The Oregon softball squad is off to its best start since at least 1986, the first year the Ducks started keeping records — and the team has been playing for less than two weeks.
The Ducks (8-1) went undefeated in this weekend’s Seminole Classic, winning the tournament and beating two ranked teams.
Oregon came into the tournament 4-1 after winning the Southwest Texas/CenturyTel Tournament, and opened the Seminole Classic with a 3-0 win over Southeastern Louisiana on Friday.
“We had great pitching performances today from Lindsay (Kontra) and Andrea (Vidlund),” head coach Kathy Arendsen said Friday.
Kontra, a sophomore, and Vidlund, a senior, combined for Oregon’s second shutout of the season.
The Ducks immediately faced their next challenge — No. 9 Florida State. Freshman Duck pitcher Amy Harris gave up one run in the first inning, but held the Seminoles scoreless with the help of Vidlund, who earned a save.
In the top of the seventh, Oregon loaded the bases with three freshmen for senior Alyssa Laux. Laux drove in two runs and Oregon held on to win 3-1.
Saturday, Oregon began the day against another ranked team — No. 17 Georgia.
After an early 2-0 lead by Oregon, Georgia tied the game in the sixth. Harris came in to pitch, holding Georgia scoreless for the rest of the game.
Senior Lynsey Haij drove in Laux for the winning run — in the bottom of the 12th inning. The game lasted 4 hours and 15 minutes.
Oregon played Florida A&M to close the tournament, winning 11-4.
Junior Jenn Poore and sophomore Mari Lyn Petrick each had two RBIs against Florida A&M. Petrick, Haij, senior Rachel Tommasini and freshmen Danielle Baird and Breanne Sabol each scored twice.
“We have a very resilient team right now,” Arendsen said. “We’re getting hits when we need to and right now we’re just outplaying teams. I’m very pleased with our pitching and how we’ve been playing defensively.”
The Ducks play in their first tournament on the West Coast this weekend as they travel to San Diego for the Campbell/Cartier Tournament.