The Oregon softball team wrapped up play at Howe Field for the season and sent its four seniors out with a 4-0 win over Portland State on Tuesday.
It was a combination of old and new Duck pitchers that lead to the shutout of the Vikings. Senior Lindsey Kontra and freshman Alicia Cook combined to hold Portland State to five hits.
“It took a while, but the bats got going and Alicia Cook settled down, and overall it was a very good performance,” Oregon head coach Kathy Arendsen said. “Portland State is a very good team and we have great respect for them. We’re happy to leave Howe with this feel.”
The Ducks (30-19 overall) didn’t take long to get on the board against the Vikings (17-28). Lovena Chaput singled up the middle to start the game, and Breanne Sabol layed down a sacrifice bunt to move Chaput to second.
The Vikings made a costly mistake with Beth Boskovich’s bouncer to third as Portland State’s Lauren McCarthy tried to throw out Chaput running back to second, but Chaput was running full speed to third and made it without a throw.
After Boskovich stole a base, putting runners on second and third, senior Ashley Richards grounded out to the shortstop and scored
Chaput from third to give the Ducks a 1-0 lead.
“That’s how I wanted to go out,” Richards said of the RBI. “There is no better way to go out, besides a grand slam.”
Kontra held the lead for the Ducks, but after a one-out single up the middle by McCarthy in the fourth inning, Arendsen lifted Kontra and inserted Cook. Kontra scattered three hits on the day.
“She gave us her best and that is all we ever ask,” Arendsen said. “She didn’t have her best stuff today, but Cook came in and settled down and did a great job.”
The left-hander Kontra wishes her last game at Howe could’ve been better.
“I wish I could’ve gone longer, but I will do whatever it takes to get the win,” she said.
Cook struggled with the first two hitters, giving up two singles to load the bases.
But the Elmira native stayed composed and retired the next two hitters to escape any damage.
Oregon struck again in the bottom of the fourth inning with RBI hits from Ann Marie Topps, Kayleen Hudson and Suzie Barnes to give the Ducks a 4-0 lead.
That was more than enough for Cook, who retired the next 11 Vikings in order — seven via the strikeout.
Harris named Pac-10
Pitcher of the Week
Oregon’s Amy Harris was selected as the Pac-10 Pitcher of the Week after throwing 28 innings without giving up an earned run over the weekend and amassing 28 strikeouts while beating No. 2 Arizona and Arizona State. She also threw 14 innings Saturday in the Ducks’ 17-inning loss to Arizona State.

[email protected]