The No. 16 Oregon softball narrowly missed its second consecutive Pacific-10 Conference series sweep before falling to No. 9 Arizona, 7-6, Sunday afternoon at Hillenbrand Stadium in Tucson, Ariz. @@http://www.goducks.com/downloads2/415702.htm?ATCLID=205145663&SPSID=4377&SPID=245&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=500@@
Oregon (36-14, 7-8 Pac-10) battled back from a 5-0 deficit early on after the Wildcats (36-11, 8-7) scored three runs in the first inning and two more in the second.
The Ducks put together a late surge in the fourth and fifth innings, but left six runners on base and hit into a double play in the top of the seventh to seal the Arizona victory. Senior Monique Fuiava hit her eighth home run of the season with a three-run shot in the fourth inning, which moved her into sixth place all-time on the Oregon career list. @@http://www.goducks.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=4377&SPID=245&DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=205145663&DB_OEM_ID=500@@
On Saturday, the Oregon offense erupted its way to a 12-6 victory against a trio of Wildcat pitchers. Despite trailing 2-1 after the first inning, the Ducks tacked on three runs in the top of the third, another in the fifth, five more in the sixth and two more in the seventh to outlast Arizona down the stretch. @@http://www.goducks.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=4374&SPID=245&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=500&ATCLID=205145040@@
Oregon set season highs in home runs (5) and hits (16), while its 12 runs were the most scored against Arizona this season.
Junior shortstop Kelsey Chambers went 4 for 4 at the plate and tied a season high in hits and home runs (2) to go along with a pair of doubles. Junior Christie Nieto, sophomore Kaylan Howard and freshman Alexa Peterson also recorded round trippers in the game.
Senior starter Brittany Rumfelt went 4 1/3 innings and struck out four, and walked two. Four of the five runs she surrendered were earned. Junior Sam Skillingstad pitched the final 2 2/3 to seal the Oregon victory. @@http://www.goducks.com/downloads2/415606.htm?ATCLID=205145040&SPSID=4374&SPID=245&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=500@@
In Friday’s opener, Moore struck out five and allowed just four hits in her seven complete innings of work to set the tone for a strong defense weekend.
With the scored tied a 0-0 going into the final inning, freshman Courtney Ceo and sophomore Kaylan Howard led off the seventh with a walk and hit by pitch. After sophomore Samantha Pappas reached base on a bunt single to load the bases, Fuiava walked to put the Ducks ahead 1-0 — her team-high ninth game-winning RBI of the season.
Kaitlin Vitek followed with a sacrifice fly in foul ground down the right field line to score Howard. Arizona freshman Shelby Babcock struck out five but walked nine in her seven innings of three-hit softball.
The Ducks return home this weekend when they face Stanford for a three-game series beginning Friday at 6 p.m. at Howe Field. The following weekend, Oregon welcomes the UCLA Bruins in the final weekend of Pac-10 play.