Hoosiers Down Ducks, 5-4, in 7th Inning Rally

Saturday, February 20

Las Vegas, Nev.

1:30 PM

University of Oregon

6-4

Indiana

2-3

Oregon

Indiana

02/21/10 | Softball

Box Score

By: GoDucks.com

* A boxscore and play-by-play is located in the LINKS box to the right.

LAS VEGAS – In third-day action in the Louisville Slugger Desert Classic Saturday, the Oregon softball team (6-4) lost a see-saw battle, 5-4, to Indiana (2-3) at Stephanie Lynn Craig Field.

The Ducks went ahead, 2-0, in the second inning, thanks to a two-run triple by starting pitcher Jessica Moore – the first of her collegiate career. IU, however, answered with two runs of its own in the bottom half of the inning on a pair of homers off Moore to center field by their fourth and fifth hitters in the lineup, Sara Olson and Cassie Gogreve.

In the third, the Hoosiers forged ahead, 4-2, and score single runs on a wild pitch and double by Jennifer Gueckert to right field.

Oregon cut it to 4-3 in the sixth inning on freshman second baseman Kaylan Howard's first collegiate home run - a shot to center field on a 1-2 pitch.

Sophomore pitcher Samantha Skillingstad followed with a double to right field when the ball glanced off the right fielder's glove who was fully extended as she tried to make the running catch. Senior Blair Williamson followed with a walk, and senior pinch-hitter Carlyn Re added a single up the middle to load the bases, but a pop-up to the pitcher ended the inning.

IU had a chance to extend its lead in the sixth inning with the bases loaded and one out, but leadoff hitter Breanna Saucedo hit a soft fly to left field. Luckily, Duck skipper Mike White had just motioned freshman Allie Burger to play in, and she dived to make the catch and threw to third base for the double play and third out of the inning.

Junior catcher Ashley Kivett also boosted the defense with a pickoff throw at first base earlier in the sixth inning after the opening hitter had singled down the left field line.

The Ducks finally tied it up, 4-4, in the seventh inning after freshman Samantha Pappas singled to open the inning and scored on junior first baseman Monique Fuaiva's double to the left center field gap. Fuiava advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt, but was stranded when a strikeout and ground-out ended the inning.

In the bottom half of the seventh, IU lined out and struck out to open the inning, and after an intentional walk to Olson who had homered earlier, Gogreve doubled down the right field line to put runners on second and third base. The next batter Glueckert singled to right center field just in front of a diving Samantha Pappas for the game-winning hit.

At the plate for UO, six batters hit safely – Re (1-for-1), Pappas (2-for-3, 1 run, 1 walk), Fuiava (2-for-4, 1 run, 1 RBI), Howard (1-for-3, 2 runs, 1 RBI), Moore (1-for-1, 2 RBI) and Skillingstad (1-for-3).

On the mound for Oregon, Moore started the game and pitched the opening 1.2 innings with all her outs via strikeout (5), and walked two, and both of her runs allowed were earned.

Junior Brittany Rumfelt came in with runners on second and third base in the second inning and got a ground-out. She coaxed two more outs in the third inning in her one inning of work that included a walk, no strikeouts, one hit and two runs, both of which were unearned.

Skillingstad (1-3) came in to get the final out in the third inning – a ground-out to second base - and pitched the remainder. Altogether in her four innings, she allowed four hits, struck out four, walked three, and her only run allowed in the seventh was earned.

Hoosier starter Monica Wright pitched her first complete game of the year and struck out three, walked four, and all four of her runs allowed were earned. Four Hoosier batters combined for all seven of their hits – Olson (1-for-3, 2 runs, 1 RBI, 1 walk), Gogreve (2-for-4, 1 run, 1 RBI), Glueckert (3-for-4, 2 RBI) and Kesley Stander (1-for-2).

Looking ahead, UO finishes up action in the tournament on Sunday against Illinois-Chicago at 9 a.m. and San Diego at 11:15 a.m.

LINESCORE

Indiana 5, Oregon 4 (Feb 20, 2010 at Las Vegas, Nev.)
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Oregon.............. 020 001 1 - 4 8 2 (6-4)
Indiana............. 022 000 1 - 5 7 3 (2-3)
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Pitchers: Oregon - Moore, Jessica; Rumfelt, Brittany(2); Skillingstad, Sam(3) and . Indiana -
Wright, Monica and .
Win-Wright, Monica(1-0) Loss-Skillingstad, Sam(1-3) T-2:23 A-350
HR ORE - Howard, Kaylan.
HR IND - Olson, Sara; Gogreve, Cassie.
Weather: 52, cloudy, wind 4-10 mph