The Oregon Ducks (19-10, 7-2 Pac-12) completed a series sweep over the Arizona State Sun Devils (17-14, 2-7 Pac-12) with a 5-0 shutout victory. Oregon hit three home runs in the game as it dominated both sides of the ball throughout the contest.
“These guys came in and they had their mindset to get the sweep,” Oregon head coach Melyssa Lombardi said. “We clinched the series yesterday, but they wanted to get the sweep.”
Hanna Delgado slotted into the lead off position for the Ducks and was walked in her first appearance at the plate. Ariel Carlson then hit a two-run home run to put Oregon on top early in the game. Vallery Wong joined in later in the inning with a home run of her own, this one being a solo-shot, to give the Ducks a 3-0 advantage.
“There’s a lot of work behind every swing that I take,” Carlson said. “So it just feels good whenever it shows up in the game.”
After a stellar first two innings from Oregon’s Stevie Hansen, she faced her first major test in the top of the third inning. The Sun Devils’ Audrey LeClair hit a triple down the right field line to put the pressure on the Ducks with two outs in the inning. A single from ASU’s Tanya Windle that scored one was reviewed and Windle was called out at first base, taking the run off the board. Oregon was able to keep the Sun Devils scoreless through the inning.
The clutch fielding allowed the Ducks to extend their lead in the next inning. Carlson hit a double, then stole third base before she was able to get all the way home when Wong singled later in the inning. Oregon’s lead grew to 4-0 heading into the fourth inning.
Arizona State could not muster any offensive production against Hansen. She faced just 11 batters in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings, and allowed just one hit during that span. Through her six innings she allowed just three hits while pitching a shutout, earning the win in the game.
“I think today was a good day for me,” Hansen said. “But I think it was really helpful having a good defense out there. And I just think that having them behind me and just knowing they’re always going to have my back, it’s just more relieving as a pitcher.”
Although it seemed like the Ducks were not in any danger of blowing their lead, they decided to add to it anyway in the bottom of the sixth inning. Emma Kauf hit a solo homer – Oregon’s third home run of the game – to push the score to 5-0. A long rain delay was enough to slow down the Ducks’ offense, and the inning ended almost immediately after play resumed.
Morgan Scott took over in the circle to end the game for Oregon. She wasted no time in ending the game, retiring the side to secure a series sweep for the Ducks.
“It’s exciting,” Hansen said about completing the sweep. “It’s just exciting to see that we can get all three [wins], and just push this momentum forward into the following [Pac-12] series and Fullerton game.”
Oregon’s offense was on full display in the contest as it out hit the Sun Devils 8-3 in the game. The Ducks were led by Carlson who went 3-3 on the day, including hitting a home run and earning two RBIs.
Oregon will face the Cal State Fullerton Titans on Tuesday, Mar. 26 at 6:00 p.m. before continuing Pac-12 conference play against the UCLA Bruins on Thursday Mar. 28 at 7:00 p.m.
