For a pitcher who has an exceptional list of accomplishments, Cheridan Hawkins did something she’s never done before in an Oregon uniform.
The two-time all-American added to her five no-hitters with her first perfect game. Hawkins’ dominance led to an 8-0 victory over Washington as the Ducks improved to 29-3 overall and 7-0 in the Pac-12.
Hawkins faced the minimum 15 batters in five innings with three strikeouts on 56 pitches.
Oregon gave Hawkins all the offense she would need in the first inning when the Ducks scored five runs while batting through the lineup.
Left fielder Janie Takeda started the rally with a one-out triple before scoring on an illegal pitch. Catcher Janelle Lindvall added an RBI single before centerfielder Koral Costa’s three-run homerun completed the scoring. Costa’s blast was her ninth of the season, the most for the Ducks on the year.
One of the more bizarre outs of the season occurred in the fourth inning.
Shortstop Nikki Udria hit a two-run blast that scored Costa but she was only given a triple in the scorebooks. As Udria rounded the bases and headed for home plate, Hawkins stepped into fair territory before Udria crossed home plate. That mistake by Hawkins led to Udria being out and given just a triple.
The Ducks regrouped in the fifth inning to end the game when first baseman Hailey Decker hit a two-run homerun with one out for the walk-off win.
Oregon will go for the series-clinching win tomorrow when they host the Huskies at 2 p.m. at Howe Field.
Follow Ryan Kostecka on Twitter: @Ryan_Kostecka