The No. 17 Oregon softball team completed its stay in the Bay Area by taking two of three games from No. 14 Stanford to win its first Pac-12 series this spring. @@http://www.goducks.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPID=245&DB_OEM_ID=500&ATCLID=205410237@@
After winning the series opener 8-5 on Thursday night, the Ducks fell 7-6 on Friday. In each of Oregon’s three Pac-12 series in as many weeks, the Ducks (25-8, 4-4 Pac-12) have split the first two games each time out, but they wouldn’t be denied a second victory on Saturday. @@http://www.goducks.com/SportSelect.dbml?&DB_OEM_ID=500&SPID=245&SPSID=4374@@
Oregon used a season-high 16 hits to pick up a 12-8 victory, thanks in large part to a 10-run third inning that effectively put the game out of Stanford’s reach the rest of the way. It was the second consecutive year that Oregon has won the series between the two returning Super Regional qualifiers.
On Saturday, the first seven hitters in Oregon’s lineup recorded multiple hits, including a 3-for-5 showing from junior second baseman Kaylan Howard. Howard was responsible for one of the Ducks’ four home runs in the game and finished with three RBI.
Other Oregon players with multiple hits included sophomore Courtney Ceo (2 for 5), senior shortstop Kelsey Chambers (2 for 5, home run, two RBI), sophomore first baseman Kailee Cuico (2 for 4), junior center fielder Samantha Pappas (2 for 2, home run, three RBI), sophomore catcher Alexa Peterson, (2 for 3, three RBI) and senior designated player Christie Nieto (2 for 3, home run, three RBI).
Starting pitcher Jessica Moore (18-5) gave up six earned runs on 13 hits and also struck out six and walked four more in seven innings of work.
Oregon returns home this week for a midweek series with the Washington Huskies, which is scheduled to begin with a doubleheader at 3 p.m. on Tuesday and a single-game finale Wednesday at noon. The Ducks and Huskies are fourth and fifth in the Pac-12 standings, respectively. @@http://www.goducks.com/SportSelect.dbml?&DB_OEM_ID=500&KEY=&SPID=245&SPSID=4374@@