Even head coach Mike White was surprised.
No. 2 Oregon tallied 17 runs on 19 hits to run-rule No. 18 California Sunday in the final regular season game at Howe Field, sweeping the series and sending its seniors out in style.
Janie Takeda was 4-for-4 including a home run.
“I feel like we’re really gelling at the right time,” Takeda said. “… We’re just having a lot of fun right now.”
Cal struck first on a solo home run by Danielle Henderson off Oregon starting pitcher Cheridan Hawkins with two outs. Hawkins improves to 25-3 with the win. Cal’s Stephanie Trzcinski received the loss after allowing eight earned runs in one plus inning of work.
Takeda got the Oregon scoring started, singling and then stealing second, her 100th career stolen base. Hailey Decker followed that up with a two-run home run to put the Ducks up 2-1 after one inning.
“We kept putting people on and kept hitting line drives,” White said. “Just pleased to see that we have that focus. They were loose, playing for the seniors. Even the seniors got some hits. Just awesome. Couldn’t ask for a better end to a day.”
Hawkins gave up a hit in the top of the second, but the runner didn’t score.
In the bottom of the second, Oregon clubbed in six runs. Gerri Ann Glasco drew a walk. Koral Costa scored two on a two-run bomb. Lauren Lindvall singled, Danica Mercado singled and Nikki Udria reached on a bunt, which brought Takeda to the plate. She doubled, scoring all three Oregon runners. After Lilley grounded out to send Takeda to third, Decker singled her in. Takeda’s run was her 194th, a new Oregon career record.
“I think you treat this like a Super Regional,” Hawkins said. “They’re a great team and I think to get to play this competition this close towards postseason is really good for us.”
Neither team scored in the third inning, but Oregon exploded for nine more runs in the bottom of the fourth.
Takeda led the inning off with a single, Lilley tripled, scoring Takeda. Decker, who was 4-for-4 at the plate, including four RBIs, singled, scoring Lilley.
Sara Goodrum entered the game, singling. Decker and Goodrum would score in a Costa single that advanced her to third on a two-base error. Costa then scored on a passed ball.
Stevie Joe Knapp doubled and Alyssa Gillespie entered, clubbing a two-run home run. Takeda followed that up with a home-run of her own. Jasmine Smithson-Willet and Decker both singled. Smithson-Willet scored on a hit by Gwen Svekis. Goodman grounded out to end the inning.
Karissa Hovinga came in for the fifth inning, allowing one hit in one inning to secure the win for Oregon.
“I think that’s probably one of the best games we’ve had all year,” White said.
Follow Jonathan Hawthorne on Twitter @Jon_Hawthorne