Jayhawks Top Ducks, 6-1

Friday, February 15

Las Vegas, Nev.

12 p.m.

University of Oregon

3-4

Kansas

6-1

Kansas

Oregon

02/15/08 | Softball

Box Score

By: GoDucks.com

* NOTE: A final boxscore and play-by-play is available in the LINKS box to the right.

LAS VEGAS ? Freshman Ashley Kivett became the third different Duck this season to hit a homer Friday, while the University of Oregon softball team finished the day 1-1 after it dropped its afternoon game vs. Kansas, 6-1.

The Yucapia, Calif., native hit a solo home run in the second inning to draw the Ducks within, 2-1, after KU had scored once in the first and second innings. However, the Jayhawks added single runs the fifth and sixth innings, and two more in the seventh and raised their overall record to 6-1 this year.

At the plate, Oregon (3-4) came up with three hits from redshirt senior right fielder Kayleen Hudson (1-3), sophomore centerfielder Neena Bryant (1-3) and Kivett (1-3). Kivett's hit was her third extra-base hit (along with two doubles last weekend) in 12 at-bats this year.

Senior right-hander Alicia Cook pitched 4 1/3 innings and gave up two earned runs, six hits, struck out a season-high seven batters and walked none for the second time this season.

In the fifth inning, junior right-hander Melissa Rice came in with a runner on second base and one run already allowed that inning. She walked her first batter and allowed a single to load the bases, but then coaxed a foul out and a strikeout to end the inning without allowing any more runs. The Colville, Wash., native allowed her first home run of the season two innings later in the top of the seventh to left fielder Betsy Wilson, a two-run shot over the right center field wall.

Rice pitched 2 2/3 innings altogether, and allowed five hits, two earned runs, struck out one and walked two.

KU starting pitcher Sarah Vertelka allowed only three hits, struck out six and walked three, and her only allowed run was earned. Kansas third hitter Val Chapple went 2-4 with an RBI, and Wilson went 2-3 with 2 RBI in the eighth slot.

Earlier Friday morning, the Ducks won their second game via the abbreviated inning, run rule with their 13-2 dubbing of Northwestern State. Seniors Lovena Chaput and Joanna Gail both hit their first home runs of the season and had multiple hits, as well as Jenkins (3-4, 1 RBI, 2 runs) and Cortney Kivett (2-4, 1 run). On the mound, freshman left-hander Brittany Rumfelt pitched the five-inning complete game and struck out five and walked only one, and both of the Demons' runs were earned.

Looking ahead, UO returns for the second day of the three-day tourney Saturday, February 16, and faces Bradley at 2 p.m., and South Carolina at 5:30 p.m., the latter of which met Oregon in last year's season finale in the NCAA Regional final. In Sunday's tourney clincher, UO plays San Jose State at 1:30 p.m.

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