No. 2 Ducks Sweep No. 4 Huskies

Sunday, April 29

Seattle, WA

1:00 PM

University of Oregon

41-7, 15-3

Washington

41-8, 12-8

Oregon

Washington

04/29/18 | Softball

Box Score SB Washington 3 Box 18

By: Joe Waltasti

SEATTLE – The No. 2 ranked Oregon softball team used a big third inning to defeat No. 4 Washington, 5-3, on Sunday afternoon to sweep the three-game series in Seattle.

The Ducks (41-7, 15-3 Pac-12) have swept the Huskies three times over the last five seasons, including twice at Husky Softball Stadium.

With the win, the Ducks are now tied for first place in the Pac-12 with No. 1 ranked UCLA. Both teams are 15-3 in league play. Oregon has a home series with Utah and road trip to California left this season while the Bruins still need to play Cal on the road and No. 9 Arizona State at home.

HOW IT HAPPENED: Washington took an early lead on a run in the second inning. With two outs on the board, the Huskies followed with a double with a RBI single as the Oregon throw home from center was just a bit late.

The Ducks took the lead after a big third inning. After Lauren Lindvall and Haley Cruse singled to start the third, Jenna Lilley laced a two-run double off the wall in right center to give the Ducks a 2-1 lead. Oregon was not done scoring, however, as DJ Sanders mashed a two-run homer to left to make it a 4-1 game. A passed ball later in the third allowed Gwen Svekis to score from third and Oregon plated five runs on four hits and an error in the frame.

Washington had a great chance to cut into the lead in the fifth. After a single and an out, the Huskies drew a walk and dropped down a bunt single to load the bases. That brought up UW slugger Kirstyn Thomas, but Megan Kleist got her to roll into a 4-6-3 double play to end the inning.

Just like the sixth inning, the Huskies made it interesting in the seventh. Taylor Van Zee started the inning with a double off the wall and came home to score on a Sis Bates single. But another 4-6-3 double play wiped away the runner at first and a ground out to short ended the game.

AT THE PLATE: The bottom of the lineup – No. 8 hitter Lindvall and No. 9 hitter Cruse – each had two hits to lead the Ducks. Both also scored a run. Sanders had her second home run of the series and is now tied with Svekis for the team-lead with 13 homers. Lilley's RBI double in the third extended her hitting streak to eight games.

IN THE CIRCLE: Kleist (17-5) started for the Ducks and gave up a season-high 10 hits but only allowed three runs. Miranda Elish entered the game after Washington's double in the seventh. Elish picked up the save with one hit allowed in the inning.

UP NEXT: The Ducks return to Eugene for the final home series of the regular season. Oregon hosts Utah for a three-game series starting Friday at The Jane. Senior day festivities will take place before Sunday's series finale.