The No. 15 Oregon softball team visited Las Vegas last weekend and returned to Eugene with four wins in five games in the Eller Media Stadium Classic at UNLV.
Oregon split two games with UNLV Thursday, winning one 10-1 and losing the other 5-1. They had a second double header on Friday and won both of those games, the first an 8-3 win over New Mexico State and the second a 5-0 win over Miami of Ohio.
Saturday, Oregon earned a 3-1 decision over Longwood. The weekend performances improve Oregon’s record to 24-3 overall.
In the finale of the tournament, designated player Marie Ann Topps snapped a 1-1 tie in the bottom of the sixth with her career-high 10th home run of the season. The two-run jack marked the second of the tournament for Topps, who also had one against UNLV. Topps held the high mark for Oregon RBIs with eight last weekend.
Pitcher Alicia Cook (13-1) allowed one hit after maintaining a hitless streak through five innings of play. She had six strikeouts as she won her 13th consecutive decision. She went 3-0 with a 1.05 ERA in Vegas.
Pitcher Melissa Rice (11-2) tossed a three-hit shutout in Oregon’s 5-0 win against Miami of Ohio, striking out seven and walking one. Oregon’s offense exploded with 11 hits, highlighted by Blair Williamson, who went 3-for-3. Shortstop Jennifer Salling also powered her fourth home run of the season.
– Jeffrey Dransfeldt