Ducks Escape From Tigers, 9-7

Saturday, March 7

Fullerton, Calif.

2:30 PM

University of Oregon

17-3

Pacific

7-16

Oregon

Pacific

Photo by: GoDucks.com

03/08/15 | Softball

Box Score

By: GoDucks.com

FULLERTON, Calif. – Lauren Lindvall cranked out five RBIs for the No. 2 Oregon softball team, as the Ducks narrowly escaped Pacific, 9-7, on Saturday at the Judi Garman Classic.

How It Happened: Janelle Lindvall started things off for the Ducks (17-3) in the top half of the second inning when she drew a leadoff walk. Hailey Decker then reached on an error by the shortstop followed by another walk to Gwen Svekis to set up L. Lindvall's bases clearing double to right field.

Nikki Udria plated L. Lindvall in the very next at-bat when she roped a single into left center and gave UO the 4-0 lead. The Ducks threatened again in the same inning, but wasn't able to score on their second bases loaded situation.

The Ducks plated another pair of runs in the third frame behind L. Lindval and Udria, scoring Decker and Svekis who singled and doubled, respectively, to start the inning.

Pacific (7-16) made things interesting in their half of the inning, pushing four runs across the plate to make it 6-4 in favor of Oregon. Jasmine Smithson-Willett came in to relief Karissa Hovinga who started the game with two outs in the third and surrendered a run, before getting the final out of the inning.

After a pair of groundouts to start the fourth, J. Lindvall and Decker were able to hit back-to-back singles. Svekis gave the Ducks another run after singling to right center to make it 7-4.

Oregon then put up another two spot in the top of the sixth and went ahead 9-5, but not before the Tigers stormed back in their half of the inning.

Smithson-Willett pitched back-to-back 1-2-3 innings before getting into trouble in the bottom of the sixth. With runners on first and second, the righty gave up a three-run homer to Molly Bourne to cut the Oregon lead to just 9-7.

Cheridan Hawkins came in to relieve Smithson-Willett in the bottom of the seventh to put the game away and collect her fifth save of the season.

By The Numbers: The 15 hits by Oregon against Pacific is the second-most this season … The Ducks batted .429 (15-for-35) as a team compared to Pacific's .250 batting average (8-for-32) despite the close score … L. Lindvall's five RBIs is the most by any Duck so far this season.

Up Next: Oregon immediately plays Fresno State for its second game of the double header on Saturday at the Judi Garman Classic.