Another brilliant performance from junior Megan Kleist wasn’t enough to overcome a poor offensive outing as No. 6 Oregon softball lost to No. 13 Florida State in Tallahassee, Florida, on Sunday afternoon.
In the final game of the Unconquered Invitational, Kleist (6-3) threw for six innings, seven strikeouts, one walk and allowed no earned runs. According to GoDucks.com, this is just the second time an Oregon pitcher has lost on a no-hitter. It happened to Katie Wiese in 1989.
Kleist now has a .840 earned run average, with 79 strikeouts and just eight walks. The team’s collective ERA is 0.79.
Florida State’s only scoring happened in the fourth inning. After an error by shortstop DJ Sanders, FSU had runners on second and third with no outs. Carsyn Gordon put the ball in play in the infield and reached first on a fielders choice while Jessie Warren avoided the tag attempt at the plate.
With the game tied at one, Kleist walked the next batter, and catcher Elizabeth Mason hit a deep sacrifice flyball to score the runner from second base and take a 2-1 lead.
The offense had an off night, only getting five hits against senior ace Kylee Hanson (8-3). The Ducks loaded the bases in the first inning but could not score. In the second inning, Jenna Lilley drove in the only run by hitting a single to left-center and driving in Shaye Bowden from third.
Other than that, the team had very little opportunity to score. With just five hits, there were six batters left on base.
The softball team will make its home debut on Thursday March 8 against Toledo at 5:30 p.m. Oregon will play six games over four days during the Oregon Invitational at Jane Sanders Stadium, including Weber State, Montana and Bryant.
Follow August Howell on Twitter @howell_august