University of Oregon
4-0
Missouri
2-1
Ducks Use Huge Second Inning to Run-Rule Missouri
02/10/18 | Softball
The No. 3 Ducks erupted for 14 runs on 14 hits with four home runs, including three in a nine-run second inning, to run-rule Missouri, 14-2, in five innings
In their first four games of the 2018 season, the Ducks (4-0) have mashed 12 homers while scoring 45 runs, including 29 in the last two games. Oregon now has three straight run-rule victories, and will continue with the Kajikawa Classic Saturday night against UTEP (6:45 p.m. PT).
How it Happened: Oregon jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first inning on an RBI single to left field by Shannon Rhodes to score Alexis Mack, who singled and moved up on a sacrifice bunt to lead things off.
The Ducks exploded in the second inning to take command of the game, scoring nine runs, all with two outs, on seven hits. After a Missouri error opened the inning, a bunt single by Mack loaded the bases with two outs, and senior Jenna Lilley promptly unloaded them with a grand slam to right field to make it 5-0, Oregon.
Fellow senior Gwen Svekis made it 7-0 two batters later as she continued her tear to open the season, crushing a two-run home run over the scoreboard in left field for her fourth home run in as many games.
Senior shortstop DJ Sanders got in on the second-inning fun with a three-run home run to extend Oregon's lead to 10-0, giving her three home runs in the last two games after a two-homer performance against CSUN on Friday.
A two-run home run by Missouri (2-1) put the Tigers on the board in the top of the fourth inning and cut Oregon's lead to 10-2.
The Ducks tacked on four more runs in the bottom of the fourth to put the exclamation point on the victory. Freshman Mary Iakopo drove in a run with an RBI single to left, and a Missouri error allowed a second run to score on the play. Senior Lauren Lindvall finished off the scoring with a two-run home run to left field, giving all four of UO's seniors home runs in the game and all nine Oregon starters at least one hit.
At the Plate: The Ducks were carried by their four seniors. Lilley went 2-for-3 with the grand slam and a double while leading the team with four RBIs, Sanders drove in three, and Svekis and Lindvall each plated a pair. Rhodes, who homered in UO's first three games, was unable to match Svekis' streak of four home runs in the first four games, but the sophomore led UO with three hits and drove in a run. Iakopo was 1-for-2 with an RBI.Ducks improve to 4-0 with their third straight run-rule win. In first four games, Oregon has mashed 12 homers and scored 45 runs, including 29 in the last two games #GoDucks pic.twitter.com/2yDHuGGQck
— Oregon Softball (@OregonSB) February 10, 2018
In the Circle: Junior Megan Kleist (2-0) earned her second win of the weekend after holding Missouri to two runs on five hits with three strikeouts over five innings.
Up Next: The Ducks will conclude day three of the Kajikawa Classic at 6:45 p.m. PT Saturday against UTEP at the Tempe Sports Complex.
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Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Kleist, Megan (2-0)
L: Daniel (1-1)
Batting:
HR: Edwards 1
RBI: Edwards 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Kessinger 1 ; Edwards 1
Batting:
2B: Lilley, Jenna 1
HR: Lilley, Jenna 1 ; Svekis, Gwen 1 ; Sanders, DJ 1 ; Lindvall, Lauren 1
RBI: Lilley, Jenna 4 ; Rhodes, Shannon 1 ; Svekis, Gwen 2 ; Iakopo, Mary 1 ; Sanders, DJ 3 ; Lindvall, Lauren 2
SH: Lilley, Jenna 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Mack, Alexis 2 ; Lilley, Jenna 1 ; Rhodes, Shannon 1 ; Svekis, Gwen 1 ; Burks, Cherish 1 ; Camuso, Mia 2 ; Iakopo, Mary 1 ; Burke, Lauren 2 ; Sanders, DJ 1 ; Lindvall, Lauren 1 ; Bowden, Shaye 1
SB: Rhodes, Shannon 1
