Inconsistencies plagued the Oregon softball team last weekend at the Fiesta Bowl Tournament in Phoenix, as the Ducks (7-5 overall) started hot, but lost three of their final four games to finish the tournament at 3-3.
The No. 20 Ducks earned a split against Wisconsin and No. 24 Texas on the final day of the tournament. Behind the arm of sophomore pitcher Andrea Vidlund (2-2) — who gave up two hits over seven innings and recorded nine strikeouts — the Ducks picked up a 2-0 victory over the Badgers in the early game Sunday. Holly Ray provided the offense with her fifth home run of the season.
In the second game, Texas jumped out to a 3-1 lead early, but the Ducks fought back behind a fourth inning rally sparked by a triple by shortstop Kate Peterson, who scored on a throwing error. Then in the sixth, catcher Kelly Planche belted a home run to give the Ducks a one-run lead, but the Longhorns scored three times in the bottom of the inning to win 6-5.
On Saturday, Oregon scored just one run in two games, but lost both contests by a combined one run. Against No. 12 Nebraska, sophomore transfer Lisa Wangler held the Huskers hitless until the fourth, but gave up both runs in the fifth inning. They were the first runs that Wangler had allowed in three starts. The Ducks lost 2-1, with their only run coming on a Ray home run in the sixth.
Massachusetts proved to be too tough for Oregon in the second game. It was pitcher Connie McMurren’s first loss of the year, despite only giving up two hits, including a solo home run.
“We didn’t come out with a high level of intensity, and we weren’t mentally ready,” Oregon head coach Rick Gamez said. “We’ve got to start being prepared for every game.”
The Ducks won both games on Friday. A five-inning shutout by Wangler lifted Oregon to an 8-0 win over Texas Tech in the first game.
In Friday’s second game, McMurren recorded 10 strikeouts in six innings to lead the Ducks to a 4-1 win over Utah. Wangler provided the offensive punch, going 2-for-3 with two runs scored.
“We came out and did what we needed to do,” Gamez said Friday. “We had to learn to be mentally tough and I’m proud of our team for the way they played today.”