Before many Oregon students left for sun-filled spring break destinations, the Oregon softball team held a record of 14-8.
Confined to the cozy comforts of Eugene during most of their time away from academics, head coach Brent Rincon’s squad ran a record of 4-3 during the break, which included two losses in Corvallis to Oregon State.
The seven-game stretch began March 23 with an Oregon sweep of a doubleheader against Colorado State, the Ducks winning the first game 5-2 and the second 4-0. In the second game, sophomore Anissa Meashintubby picked up the shutout, allowing only four hits on six strikeouts.
The next day, the Rams came back with a shutout of their own, defeating the Ducks 2-0. Oregon freshman Lindsey Kontra allowed only five hits in the game, but the Ducks’ offense could not capitalize on the many opportunities they had to provide run support.
The string of shutouts continued with two-straight Oregon wins over the Rebels of UNLV during Friday’s doubleheader. The Ducks won the first game 2-0 behind Meashintubby’s third shutout of the season.
In the second game, senior Connie McMurren stepped up with a pitching performance for the record books. In a 5-0 win, McMurren threw the first no-hitter of her career, striking out six and walking five. It was the 12th no-hitter in Oregon history and the first since Bethany Smith’s in 1997.
“We had tremendous pitching today and I think we’ve really turned the corner and are ready for Pac-10 play,” Rincon said after the doubleheader with UNLV. “These were great performances by both pitchers, and I’m very pleased with how we played today.”
Pacific-10 Conference play began for the Ducks on Friday when they traveled to Corvallis for a two-game weekend against the No. 14 Beavers. Oregon State blanked the Ducks in the Friday contest 2-0. The only two runs of the game were scored in the bottom of the first inning, with Meashintubby shutting down Oregon State after the shaky first frame. Only Alyssa Laux and Lakeesha Eversley could collect hits for Oregon.
The Saturday contest was another win for the strong Beaver team as they won in a tight 3-2 ballgame. The Ducks trailed 3-1 heading into the seventh and staged a rally but could only muster one run.
The season series with Oregon State continues today in a game that was rescheduled because of snow March 16. The game at Howe Field begins at 2 p.m.