Ducks Clip Blackbirds, 3-1

Friday, February 26

Palm Springs, Calif.

3:30 PM

University of Oregon

12-4

Long Island

6-5

Long Island

Oregon

02/27/10 | Softball

Box Score

By: GoDucks.com

* A boxscore and play-by-play is located in the LINKS box to the right, and updated season and career statistics are available via the link above.

PALM SPRINGS - The University of Oregon softball team (12-4) topped Long Island (6-5) by a 3-1 count Friday in second-day action in the Cathedral City Classic and raised its tourney record to 4-0.

Oregon got out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning after senior designated player Blair Williamson and junior first baseman Monique Fuiava singled, then scored on a two-run double by sophomore shortstop Kelsey Chambers to right field.

The Blackbirds answered with a run in the third after the opening hitter Chelsea Martinson singled to shortstop, and after two passed balls, scored on a single to right centerfield by Mariesha Mejia.

The Ducks added an insurance run in the fifth inning after Williamson reached on a hit by pitch, stole second base, advanced on an error by the shortstop, then scored on a single by freshman right fielder Samantha Pappas.

Freshman Allie Burger (3-for-3) had the second three-hit day of her career, and was one of six Ducks to hit safely with Williamson (2-for-3, 2 runs), Pappas (1-for-3), Fuiava (1-for-1, 1 run, 1 RBI, 1 walk), Kelsey Chambers (1-for-3, 2 RBI) and Kaylan Howard (1-for-3).

Pappas extended her hitting streak to 14 games with her single in her final at-bat in the fifth inning. In contrast, sophomore Cortney Kivett's six-game hitting came to an end, although the Yucaipa, Calif., native still reached base via a sixth-inning two-out walk.

On the mound for UO, junior left-hander Brittany Rumfelt pitched the first two innings, struck out one, walked none, and allowed one run and four hits.

Sophomore Mikayla Endicott (2-0) came in the third inning after LIU had scored their first run and had another runner on with no outs. The Roseburg, Ore., native Endicott forced a ground-out and fly-out, then got the final out on a play at home on a failed squeeze bunt. Altogether she pitched two innings, struck out one, walked one and allowed one hit and no runs in her two innings.

Endicott was eventually relieved by freshman pitcher Jessica Moore earned her first collegiate save after she worked the final three innings, struck out one, walked one, and allowed one hit and no runs.

Long Island was poised to score in the first inning when a hit by pitch, single and fielder's choice loaded the bases with no outs. However, Rumfelt responded by getting an infield pop-out, then a foul fly-ball out to Pappas in right field who gunned the tagging runner out at home.

In the second inning, the Blackbirds again put runners on first and second with one out after a single and hit by pitch, but Rumfelt answered with a strikeout and ground-out to first base to end the inning.

For the game, LIU had four batters hit safely - Martinson (2-for-4, 1 run), Bianca Meija (1-for-3, 1 RBI), Karina Cervantes (1-for-3) and Emily Kakuska (1-for-2).

All-America pitcher Blaire Porter took the loss (4-2), and two of her three runs allowed were earned. Overall, she struck out two, walked two, and allowed nine hits.

Earlier in the afternoon, UO won 4-3 over Hawai'I (9-5) as Moore fanned 10 in her seven innings, walked only one, allowed eight hits, and only one of her two runs allowed were earned. Kelsey Chambers went 3-for-3 in the game, and Williamson went 2-for-3.

Looking ahead, UO plays its final game of the tournament Saturday morning vs. Pacific at 10 a.m.

LINESCORE

Oregon 3, Long Island 1 (Feb 26, 2010 at Palm Springs, Calif.)
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Long Island......... 001 000 0 - 1 5 1 (6-5)
Oregon.............. 200 010 X - 3 9 1 (12-4)
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Pitchers: Long Island - PORTER, Blaire and MARKER, Mariesha. Oregon - Rumfelt, Brittany;
Endicott, Mikayla(3); Moore, Jessica(5) and Kivett, Ashley.
Win-Endicott, Mikayla(2-0) Save-Moore, Jessica(1) Loss-PORTER, Blaire(4-2) T-1:45 A-300
Weather: 71, sunny, wind 0-3 mph
Rumfelt, B faced 2 batters in the 3rd.