It wasn’t exactly the game plan No. 8 Oregon (29-3, 2-1 Big Ten) had in mind before its 4-3 loss to Washington (20-9, 1-2 Big Ten).
An early deficit. A starter who retired two batters. Two freshmen tasked with the biggest at-bats of the game.
And when it mattered most Sunday night, in the Ducks’ bid to continue a remarkable start to the season, they didn’t get it done.
With a runner on second and two outs, Rylee McCoy (1-4) grounded out to end the game.
UW’s early offensive output came on an RBI single from Sophi Mazzola and a homer from Jade Bubke. Lyndsey Grein kept the Ducks in the game by holding the Huskies to three runs despite recording just four strikeouts and throwing the team’s most innings in the series.
With that, it looked like the Ducks might reprise the role of spoiler in a potential comeback against UW.
First, Stefini Ma’ake delivered a massive three-run game-tying double with two down in the sixth.
Entering Sunday, Ma’ake was hitless in her last six games. During that time, the Ducks’ offense started to slump, especially in the second game of doubleheaders.
However, with a thunderous swing and deep fly ball to center, the freshman tied up the game at a pivotal moment.
Oregon’s outburst wouldn’t last long.
Washington avoided any further trouble and soon capitalized, asC harity Sevaaetasi drove in a run on a single down the left field line.
A lack of timely hitting throughout wasn’t the Ducks’ sole reason for losing on Sunday.
Starting pitcher Taylour Spencer retired just two of six batters she faced and walked three. They also managed little against Huskies’ starter Sophia Ramuno, being held scoreless through her 2.1 innings of work.
The struggles continued as the Ducks stranded runners in the third, fourth and fifth innings.
But they were highlighted in the biggest moments, as Braiesey Rosa struck out with the go-ahead run on second in the sixth and Flannery grounded out with two runners on to end the game.
But the late heroics wouldn’t come again for Oregon, which left the Ducks with a bittersweet rivalry series win.
It’s just a minor blip on the Ducks’ resume, but still a reminder altogether of a challenging conference with no easy games on its docket.
The Ducks will take on the Seattle University Redhawks Monday at 3 p.m.
