Saturday, March 17
Eugene, OR
7:00 PM
University of Oregon
24-5, 0
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5
UCLA
25-1, 0
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7
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UCLA
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Oregon
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1
Ducks Even Series, Give No. 3 UCLA First Loss
03/17/18 | Softball
The No. 6 Ducks handed No. 3 UCLA its first loss of the season and pulled even in the three-game series on Saturday night with a 7-5 win at Jane Sanders Stadium
Eugene, Ore. – The No. 6 ranked Oregon softball team used a strong offensive performance and solid pitching from Miranda Elish on Saturday night to hand No. 3 UCLA its first loss of the season and pull even in the three-game series at Jane Sanders Stadium.
The Ducks (24-5, 1-1) bounced back from Friday's loss and evened the series with the Bruins (25-1, 1-1) while knocking off the NCAA's last unbeaten team. Oregon will look to take the series in the rubber match on Sunday (2 p.m., Pac-12 Network).
How it Happened: After struggling offensively on Friday, the Ducks jumped on the Bruins right off the bat in game two of the series. Jenna Lilley kicked things off with a single and was replaced on a fielder's choice by Alexis Mack, who stole second base. The Ducks took the lead on an RBI single by Gwen Svekis, and an RBI fielder's choice by Mia Camuso made it 2-0.
DJ Sanders kept the Ducks' momentum going with a bunt single to third base to start the second. After a hit-by-pitch and back-to-back walks, Camuso walked with the bases loaded to bring home Sanders and put the Ducks up 3-0.
Oregon continued to propel itself towards a win with a pair of runs in both the fourth and fifth innings, along with impressive fielding and five straight shutout innings from Elish (11-0). Camuso recorded her third RBI of the game after being hit with the bases loaded in the fourth, and a second run scored on a wild pitch. In the fifth, Mary Iakopo singled in a pair of runs after Sanders and Lilley started the inning with a double and a walk, respectively.
After being held scoreless through five by Elish, the Bruins were able to get on the board with a two-run home run in the sixth. UCLA began to mount a comeback in the seventh with a three-run home run with two outs, but the Ducks' defense retired the side to complete the win and even the series.
At the Plate: Svekis led the Ducks with three hits and an RBI. Camuso finished with three RBIs and a walk, Sanders and Cruse both went 2-for-4 and Iakopo finished 1-for-2 with two RBIs and two runs scored.
What it Means: After Pac-12 rival Washington lost earlier in the day, the Ducks' win over UCLA means there are no undefeated teams in the nation. Oregon will now look to hand UCLA its first series loss of the season on Sunday.
Quotable: Mike White, Head Coach
On the team's performance tonight...
"I think we had a little but more patience at the plate, but we also gave away some opportunities that really kind of tore the game open, especially early on. I don't know how many times we left runners on base, we have to find a way to drive those runs in if we can. But overall great performance tonight."
On how important this win was after last night...
"Huge. Right now we're back in the series, and I think [UCLA] is the number one team in the country right there, without a doubt. So, to pick up a win against their quality team, I'm very happy about that."
Miranda Elish, Sophomore, Pitcher
On her performance...
"It felt great. I mean, my team gave me seven runs and then I can give up five runs with some cushion. My team played freaking awesome behind me, and it was a real team effort today."
On the last inning...
"It was really intense. I really had to calm it down and make quality pitches and trust my team and we got it done. I knew we were going to get out of it one way or another."
Up Next: The Ducks and the Bruins will face off in game three of the series at 2 p.m. PT on Sunday (Pac-12 Network).
The Ducks (24-5, 1-1) bounced back from Friday's loss and evened the series with the Bruins (25-1, 1-1) while knocking off the NCAA's last unbeaten team. Oregon will look to take the series in the rubber match on Sunday (2 p.m., Pac-12 Network).
How it Happened: After struggling offensively on Friday, the Ducks jumped on the Bruins right off the bat in game two of the series. Jenna Lilley kicked things off with a single and was replaced on a fielder's choice by Alexis Mack, who stole second base. The Ducks took the lead on an RBI single by Gwen Svekis, and an RBI fielder's choice by Mia Camuso made it 2-0.
DJ Sanders kept the Ducks' momentum going with a bunt single to third base to start the second. After a hit-by-pitch and back-to-back walks, Camuso walked with the bases loaded to bring home Sanders and put the Ducks up 3-0.
Oregon continued to propel itself towards a win with a pair of runs in both the fourth and fifth innings, along with impressive fielding and five straight shutout innings from Elish (11-0). Camuso recorded her third RBI of the game after being hit with the bases loaded in the fourth, and a second run scored on a wild pitch. In the fifth, Mary Iakopo singled in a pair of runs after Sanders and Lilley started the inning with a double and a walk, respectively.
After being held scoreless through five by Elish, the Bruins were able to get on the board with a two-run home run in the sixth. UCLA began to mount a comeback in the seventh with a three-run home run with two outs, but the Ducks' defense retired the side to complete the win and even the series.
In the Circle: Elish pitched her 10th complete game of the season and remained undefeated in her collegiate career at 23-0. The sophomore struck out nine and allowed five runs on seven hits with four walks.HIGHLIGHTS | Take a look at some of the Ducks' best moments from their 7-5 win over UCLA tonight! #GoDucks pic.twitter.com/W0HfgJaV16
— Oregon Softball (@OregonSB) March 18, 2018
At the Plate: Svekis led the Ducks with three hits and an RBI. Camuso finished with three RBIs and a walk, Sanders and Cruse both went 2-for-4 and Iakopo finished 1-for-2 with two RBIs and two runs scored.
What it Means: After Pac-12 rival Washington lost earlier in the day, the Ducks' win over UCLA means there are no undefeated teams in the nation. Oregon will now look to hand UCLA its first series loss of the season on Sunday.
Quotable: Mike White, Head Coach
On the team's performance tonight...
"I think we had a little but more patience at the plate, but we also gave away some opportunities that really kind of tore the game open, especially early on. I don't know how many times we left runners on base, we have to find a way to drive those runs in if we can. But overall great performance tonight."
On how important this win was after last night...
"Huge. Right now we're back in the series, and I think [UCLA] is the number one team in the country right there, without a doubt. So, to pick up a win against their quality team, I'm very happy about that."
Miranda Elish, Sophomore, Pitcher
On her performance...
"It felt great. I mean, my team gave me seven runs and then I can give up five runs with some cushion. My team played freaking awesome behind me, and it was a real team effort today."
On the last inning...
"It was really intense. I really had to calm it down and make quality pitches and trust my team and we got it done. I knew we were going to get out of it one way or another."
Up Next: The Ducks and the Bruins will face off in game three of the series at 2 p.m. PT on Sunday (Pac-12 Network).
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Elish, Miranda (11-0)
L: Ta'amilo, Selina (4-1)
Batting:
2B: Jordan, Aaliyah 1
HR: Jordan, Aaliyah 1 ; Garcia, Rachel 1
RBI: Jordan, Aaliyah 3 ; Garcia, Rachel 2
SH: Nickles, Bubba 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Perez, Kylee 1 ; Jordan, Aaliyah 2 ; Garcia, Rachel 1 ; Washington, Kinsley 1
HBP: Perez, Kylee 1
Batting:
2B: Sanders, DJ 1
RBI: Iakopo, Mary 2 ; Svekis, Gwen 1 ; Camuso, Mia 3
SH: Mack, Alexis 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Lilley, Jenna 1 ; Mack, Alexis 2 ; Iakopo, Mary 2 ; Sanders, DJ 2
SB: Mack, Alexis 1 ; Camuso, Mia 1
HBP: Lilley, Jenna 2 ; Camuso, Mia 1
Game Leaders
Hitting
AB
4
R
0
H
3
RBI
1
AB
4
R
0
H
2
RBI
0
AB
4
R
2
H
2
RBI
0
AB
1
R
1
H
1
RBI
0
Players Mentioned
IF
/ Softball
RHP
/ Softball
C
/ SoftballIF
/ Softball
OF
/ SoftballIF
/ SoftballC
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