The Oregon softball team completed its first tournament of the season on a high note.
Alicia Cook pitched a 2-0 shutout of Cal-State Northridge in the finale of the Cathedral City Kickoff tournament.
The senior pitcher (1-2) allowed five hits in her 16th career shutout and left 10 Cal State Northridge runners on base.
“I had to rely on a lot of heart and do my best for the team,” Cook said in a media release. “The last inning, I didn’t want them to score so I gave it my all. It’s at those points I really realize how much I love the game, and that’s what I’m there for.”
Junior Sari-Jane Jenkins scored the first run off a single by redshirt senior Kayleen Hudson in the first inning, and Neena Bryant gave Oregon its second run with a home run in the sixth inning.
“(Being in such a tight game) is a good way to start the season off and gives me confidence, although I still have some room to get stronger,” Cook said. “I haven’t pitched three games in a weekend in eight months, so that part will get easier.”
Oregon returns to Eugene with a 2-3 record.
“Alicia showed a lot of guts and threw very, very well,” Oregon head coach Kathy Arendsen said Sunday in a media release. “I was really proud of her effort – she had great focus and concentration and did everything a senior pitcher is supposed to. At the plate, Neena had a great day and stepped up and really lifted our team.”
The Ducks second win came Saturday in a 14-4 offensive explosion against Cal Poly. Oregon dropped games to Colorado State, 3-2, Mississippi State, 3-0, and Tennessee, 5-0.
Against Cal Poly, freshman Monique Fuiava belted a first inning grand slam that jumpstarted Oregon’s offense. Fuiava hit a second home run two innings later that gave her a team-high six RBIs.
Four Oregon players had two hits, including Ashley and Cortney Kivett, Lovena Chaput and Jenkins.
Freshman pitcher Brittany Rumfelt spread out 11 hits and four earned runs over five innings.
Oregon now looks ahead to the Louisville Slugger Classic next weekend in Las Vegas. The Ducks kick off the tournament Friday with games against Northwestern State and Kansas.
[email protected]