Ani Nyhus almost did it again.
For the second time in as many starts, the transfer from Central Arizona College pitched a stellar shutout — this time throwing a one-hitter as the No. 17 Ducks (27-9 overall, 1-0 Pacific-10 Conference) shut out Portland State, 1-0, in the second game of Wednesday’s doubleheader.
The one-hit victory followed close on the heels of her no-hitter against Utah State on Saturday.
The sole hit that Nyhus allowed was an infield single to Viking center fielder Whitney Olsen, the lead-off batter in the first inning of the game.
Despite giving up the hit, Nyhus faced the minimum number of batters — 21 — with the help of a double play in the bottom of the first. She is now 12-4 this season.
Nyhus struck out 12 in the victory, her second consecutive start with a double-digit strikeout performance. In the Utah State victory, the junior broke a 10-year-old Oregon record, striking out 16 batters.
Offensively, The Ducks managed four hits against Portland State pitcher Vanessa Holm. Holm struck out 10 in the game.
Oregon’s lone run came on catcher Jenn Poore’s fifth home run of the season. Poore was 2 for 3 in the game. Shortstop Breanne Sabol and third baseman Ashley Richards added Oregon’s remaining hits.
In the first game, the Ducks’ offense came alive in the final innings.
After Oregon’s Anissa Meashintubby allowed seven hits and two runs in five innings, the Ducks put together three runs in the top of the sixth to take a 3-2 lead.
With the lead, Oregon brought in Nyhus to relieve Meashintubby. She pitched two shutout innings, earning her first save of the season.
The Ducks added two runs in the top of the seventh for a 5-2 win.
Meashintubby earned the victory, improving her record to 10-2 in her senior season.
Nyhus struck out three in her two innings of work. In Oregon’s three-game winning streak, Nyhus has struck out 31 batters in 16 innings of work.
Richards was 3 for 4 with three RBIs to lead Oregon in the victory.
Vikings second baseman Erin Stokey was 2 for 3 with an RBI.
The Ducks return to Pac-10 play Friday when they face California. Oregon then plays Stanford on Saturday and Sunday before returning to Oregon.