Oregon softball defeated No. 24 California 2-0 on Saturday in Berkeley, California, to clinch its fifth Pac-12 championship in six seasons.
“This is a great achievement for our club because the Pac-12 is as tough as it’s ever been,” head coach Mike White said. “I’m really proud of them. This team really loves each other, they’re a very close group and a very fun group to be around.”
The only runs in the game came in the came in the fourth inning. After Gwen Svekis walked, Shannon Rhodes singled to left field to give the Ducks two runners on base. Later in the inning with two outs, Mia Camuso singled to drive in Svekis and Rhodes to give Oregon the 2-0 win.
Sophomores Maggie Balint and Miranda Elish combined to hold Cal to six hits over seven innings.
“This is my first (championship),” sophomore Maggie Balint said. “Last year we were so close, it’s awesome.”
The Ducks (47-7, 21-3 Pac-12) were tied in the Pac-12 standings with No. 1 UCLA entering this week, but after UCLA dropped a game to Arizona State, all the Ducks had to do was sweep Cal, which they did on Saturday.
Oregon will discover its seed for the NCAA Tournament during the selection show on Sunday at 7 p.m. on ESPN2.
“I think this team is very aware that it’s not done yet,” senior Lauren Lindvall said. “We’ll enjoy this one and keep going when we get back to Eugene.”
Follow Jack Butler on Twitter @Butler917