Ducks Score Early and Often to Rout Rutgers

Friday, February 16

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

3:00 PM

University of Oregon

8-0

Rutgers

2-5

Rutgers

Oregon

Photo by: Eric Evans/GoDucks.com

02/16/18 | Softball

Box Score Box: #3 Oregon 10, Rutgers 0 (5)

The No. 3 Ducks scored 10 runs on nine hits, ignited by a five-run first inning, to run-rule Rutgers in five innings, 10-0, and improve to 8-0 this season

By: Nate Krueger

PUERTO VALLARTA, Mexico - The third-ranked Oregon softball team jumped on Rutgers with a five-run first inning and never looked back on Friday afternoon in a 10-0 win in five innings at Nancie Alvaraz Field.

The Ducks (8-0) are now 2-0 this weekend in the Puerto Vallarta College Challenge after their sixth run-rule win of the season, and they will face a quick turnaround as they get set to take on Texas at 6 p.m. PT.

How it Happened: Alexis Mack and Jenna Lilley both reached base to open the bottom of the first, and senior Gwen Svekis continued to produce in the middle of the lineup with a two-run double to right-center field to make it 2-0. Freshman Mary Iakopo extended the lead to 3-0 with a sacrifice fly, and senior shortstop DJ Sanders followed with a massive two-run home run to left-center field to cap the five-run frame.

Mack set the table once again to start the second with a leadoff single and a stolen base, and Lilley brought her in with a sharp RBI single to center. Sophomore Mia Camuso plated Lilley with a sacrifice fly to center to make it 7-0.

Lilley continued her great game at the plate in the third, driving a two-run double to right-center field to push Oregon's lead to 9-0. Junior Darya Kaboli-Nejad took advantage of pinch-hitting opportunity with a sacrifice fly to center, making it 10-0 and pushing the Ducks into double digits for the fifth time this season.

The Ducks were able to keep Rutgers (2-5) off the board thanks to three defensive double plays, including two on fly balls to the outfield, and five scoreless innings from sophomore Maggie Balint (3-0).

Terrific all-around game for the Ducks. Offense scored 10 runs on 9 hits, defense turned three double plays and Balint allowed just two hits over 5 scoreless #GoDucks pic.twitter.com/Sgpjc5v65M
— Oregon Softball (@OregonSB) February 17, 2018

At the Plate: Lilley went 3-for-3 with three RBIs and three runs scored to lead the Ducks, and Sanders matched Svekis for the team lead with her fifth home run of the season. Svekis drove in two to push her team RBI lead to 15, and Iakopo, Camuso and Kaboli-Nejad each had one RBI. Mack scored three runs while going 2-for-2, extending her team-best hitting streak to 14 games.

In the Circle: Balint held Rutgers scoreless over five innings while allowing just two hits with four strikeouts and two walks in her first start of the weekend. Through two games in Puerto Vallarta, Oregon's pitching staff has held its opponents scoreless while surrendering just three hits.

Up Next: The Ducks will take on Texas at 6 p.m. PT at Mary Alvaraz Field. The game will be available to watch live on collegesportslive.com with a paid subscription.