Ducks Win Pac-12 Championship

Saturday, May 12

Berkeley, CA

12:00 PM

University of Oregon

47-7, 0

California

34-19, 0

Oregon

California

Group photo Pac-12 championship at Cal 2018

Photo by: Peter Fukumae

05/12/18 | Softball

Box Score SB Cal 3 Box 18 SB Regular Season Stats 18

By: Joe Waltasti

BERKELEY, Calif. – For the fifth time in six seasons, the Oregon softball team is Pac-12 champions.

The No. 2 ranked Ducks defeated No. 24 Cal, 2-0, on Saturday to sweep the series from the Bears and secure an outright league title.

"This is a great achievement for our club because the Pac-12 is as tough as it's ever been," said head coach Mike White. "I'm really proud of them. This team really loves each other, they're a very close group and a very fun group to be around."

The Ducks (47-7, 21-3 Pac-12) won the Pac-12 championship in 2018 after also winning the league title in 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016. The Ducks finished a half-game out of first in 2017.

"It's pretty awesome and it's just as special each time," said senior Jenna Lilley. "It's fun to be a part of."

Oregon entered the weekend series against Cal in a first-place tie with No. 1 ranked UCLA. The Bruins dropped their series opener against Arizona State, allowing the Ducks to jump a game ahead and secure the outright title with a sweep of the Golden Bears.

"This is my first (championship)," sophomore Maggie Balint said. "Last year we were so close, it's awesome."

HOW IT HAPPENED: After three scoreless frames to start the game, the Ducks took a 2-0 lead in the fourth.

Svekis walked with one out and a batter later, sophomore Shannon Rhodes singled to left to put runners at first and second. After a groundout, sophomore Mia Camuso lifted a two-out single to center to score both Svekis and Rhodes.

Cal managed to get a baserunner to second just once in the game and tallied only three hits. Oregon's two runs in the fourth were more than enough for its dominating pitching performance.

IN THE CIRCLE: Balint started and combined with fellow sophomore Miranda Elish for the shutout. Balint tossed three one-hit innings with one walk and four strikeouts. Elish (20-1) earned the win after giving up just two hits in four innings with one walk and four strikeouts. Balint lowered her ERA to a 1.90 entering the postseason while Elish now has a 1.01.

AT THE PLATE: Camuso drove in the only runs of the game on her fourth-inning single. Rhodes had a team-high two hits while three other players singled in addition to Camuso. Jenna Lilley ends the regular season with a team-best 58 hits while Svekis' 16 home runs and 53 RBIs are both team-highs.

PAC-12 AWARDS: The conference will release its all-Pac-12 awards and teams at 5 PM today.

SELECTION SHOW: The Ducks find out their seed in the NCAA Tournament during the selection show on ESPN2 at 7 PM on Sunday.

"I think this team is very aware that it's not done yet," said senior Lauren Lindvall. "We'll enjoy this one and keep going when we get back to Eugene."

UP NEXT: After the Ducks learn their seed tomorrow during the NCAA selection show, the schedule for NCAA regionals will be announced. Tickets for the Eugene regional will go on sale on Sunday night after the selection show.