Bryce Boettcher wins home run derby, helps rally team win in celebrity softball game

EUGENE — Bryce Boettcher still has long ball power and his fielding prowess.

The Oregon linebacker and former outfielder, drafted by the Houston Astros last year, won the home run derby and helped rally his team to victory in the celebrity softball game that followed Saturday afternoon at Jane Sanders Stadium.

Boettcher topped edge rusher Matayo Uiagalelei 9-8 to advance to the finals, where he beat Ducks softball slugger Stefini Ma’ake 18-15, topping Justin Herbert’s single-round record from last year. The Eugene native added a single, double and scored two runs in a 11-9 win over Dante Moore’s team in the game that followed, the second annual event benefiting Kidsports.

Both teams, which were loaded with UO football, basketball and softball players and alums, hit the maximum allowed three home runs — Uiagalelei hit a two-run home run and later crushed a solo shot that counted as an out.

Former Oregon safety Brady Breeze hit an inside the park home run to give Boettcher’s team a 3-2 lead after two. Moore’s squad went ahead 6-3 in the top of the third and Boettcher scored in the bottom of the inning to make it 6-4.

Incoming softball signee Maddie Milhorn dominated the fourth, striking out the side of both teams, including Breeze and former Oregon left tackle Josh Conerly Jr.

Dez Patmon hit a solo shot to give Moore’s team a 7-4 lead in the fifth, but Boettcher’s team rallied for seven runs in the bottom of the inning as Kade Caton and Jerry Mixon each hit two-run homers and Dillon Thieneman, Luke Jackson and Breeze each drove in runs.

Ma’ake blasted a two-run shot in the sixth to narrow the gap, but Boettcher’s team closed it out.

—

James Crepea

covers the

Oregon Ducks

and Big Ten.

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