Cheridan Hawkins was certainly back to form on Friday night.
She struck out eight batters, allowing just one hit and one walk to keep Arizona at bay and help power the Ducks past the visitors, 2-0, for a series-opening win.
“She did a tremendous job using all her pitches,” head coach Mike White said. “I couldn’t be more proud of her.”
Hawkins then made history in the fourth inning with nobody out. She struck out Katiyana Mauga looking for her 1,000th career strike out.
“It was sheer joy and happiness,” Hawkins said. “I was excited that we were winning. … Being here and achieving something like that is amazing. Our crowd — I just had tears in my eyes.”

HIGHLIGHT| Here is Cheridan Hawkins’ 1,000th career strikeout! #GoDucks https://t.co/8Ny2lBo6Hs
— Oregon Duck Softball (@OregonSB) April 30, 2016

Hawkins retired 17 straight batters after giving up a double in the second inning.
“I kind of felt like myself tonight,” Hawkins said. “It’s just small steps in continuing that path.”
Hawkins said she focused on finishing her pitches on Friday night.
“I just tried to keep that in my mind today,” Hawkins said. “That’s what I was telling myself.”
The win improves Hawkins’ record to 15-3 on the season and lowers her ERA to 2.33. During the game, she recorded her 1,000th career strikeout, joining an elite Pac-12 club. She also tallied her 31st shutout, tying the school record.
The Ducks, who improved to 36-6, scored first in the third inning. Lauren Lindvall started the inning with Oregon’s first hit, then Gwen Svekis followed with a hit of her own. White then subbed in Sammie Puentes to run for Svekis. Lindvall scored when Puentes stole second after a throwing error from Arizona’s catcher for an earned run.
Puentes delivered the final Oregon run on a towering shot to deep center in the fifth inning. It was her first of the season and fourth of her career, giving Oregon a 2-0 lead.
“We left her in and it paid off dividends,” White said. “She came through with a big hit. That was huge. It just gives you a little bit of a cushion.”
White said with Oregon’s deep roster, opportunities aren’t always available, but Puentes came through at a critical time.
“Tomorrow she may have earned a start,” White said.
Costa, who didn’t play for the Ducks on Friday night after a strained neck muscle, is “day-by-day,” White said.
Costa had started all 41 games this season before Friday.
“She’s getting a lot of treatment on it right now, so hopefully we can get her back this weekend,” White said. “It was just something where she kind of yawned and stretched and just felt something go in her neck. I thought that kind of happened at my age, not her age.”
Up next: Oregon returns to Jane Sanders Stadium for game two of the series. First pitch is set for 5 p.m. on Pac-12 Networks.
Follow Jonathan Hawthorne on Twitter @Jon_Hawthorne