Cook Shuts Out Northridge, 2-0

Sunday, February 10

Palm Springs, Calif.

11:30 a.m.

University of Oregon

2-3

Cal State Northridge

1-4

Oregon

Cal State Northridge

Photo by: GoDucks.com

02/10/08 | Softball

Box Score

By: GoDucks.com

*Note: A final boxscore and play-by-play (PDF format) are available in the LINKS box to the right.

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. ? Senior Alicia Cook boosted the No. 20 University of Oregon softball team with a 2-0 shutout vs. Cal State Northridge in the Cathedral City Kickoff tournament finale held near Palm Springs Sunday afternoon at the Big League Dreams Ballpark.

The Elmira, Ore., native (1-2) forced the Matadors to leave 10 runners on base in the gutty effort, including three in the seventh inning when she escaped out of a bases loaded situation with two outs and struck out clean-up hitter Krystal Raphael.

“I had to rely on a lot of heart and do my best for the team,” Cook said. “The last inning, I didn't want them to score so I gave it my all. It's at those points I really realize how much I love the game, and that's what I'm there for. If I get a groundout I know my teammates will be there to back me up and get the out, just like they had earlier in the game."

Cook allowed five hits in her 16th career shutout, and still ranks fourth all-time for UO behind former greats Kaie Wiese (31), Rachelle Taylor (22) and Suan Voeller (21).

Cal State Northridge (1-3) also left two runners on in the first, third and fifth innings, and had only one out in those first two instances before Cook forced back-to-back outs. CSN also stranded a base runner on second base with only out in the second inning.

"(Being in such a tight game) is a good way to start the season of and gives me confidence, although I still have some room to get stronger," Cook said. "I haven't pitched three games in a weekend in eight months, so that part will get easier.”

The Ducks went up 1-0 in the first inning when junior left fielder Sari-Jane Jenkins scored from second base on a single up the middle by redshirt senior right fielder Kayleen Hudson.

Neither teams scored again till the sixth inning when UO sophomore center fielder Neena Bryant added an insurance run with a homer deep over the left field wall - her first of the year and 11th of her career.

“Alicia showed a lot of guts and threw very, very well,” Oregon head coach Kathy Arendsen said. “I was really proud of her effort ? she had great focus and concentration and did everything a senior pitcher is supposed to. At the plate, Neena had a great day and stepped up and really lifted our team. Among others, Ashley (Kivett) played exceptionally well for her first tournament, called a great game (at catcher) and took charge and directed our defense like a veteran.”

At the plate, Bryant led the Ducks in hits with her 2-3 afternoon, and was one of three Duck batters with Jenkins and Hudson that garnered hits off of Mercedes Lovato. The Matador starter pitched a complete game and gave up only one earned run in her seven innings, struck out nine and walked two.

The Matadors' top hitters Sunday were shortstop Tracy Allen (2-4), second baseman Micah Putnam (1-3) and catcher Amanda Peek (1-2, 2 walks).

Oregon finished its season-opening tourney with a 2-3 mark, with its other win a 14-4 decision Saturday morning vs. returning NCAA qualifier Cal Poly. In other games this weekend, UO fell to returning NCAA runner-up Tennessee, 5-0, Saturday, another NCAA veteran from '07 Mississippi State, 3-0 Friday, and to Colorado State, 3-2, in a hard-fought season opener Friday morning.

Looking ahead, the Ducks head to a different desert locale next week - Las Vegas - for the Louisville Slugger Classic, and will face Northwestern State and Kansas, Friday, February 15 at 9 a.m. and 12 p.m., respectively. The Ducks then face Bradley and South Carolina, Saturday, February 16 at 3 and 5:30 p.m., respectively, and wrap up the tournament Sunday vs. San Jose State, Sunday, February 17 at 1:30 p.m. UO faced South Carolina last year in the NCAA regional championship game, and the Ducks held a 1-2 mark against the Gamecocks on their home field in Columbia, S.C.

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