With the non-conference portion of the season behind them, the Oregon softball team is entering Pacific-10 Conference play with its sights set on a second-consecutive berth in the NCAA Tournament.
Oregon’s start to Pac-10 play was delayed when the Ducks’ visit to Seattle to play Washington was snowed out. Oregon (25-13, 0-2 Pac-10) traveled next to Los Angeles for two games with No. 1 UCLA (31-3, 3-0).
The Ducks dropped the opener, 2-0, in a shutout. UCLA’s offense made quick work of the Ducks in the second game, with five runs apiece in the first and second innings in a 12-0 rout.
The first game featured a strong pitching performance by Melissa Rice, who allowed just two hits, one earned run and two walks with a strikeout. At one point, she had a stretch of 14 batters retired on ground balls.
Oregon had its best opportunity to score in the sixth inning when the Ducks loaded the bases with two outs. But Monique Fuiava CQ struck out on a check swing.
Spring break showcased a successful period for Oregon, as the Ducks completed the non-conference portion of its season with sweeps of Idaho State and UC Davis.
Rice and freshman Brittany Rumfelt combined for five no-hit innings in the Ducks 8-0 win in the Idaho State opener.
Oregon’s offense also benefited from the power of Neena Bryant and Joanna Gail, who each had a home run. Gail’s 2-for-2 afternoon featured a season-high four RBIs.
Alicia Cook kept up Oregon’s quality pitching in the next game with one hit allowed in five innings in the Ducks’ 2-0 win. She had six strikeouts while giving up a walk. Rumfelt came on and pitched the final two innings to earn her first save.
The Ducks extended their winning streak to 11 games with its sweep of UC Davis. In Oregon’s 7-3 win in the first game, Bryant clubbed two home runs – one in her first at-bat and another in the fourth inning. Bryant was 3-for-3 in the game.
In the second game, Rice threw seven shutout innings in the Ducks 2-0 win. Bryant brought home Oregon’s first run with a double to left field that scored Cortney Kivett. Oregon added the second run in the fourth inning off a home run by Gail.
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