If you think what the men’s basketball team did in the Pac-10 Conference tournament was a beatdown, then you obviously didn’t see what the softball team did in last weekend’s Cascade Clash. Now that was a beatdown.
The Ducks (30-3) swept all six games, winning by scores of 8-0, 8-0, 9-0, 8-0, 6-0 and 10-1 in a trifecta of doubleheaders versus Utah State, Towson University and South Dakota State.
The two unquestioned leaders of Oregon’s offensive attack were shortstop Jen Salling and designated player Ann Marie Topps. The pair combined to go 17 for 31 with four doubles, three triples, four home runs and 22 runs driven in. One of Topps’ three home runs was a walk-off shot to end game one of the Towson double dip.
To hear head coach Kathy Arendsen tell it, the weekend went perfectly.
“I think we’re playing great defense. I think our pitching was extraordinary, I wish we could’ve said we had all shutouts, (it) happens. But, I thought our hitting was outstanding: Ann Marie, Jen Salling, the speed. When our speed game gets going, we’re tough,” Arendsen said.
That speed helped the Ducks spend the weekend burning up the basepaths with 21 swipes against only twice being caught. Leadoff hitter Suzie Barnes and second hitter Sari-Jane Jenkins were the first ladies of larceny, each stealing five bags.
Oregon also dominated on the mound, with pitchers Melissa Rice and ace Alicia Cook going six for six in the win column, including Cook’s one-hitter in the second game against Utah State, and allowing just 15 hits over 33 innings pitched while racking up 21 strikeouts in the process. With the victories, Rice and Cook lowered their already stingy earned run averages to .71 and .81, respectively. Rice added three shutouts to her résumé and Cook picked up a pair.
From here, the Ducks welcome Idaho State and Utah Valley State for a pair of doubleheaders on Saturday and Sunday, respectively. Then, after a quick trip up north for two games with Portland State, Oregon will begin conference play with Cal on March 30 and Stanford on March 31 and April 1.
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