The cities change, the details vary.
The constant is the result this season for No. 4 Oregon (38-4, 12-1 Big Ten) thus far in conference play — a victory.
In a 6-5 win over the Minnesota Golden Gophers (14-25, 3-12 Big Ten), the Ducks performed just well enough — building, then almost blowing an early five-run lead before finally prevailing behind a scoreless seventh inning from Elise Sokolsky.
Oregon has now won 11-straight against conference opponents and yet again found a way to win on Sunday despite having just seven hits.
The Ducks once again struck first on Sunday. Kedre Luchar slapped a two–run homer in the third before Ayanna Shaw and Braiesey Rosa each tallied RBI singles in the fifth — but that big lead wouldn’t last.
The Golden Gophers deployed four pitchers that each did well enough to keep the game within striking distance for their squad. Finally, after mustering just one hit through the first five innings, Minnesota struck.
Lyndsey Grein was terrific for Oregon for most of Sunday’s win, tossing five efficient innings. She faced just one over the minimum before running into trouble in the fifth — during that frame, she was facing the Golden Gophers’ batters for roughly the seventh time in the series.
Two singles followed by a hit batter loaded the bases for Minnesota before Nani Valencia hit a grand slam. Suddenly, a five-run lead was reduced to just one and Oregon would have to tap into some of its late-game heroics fans have grown accustomed to of late.
Luckily, Sokolsky was up for the challenge, facing the minimum and striking out three to clinch the win.
Sokolsky and Grein both did their parts for most of the game and the series — each of their season ERA’s now rest at a sterling 2.56 and 1.74, respectively.
Luschar also smacked her fourth homer of the year, building upon her breakout season as the everyday left-fielder.
Oregon’s fourth sweep of conference play also helps the Ducks’ chances of hosting a regional — something that hasn’t been done in Eugene since 2018, and frankly, should be the expectation at this point in the season.
Emma Cox made her first start behind the dish since returning from injury, going 1-3 with a double and a walk in the four-spot in the lineup.
Oregon’s biggest test of conference play still awaits, though. The Ducks travel to Corvallis for a game on Wednesday, before hosting No. 8 UCLA at Jane Sanders Stadium in a series starting Friday.
