Kleist Fires Second Straight No-Hitter

Saturday, March 10

Eugene, OR

7:00 PM

University of Oregon

21-4

Montana

7-15

Montana

Oregon

Photo by: Eric Evans/GoDucks.com

03/10/18 | Softball

Box Score Box: Oregon 6, Montana 0

By: Joe Waltasti

EUGENE, Ore. - Junior Megan Kleist fired her second straight no-hitter and the third of her career as the No. 6 ranked Oregon softball team defeated Montana, 6-0, on Saturday night at Jane Sanders Stadium.

The Ducks (21-4) backed up Kleist's no-hitter with six runs on 10 hits, including a 3-for-3 effort by sophomore Shannon Rhodes.

HOW IT HAPPENED: Both teams were held scoreless over the first three innings, as Kleist and Montana pitcher Colleen Driscoll both looked strong early. Kleist struck out the side in the third, giving her six strikeouts over the first three frames.

After Kleist sat down Montana in order in the fourth, the Ducks broke through for three runs in the bottom of the inning. Freshman Mary Iakopo lined a two-run triple down the right field line followed by a Mia Camuso RBI single.

Kleist picked up two more strikeouts in the fifth and the Ducks tacked on two more runs in the inning as well.

After Haley Cruse doubled to start the home half of the fifth, Jenna Lilley hit a RBI double to make it a 4-0 lead for the Ducks. Two batters later, Shannon Rhodes hit a RBI single to left to score Lilley.

Montana got its first and only baserunner of the game on a fielding error to start the sixth inning. Kleist responded with a strikeout, ground out and then Mary Iakopo threw out Montana's lone baserunner at second on a steal attempt.

The Ducks added another run in the bottom of the sixth when Miranda Elish smacked a pinch-hit single to short and a throwing error allowed DJ Sanders to score from second.

Kleist finished strong, with a groundout and back-to-back strikeouts to end the game. With Montana's one baserunner get thrown out trying to steal second, Kleist faced the minimum amount of batters in her no-hitter.

IN THE CIRCLE: After tossing a no-hitter last Sunday in a 2-1 loss at No. 13 ranked Florida State, Kleist earned the win in her second straight no-hitter. The junior posted 12 strikeouts against the Griz, giving her double digit strikeouts in three of her last four outings. After giving up three runs against Georgia in the Ducks' season-opener, Kleist has allowed just three total runs over her last 59.1 innings pitched. Kleist has a 0.75 ERA this season with a team-high 91 strikeouts in 65.1 innings pitched. She has a .117 batting average against on the year.

AT THE PLATE: Rhodes tallied three hits for the third time this season and the first time since going 3-for-3 against Missouri on Feb. 10. Lilley's RBI double against Montana gives her an eight-game hitting streak and at least one hit in all but two of the Ducks' 25 games this season.

UP NEXT: The Ducks close out the Oregon Invitational with a pair of games on Sunday at Jane Sanders Stadium. The Ducks meet Montana again at noon followed by a game against Bryant at 2:30 PM.