Kayleen Hudson treasures the chance to make an impact for the Oregon softball team.
Last season, she watched and rehabbed a stress fracture in her right foot. She was cleared to play again in mid-fall and is making the transition back to the playing field.
Hudson grew stronger through the year away, and says it gave her a greater appreciation for playing collegiate softball in Eugene.
“It was really hard, but I think that I matured a lot,” Hudson said.
Hudson and the softball team travels to Palm Springs, Calif. for the second time this season this week and are playing in the Palm Springs Tournament. Oregon starts today with a game against Baylor at 8 p.m.
The senior outfielder, who his hitting .280 with seven hits and two runs scored, helped Oregon beat South Carolina, 3-0, last weekend and avenged the Ducks’ losses to the Gamecocks in last year’s NCAA Tournament.
“It meant a lot to me, especially because last year, that was my class,” Hudson said. “I have a lot of respect for the seniors that were gone. I really wanted to give it to them.”
Suzie Barnes, starting second baseman last spring, is helping as an assistant coach and was able to experience the win firsthand. Barnes, in turn, called Ann Marie Topps who was back in Eugene.
“Anyone that ends your season in a heartbreaking way like they did for us last year there was definitely a payback factor,” coach Kathy Arendsen said.
Hudson went into right center after a ball that was heading towards the wall, lunged and with her feet off the ground fully extended and made the catch.
“It was an ESPN highlight catch,” Arendsen said.
One challenge for Hudson has been regaining her timing at the plate.
“They prepared us well in the fall and we got a lot of reps,” Hudson said. “Just seeing a lot of pitches, I feel pretty confident.”

Feeling good

Oregon sits at 5-5 overall after winning three of five games last weekend.
“I think we’re moving in a better direction,” Arendsen said. “I’m still not pleased. I think we’re a little bit timid yet, a little hesitant. We’re young. We’re relatively inexperienced at a number of positions but I saw some really positive things too.”
The Ducks’ offense has shown it can be potent. Oregon exploded for 13 runs in last week’s tournament opener, and Sari-Jane Jenkins had three of the Ducks’ hits. In the tournament finale, Neena Bryant hit the tying home run in the sixth inning and two innings later, Jenkins singled in the game winner in a 4-3 defeat of San Jose State.
“When we’re on, we’re on,” Jenkins said. “Again, it’s finding consistency (and) being able to go up and just have great at-bats.”
The next tournament for Oregon brings the softball team up against a trio of ranked opponents. Northwestern is ranked No. 3, Oklahoma is No. 6 and Baylor is No. 13.
“This is a great test for us,” Arendsen said. “When we play in the Pac-10, we’re playing everybody that’s ranked.”
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