The Oregon softball team found enough time amid consistent rain this weekend to sweep Mississippi Valley State.
Friday’s two wins proved to be the last games of the weekend. In four games Thursday and Friday Oregon had to wait out five rain delays, so with more rain coming down on Saturday, the Ducks’ double-header with Utah State was canceled.
With finals this week, Oregon will take a break before returning to the field and continuing the Cascade Clash with doubleheaders versus Idaho State on Sunday at noon and UC Davis on Tuesday, March 25, at 1 p.m.
Oregon maintains an overall record of 21-11 and, with Pacific-10 Conference play approaching, any games the Ducks can get in is important, first baseman Carlyn Re said.
“Especially to get more wins as we head into Pac-10s,” she said.
The Ducks benefited Friday from a pair of one-hit performances from pitchers Alicia Cook and Melissa Rice.
Rice (9-4) started the opener. She pitched five innings and struck out four, while walking one in the 10-0 Oregon win. Rice’s shutout tied her with former Oregon pitcher Amy Harris for career shutouts with 11. It was also Rice’s seventh straight win.
She pitched, and withstood two 45-minute rain delays, with the benefit of an explosive Oregon offensive performance.
Oregon scored seven runs in the bottom of the first inning with RBI singles by center fielder Neena Bryant and catcher Ashley Kivett and two-run singles by designated player Monique Fuiava and Re. The Ducks also gained a run on a wild pitch that brought in Kivett from third base.
The Ducks put up two more runs in the second inning on right fielder Kayleen Hudson’s fourth home run this season. Hudson, along with Bryant and Fuiava, have the same home run total this season, while third baseman Joanna Gail leads the team with five.
Oregon’s second game on Friday featured more of the same from the Ducks’ offense in a 6-1 win.
Cook (8-7) took over after Rice pitched the first 2/3 innings, striking out six and walking none in a one-hitter. Her win tied her with former Ducks Harris and Connie McMurren for fourth-all time at Oregon with 49.
Oregon’s offense tallied three runs in the third, one in the fourth and two more in the fifth inning.
In the third inning, catcher Amie Morris doubled and pinch runner Hannah Barril scored off a single up the middle by second baseman Cortney Kivett. Kivett ended up stealing second base and scored off a single by left fielder Sari-Jane Jenkins. Jenkins scored the third run of the inning on a double by Bryant to right field.
Bryant and shortstop Lovena Chaput concluded the Oregon scoring with back-to-back solo home runs.
For the game, Bryant was 2 for 3 with two RBIs.
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