MORAGA, Calif. (AP) - The University of Oregon ushered in the return of its baseball program after 28 seasons with a 5-3 victory over Saint Mary's.

Jett Hart hit a two-run triple for Oregon in a four-run fifth inning Friday night for the Ducks. Oregon, led by former Cal State Fullerton coach George Horton, last fielded a team in the 1980-81 season. It was then relegated to club sport because of budget constraints.

The Ducks had been the only Pac-10 school without baseball since.

"They've worked awful hard and I am glad they were rewarded with a win,'' said Horton, who had about 18 months to restart Oregon's program.

Freshman Tyler Anderson, a left-hander from Las Vegas, went 52/3 innings, allowing three runs - two earned - on eight hits. He struck out five and walked four.

Caleb Tommasini and Curtis Raulinaitis each went 3-for-4 for the Ducks.

"I have never been as prepared as I was today before a game,'' said Tommasini, who led off the game with an infield single. "Everything that was thrown at me, I expected it.''

Brian Justice took the loss for Saint Mary's, allowing five runs on nine hits over five innings.

Horton coached the Titans for 11 seasons, taking the team to the College World Series six times. His team won the national title in 2004, and he was twice the national coach of the year.

The Ducks made it to the College World Series in 1954, but were eliminated after losses to Arizona and Massachusetts.

TENNESSEE 5, OREGON STATE 4

KNXOVILLE, Tenn. n Joey Wong, Adalberto Santos and John Tommasini all had two hits but the 25th-ranked Oregon State baseball team dropped a 5-4 decision to Tennessee in the Beavers' 2009 season opener on Friday at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.

Josh Liles singled to right center off Oregon State closer Kevin Rhoderick to drive in Kentrail Davis with the winning run.

Tennessee had opened the ninth with a 4-3 deficit, but managed two runs off Rhoderick, who dropped to 0-1 this year after being saddled with the loss.

Wong was 2-for-5 from the leadoff spot and Tommasini had a 2-for-4 afternoon as well. Overall, the Beavers finished with 12 hits - with eight of the nine in the starting lineup recording at least one.

Tennessee, meanwhile, had eight off five Oregon State pitchers. Liles, who had the game-winning hit, led the Volunteers with two.

The Beavers and Volunteers square off again today in a game that is slated for an 11 a.m. start.