The No. 24 Oregon Ducks (20-13, Pac-12) fell 8-3 to the No. 9 Washington Huskies (26-5, Pac-12) on Friday night. Washington broke the game wide open in a third inning in which it scored six runs. Oregon was never able to recover from that deficit in the loss.
Morgan Scott started the game in the circle for the Ducks and did not give the Huskies any chance to take an early lead. Scott pitched two hitless innings to open the game while only walking one batter.
On the offensive side, Oregon was unable to capitalize on the great defense. The Ducks had a pair of batters walk and Alyssa Daniell hit a double, however, it only resulted in three batters left on base through the first two innings.
That defensive stalemate would not last long. Washington’s Sydney Stewart hit a home run to lead off the third inning to open the game’s scoring. However, that was just the beginning for the Huskies. A walk, then a double put two runners on the bases for Washington. Two straight singles scored two runs, then the Huskies’ Olivia Johnson hit a three-run homer to give Washington a 6-0 lead. Oregon was mercifully able to end the inning shortly after.
“I just think, one, we gotta be able to keep the ball in the yard,” head coach Melyssa Lombardi said. “It was a little tough today. That’s all I’m gonna say, it was a little tough today.”
The Ducks were able to muster a response in the bottom of the fourth inning. KK Humphreys hit a single and Washington’s Ruby Meylan walked three batters to walk in a run for Oregon, putting the first points on the board. With the bases still loaded, Hanna Delgado singled into right field to bring in two more runs. The Ducks were unable to cut the lead any further, but their deficit was a much more manageable 6-3 heading into the fifth inning.
“We got a couple runners and from there we were able to clutch up,” Lombardi said. “I think we were just patient that inning and not chasing is what I would say is the difference.”
The Huskies would not let those runs go unanswered for long. Rylee Holtorf singled to begin the fifth inning before advancing to second on a sacrifice bunt. She was able to get home on a single from Johnson to bring the score up to 7-3 after the top of the fifth.
Oregon was unable to build on its momentum and allowed Washington’s Sidne Peters to record two straight 1-2-3 innings to bring the game to its final frame. The Huskies would tack on another run to their lead off of a solo shot from Holtorf to make the score 8-3 before the Ducks would have one final chance to respond.
That rally would never come. Despite starting the inning with a single and a walk to put two runners on base, Peters recorded three straight outs to put Oregon away for good. The Huskies won 8-3 to take the first game of the series.
Scott recorded the loss in the game. She ended her night after pitching 3.0 innings and allowing six runs and six hits. On offense, Kai Luschar was the only Duck with two hits in the game, but she was unable to make it home in the contest. The Oregon offense was massively outgunned, as Washington had a 12-5 hit advantage in the game.
“I don’t think we played our best game tonight,” Lombardi said. “We’re playing a good team and when we have opportunities to clutch up at the plate, gotta be able to do that. Gotta be able to have shut down innings.”
The Ducks will face the Huskies again on Saturday, Apr. 6 at 6:00 p.m. for the second game of the series.
