Just 23 days ago, Oregon softball was dropped from the top 25 of all major polls for the first time since 2019.
Since then, these Ducks have gone 7-3 in conference play and have cemented themselves in second place.
A lot can change in a short time. At times, that’s not always a positive. No. 23 Oregon’s (20-11, 7-3 Pac-12) loss to No. 14 UCLA (19-8, 5-2 Pac-12) was an excellent example of that.
Both teams were knotted at three entering the bottom of the sixth. Just nine pitches later, Ramsey Suarez had singled home a pair of Bruins. The 5-3 advantage Suarez’s single gave UCLA would prove to be the difference in a back-and-forth affair on a chilly night in Westwood.
A pitchers duel seemed likely in Thursday’s game. With the reigning Pac-12 Freshman of the Week — Kailtyn Terry — and Pac-12 Pitcher of the Week — Morgan Scott — facing off in the circle for their respective squads.
Both teams were blanked through the first two frames. Oregon’s best chance came in the first as Alyssa Daniell laced a single to right with Kai Luschar already on first. The speedy Luschar ran through her first-base coaches stop sign and was gunned down at third, ending the early threat.
There’s a tremendous amount of hype regarding Terry, but was quickly quieted as the freshman allowed a pair of long balls — the first of which came off the bat of Paige Sinicki. Her first bomb of the season was a mammoth shot that cleared the scoreboard in left and opened the scoring in the third.
UCLA responded immediately. Janelle Meono lined a single to left bringing up Maya Brady, who unloaded on a 2-1 fastball to right-center field. The two-run shot gave UCLA a 2-1 lead.
The Bruins continued to add on as Jadelyn Allchin tripled to right-center and was brought in on a Sharlize Palacios sac-fly.
Terry — who entered the game with a 2.07 ERA, good for third in the conference — was taken yard by fellow freshman Katie Flannery in the fourth. The solo shot cut UCLA’s lead to one, while Scott threw a scoreless bottom of the inning in her last frame of work.
Taylour Spencer got the nod in relief of Scott and had another solid outing. The freshman mowed through the top of UCLA’s lineup and induced a plethora of silly-looking swings.
Emma Kauf stepped to the dish with a runner on and blasted a double to right-center field. Kauf has continuously stepped to the plate in clutch situations and delivered. Her two-bagger drove in pinch-runner Regan Legg and tied the score at three in the sixth.
Spencer allowed a leadoff single to Lauren Hatch and was relieved in favor of Elise Sokolsky, who immediately walked the ensuing batter on four pitches to bring up Thessa Malau’ulu. Her sacrifice bunt put the runners in scoring position for Suarez.
Suarez’s single was lined over the head of left fielder Ariel Carlson, whose throw was in time to gun Suarez out at second. The damage had been done however, UCLA took a 5-3 lead as Oregon went down in order in the seventh.
The loss breaks a five-game win streak for the Ducks — who went just 2-12 with runners on.
Game two of this weekend’s conference series is scheduled for a five p.m. first pitch Friday afternoon.
