Ducks Clipped by Gators in Rematch

Friday, March 6

Fullerton, Calif.

3:00 PM

University of Oregon

16-3

#1 Florida

26-0

Florida

Oregon

Photo by: GoDucks.com

03/07/15 | Softball

Box Score

By: GoDucks.com

FULLERTON, Calif. – In the much anticipated rematch between the No. 2 Oregon softball team and the top-ranked Florida Gators on Friday, the Ducks were once again bested by the Gators and fell 5-1 in their opening game of the Judi Garman Classic.

How It Happened: Florida jumped out to an early lead on the Ducks with a pair of solo homers in the top of the first off of Karissa Hovinga.

Oregon had an opportunity in its half of the second inning after Janelle Lindvall led off with a hit-by-pitch followed by Hailey Decker's single to center with no outs. However, a pair of strikeouts followed by a fly out stranded a pair of Ducks.

Hovinga had to labor a bit in the top of the third after the Gators loaded the bases with two outs after a pair of hit-by-pitches from Hovinga sandwiched a single to left. However, the veteran pitcher was able to regroup herself and get the inning-ending strikeout.

The Ducks again threatened the UF starter, Aleshia Ocasio, in the bottom of the third with back-to-back singles from Janie Takeda and Jenna Lilley with two outs, but the freshman was able to induce a fly ball to deep center field from J. Lindvall.

UO had a rough fourth inning as the Gators pushed their lead to 5-0 after a pair errors from Danica Mercado extended the inning for UF.

Hovinga's day ended after Florida plated its fifth run of the game in the fourth. The senior righty pitched 3.2 innings, gave up five runs, three earned with a trio of strikeouts.

Oregon made its last stand in the bottom of the seventh as Coral Kosta led off for the Ducks and reached first after being drilled in the arm. In her first at-bat of the game after taking over at second, Lauren Lindvall laced a single into center to put a pair of runners on with no outs.

Nikki Udria hit a soft chopper to the first baseman for UO's first out, but was able to make it a productive out as Costa and L. Lindvall advanced to second and third.

Gwen Svekis pinched hit for Alyssa Gillespie and loaded the bases full of Ducks after getting hit by a pitch, the seventh of the game between the two teams. Takeda then pushed Oregon's lone run across the plate after hitting a deep sacrifice fly to left, scoring Costa from third before Lilley grounded out to the pitcher for the final out of the game.

Jasmine Smithson-Willett, who came in relief of Hovinga, tossed a solid 3.1 innings of work and gave up just one hit and a walk to go with a pair of punch outs.

Odds & Ends: The Ducks are now 0-2 against Florida this season and 2-9 all-time … Hovinga picked up her first loss of the season … Four of UO's six hits came from Decker and Lilley who had a pair of hits each to lead the Ducks … Oregon is hitting just .163 as a team against UF in its two games.

Up Next: Oregon returns to the Judi Garman Classic on Saturday, March 7, with a pair of games. The Ducks will first face Pacific at 2:30 p.m. (PT) before ending the day with Fresno State right after at 5 p.m.