Maybe it wasn’t the storyline everyone expected, but it was still a storyline nonetheless. A college softball season is numerous chances for a player or a team to do something special. Whether it’s two pitchers hitting the 300-career strikeout mark on the same day, or a random Sunday game that didn’t feature either of them. 

It was the general consensus that No.14 Oregon softball (20-1) would dominate from start to finish in its 9-1 win over Loyola Chicago (3-15). After all, Loyola Chicago had just lost by eight to a San Diego team the Ducks had beaten twice in days prior. 

Instead, the Ramblers — who were playing in their fifth game in three days half a continent away from home — looked to give the Ducks a real challenge, and did so for at least half the game. Leading by one three innings into the game and holding Oregon to just one baserunner, Loyola Chicago fought valiantly. 

But ultimately, the Ducks put the ball in play and forced the Ramblers to make plays — something that a team with 31 errors in 17 games wasn’t able to do.  

Keyed by a Katie Flannery grounder to third that turned into a three-run error, the Ducks scored three runs in the fourth inning. The onslaught continued after with three runs coming in the fourth and six in the fifth. Oregon’s powerful offense ended up run-ruling a team that had them on small upset watch just innings prior. 

“We know we can put away a team in five,” Taylour Spencer said. 

As lackluster as Oregon’s offense was for the first half of Sunday’s game, Spencer was fantastic throughout in the circle. She fired five innings of one-run ball in relief — freshman Rowan Thompson started the game for the Ducks, walking both batters she faced and throwing just one strike.

Spencer’s one blemish on the day came in the second when Ramblers’ shortstop Alli Pawlowicz, left the yard. Other than that, she was spectacular, firing 38 of her 63 pitches for strikes. Her season ERA now rests at 0.72. 

“I was mad at the time but I told myself when she came up next time I was gonna strike her out and I did,” Spencer said.

“I know my best can beat anyone,” Spencer added. “Just going after batters, knowing that I don’t have to pitch around batters and that if I hit a spot and spin it I can get a swing and miss.”

Kai Luschar was 3-4 with a stolen base in the leadoff spot. Stefani Ma’ake tallied a pair of hits of her own and scored a run. 

“The speed on our team is like none other,” Ma’ake said. “Coming in I was like ‘if I can’t have speed, I need to at least hit the ball hard.’”

Still, for a good portion of Sunday’s affair, the Ramblers looked like they might reprise the role of a legitimate upset candidate. But eventually, Loyola Chicago started to crack and the Ducks’ offense clicked into gear. A pair of homers from Dez Patmon and Kedre Luschar (2-3, one stolen base and three RBI’s) put the game way out of reach. 

“Kedre had one of the best weekends I’ve seen a player have,” associate head coach Sam Marder said. “I know she was the MVP of our tournament for sure.” 

It wasn’t a particularly inspiring complete-game performance from the Ducks, who picked up their 15th win in a row. Still, some forgiveness may be in order for a team that finished the game with 11 hits and nine runs on the day once the dam finally broke. 

“We were just chipping away, chipping away,” Marder said. “Second, third time through the order I felt like we were in a good spot.” 

“I thought we did a great job this weekend, especially without our head coach,” Marder said. “We are at our best with her… but it was good overall,” 

Oregon stays home next weekend to host a Jane Sanders Classic slate that includes Oregon State and Florida State.