Compared to its 11-0 loss Saturday to Stanford, Oregon committed far fewer mistakes Sunday in a 5-2 loss to the No. 2 Cardinal.
But those costly errors, no matter how few, cost the Ducks a shot at a split with one of the nation’s best teams at Howe Field in front of 363 fans.
The Ducks’ start was inauspicious to say the least. Freshman pitcher Samantha Skillingstad gave up a two-run home run to Stanford catcher Rosey Neill, giving the Cardinal (34-2, 5-1 Pac-10) a 3-0 lead after the top of the first.
But unlike Saturday, when the Ducks (12-22, 1-6) were held to one hit, the home team fought back. Senior left fielder Sari-Jane Jenkins connected on her fifth career home run and second of the weekend, a solo shot over the left field wall on her first pitch. Oregon added another run on an RBI double by Blair Williamson that scored Neena Bryant.
But in trying to catch up to the Cardinal the rest of the way, Oregon outplayed itself and committed two errors that led to two runs for Stanford. The first, a misplayed ball by second baseman Kelsey Chambers in the top of the third inning, allowed Maddy Coon to score from third base.
The Ducks didn’t help themselves at the plate, either, failing to score Jenkins from third base after the senior reached scoring position with no outs in the bottom of the third inning. The next three hitters in the heart of UO’s order, Neena Bryant, Monique Fuiava and Blair Williamson, ended the inning with a flyout to third base, a strikeout and another flyout to center field.
“I couldn’t ask for three better hitters,” Oregon head coach Kathy Arendsen said. “We were presented with some great opportunities.”
Back on defense an inning later and with two outs, Stanford’s Ashley Hansen roped a line drive to left field that Oregon’s Williamson dropped, scoring Sarah Hassman.
The errors marred a solid performance from Skillingstad (8-9) the rest of the game. The freshman threw a complete game, allowing three earned runs on five hits.
“Errors happen,” Skillingstad said. “Minus that first inning, we get a ‘W.’ That’s all it takes with these good teams.”
After picking up the win in a 7-0 game over Cal on Friday afternoon, she’s finding her rhythm on the mound in Pac-10 play.
“I think I’m getting to know what to expect from Pac-10 hitters,” she said. “I felt good.”
For the second day in a row, Stanford starter Missy Penna was just as frustrating for the Ducks. Penna allowed three hits in seven innings, striking out five in the win. Penna, the reigning national player of the week, allowed just four hits in two games against the Ducks during the weekend and lowered her ERA to 0.74.
Stanford has won 33 of its last 34 games, and is 31-0 this season when it scores first.
Jenkins had the best luck of any Duck against her, going 2-for-3 on Sunday, including her home run. Arendsen said the recent power surge from Jenkins isn’t by design or from any prodding from the coaches, who would rather her stay on the basepaths because of her speed.
They couldn’t disagree, however, with the boost the hit gave Oregon.
“Teams don’t know how to play defense against her now, because she’s such a triple threat,” Arendsen said.
“I wasn’t looking to hit it that hard,” said Jenkins, who watched extra film of her hitting last night on coaches’ orders.
Oregon stays in Eugene until April 22, with five home games in that stretch. Its next opponent is Oregon State on April 10 at 4 p.m.
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