Ducks Hold On, Improve to 32-0

Saturday, April 1

Eugene, Ore.

2:00 PM

University of Oregon

32-0, 0

Arizona State

23-11, 0

Arizona State

Oregon

04/01/17 | Softball

Box Score SB Arizona State 2 Box 17

RHP Maggie Balint got a strikeout and a grounder with the bases loaded in the seventh to preserve an 8-4 win over No. 21 Arizona State.

By: Joe Waltasti

EUGENE, Ore. - With the bases loaded in the seventh inning, freshman Maggie Balint got a strikeout and a grounder to end it and the No. 3 Oregon softball team held on to beat No. 21 Arizona State, 8-4, on Saturday at Jane Sanders Stadium.

Oregon is now 32-0 on the season, three wins shy of matching the NCAA record of 35 wins to start a season.

HOW IT HAPPENED: Arizona State took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second but the Ducks answered in the bottom half of the second. Alexis Mack singled in Jenna Lilley to make it 1-1.

The Sun Devils took a 3-1 lead in the top of the third but once again the Ducks answered. Shannon Rhodes belted a two-run homer to left to tie it up, 3-3.

The Ducks took their first lead in the game with a three-run fourth. Lauren Lindvall scored on an error, Sammie Puentes beat out a fielder's choice grounder and scored. Nikki Udria ended the rally with a sac fly to center.

Oregon made it a 7-3 lead in the bottom of the fifth when Lindvall picked up a RBI on a sac fly to center, scoring Rhodes.

The Sun Devils cut into the Oregon lead with a run in the top of the sixth, but once again, the Ducks got the run back in the bottom of the sixth when Rhodes' RBI double made it an 8-4 game.

It got interesting in the seventh. With one out, the Sun Devils loaded the bases on a HBP, a double and a walk. Balint, who entered the game and issued the walk in the seventh, buckled down and picked up a strikeout and a grounder to get out of the jam.

AT THE PLATE: Alexis Mack went 3-for-3 at the leadoff spot while Shannon Rhodes also posted three hits, including a homer and a double. She drove in a team-high three runs.

IN THE CIRCLE: Megan Kleist started for the Ducks, allowing three runs on four hits in 2.2 innings with six strikeouts and five walks. Miranda Elish picked up the win in relief, allowing one run on three hits in 3.2 innings with three strikeouts. She is now 7-0 on the season. Maggie Balint earned her third save, picking up the final two outs.