University of Oregon
10-7
San Diego
4-10
Arendsen Winningest UO Coach, Ducks Down San Diego, 2-0
02/29/08 | Softball
SAN DIEGO ? After a playing career as one of the most dominant pitchers of all time, it's only fitting that Kathy Arendsen's record coaching victory came courtesy of a pitcher's duel.
Arendsen's Oregon Ducks (10-7) opened this week's action in southern California with a 2-0 win over host San Diego (4-10) - on the back of right-hander Melissa Rice ? giving the sixth-year skipper her 193rd win at UO, good for first on the school's all-time coaching ledger.
Rice (2-3) was nearly flawless in her first shutout of the season, tossing a three-hitter while allowing nary a walk. She struck out five and retired 15 in a row during one stretch before a harmless two-out single careened off her glove in the bottom of the seventh.
Her opponent in the circle, righty Jennifer Ellenbeck (1-5), was also impressive, striking out 10 Ducks while allowing a single earned run on five hits and three walks.
But despite a lack of offensive prowess, Oregon got the job done with timely hitting to go with its stellar pitching and defense.
The Ducks jumped out in front 1-0 in the top of the third by playing small ball. With two outs, leadoff hitter Sari-Jane Jenkins drew a walk, stole second and scored thanks to a bunt single by Cortney Kivett combined with a USD throwing error on Ellenbeck.
Oregon gave itself just enough cushion in the top of the seventh when pinch-hitter Ashley Kivett doubled home Kayleen Hudson.
After UO went down 1-2-3 in the top of the first, the Toreros seemed primed for first blood. But Rice worked around a leadoff triple by Carey Casciola, sandwiching a pair of strikeouts around a tough-hop groundout handled by third baseman Joanna Gail to end the threat.
After a two-out base knock in the bottom of the second, Rice went unscathed the rest of the way before her counterpart Ellenbeck shot a one-hopper that deflected off leather and trickled behind shortstop Lovena Chaput. Gail followed with a quick scoop and throw of a Celeste Soto grounder to end the game.
Arendsen is now 193-120 (.617) in five-plus seasons, breaking the previous win mark held by Tami Brown (192-172, .527).
The Ducks resume play on Friday, when they begin the San Diego Classic against Fresno State at 9 a.m. UO concludes the day's action versus Harvard University at 11:30 a.m. Both games will be on the campus of San Diego State.
QUACK TRACKS: Five players had one hit apiece for Oregon: Jenkins, Chaput, Gail and the Kivett sisters ... The Ducks have not allowed a run in 16 consecutive innings and have shutout three of their last four opponents ... The two teams combined to leave only eight runners on base (5 by UO)... The meeting between the Ducks and USD was the third all-time with UO prevailing in each case.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Rice, Melissa (2-3)
L: ELLENBECK, J (1-5)
Batting:
2B: Kivett, Ashley 1
RBI: Kivett, Ashley 1
SH: Fuiava, Monique 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Jenkins, Sari-Jane 1 ; Hudson, Kayleen 1
SB: Jenkins, Sari-Jane 1
Batting:
3B: CASCIOLA, C 1
