sellout came in an effort to prevent Neville’s 26th home run of the season — and second solo shot of the day.

Shortstop Sam DeCarlo shifted to the second-base side of the infield with his heels on the outfield grass, while second baseman Trevor Kole backed up to play a shallow right field. The movement left only first baseman Casen Taggart on the infield turf, while right-hander Josh Emanuels toed the rubber of the pitchers mound.

In the words of Oregon head coach Mark Wasikowksi, it’s the Golden Spikes treatment.

“Mason Neville is one heck of a hitter, and I hope he wins the Golden Spikes,” Wasikowski said, referring to amateur baseball’s top award. “He’s got a real chance. You saw it today… When a hitter is in the zone, (the baseball) just looks like a beachball coming in there. It seems that’s kind of where (Neville) is at right now.”

Instead of swinging for his 26th tank of the year, the junior centerfielder laid down a bunt. Without a soul on the left side of the infield, Neville made the smart, albeit boring, decision to tap the ball up the third-base line and keep the order moving. Neville didn’t execute it, with Washington’s Emanuels gloving it and making the throw to Taggart on a close play for the second out of the eighth.

For Wasikowski — who said he didn’t want Neville to bunt — the failed execution wasn’t an issue. But the presence of mind to make the team-first play is a part of the centerfielder’s Golden Spikes candidacy.

“I really didn’t want him to do that,” Wasikowski said. “But, again, that’s his confidence saying, ‘If you’re going to (use that shift) against me, I’m going to make you pay.’

“His plan was to do that, then steal second base and turn it into a double, probably. Even without him saying it, that’s probably what he wanted to do.”

While Neville missed out on the bunt single, he finished Saturday’s win over the Huskies going 2-for-5 with a double, a home run (25th this season) and three RBI. He remains one walk shy of setting the single-season record in the category, with 50 to his credit. The junior remains uninterested in talking about himself as a Golden Spikes candidate, however.

“No, I just kind of go out there and do whatever I can to help my team win,” Neville said when asked about added pressure from award-season discourse. “I mean, it’s cool and all, don’t get me wrong. But I’m just focused on the game (and) minimizing everything. I feel like that’s the best way to handle it.”

Neville’s two extra-base hits accounted for half of the Ducks four on Saturday afternoon, and two of 12-total hits. First baseman Jacob Walsh added a solo home run of his own, his 17th of 2025, while right fielder Drew Smith roped a double of his own.

Both Walsh and Smith finished with singles as well, joining Neville, catcher Chase Meggers (2-for-4) and third baseman Carter Garate (2-for-4) in the multi-hit group of Ducks.

Right-hander Collin Clarke (5-2) made the start for Oregon and earned the win behind five innings of work. All four runs by the Huskies came across on Clarke’s watch, two earned and two-unearned. The junior struck out four batters, being relieved for the top of the sixth inning after 70 pitches.

Oregon’s bullpen was nails in the win, throwing four hitless innings in relief of Clarke.

Left-hander Santiago Garcia (2 and 1/3rd innings) punched out four in his stint, exiting after recording the first out of the eighth. Right-hander Cole Stokes (2/3rds inning) punched out one of the two he faced finishing off the eighth before Seth Mattox fanned two in the top of the ninth en route to the save.

Oregon will play for the sweep over Washington when game three gets underway at noon on Sunday, May 11 at PK Park.