Kleist Throws No-Hitter, But Ducks Fall at FSU

Sunday, March 4

Tallahassee, FL

8:30 AM

University of Oregon

18-4

Florida State

15-6

Oregon

Florida State

Photo by: Eric Evans/GoDucks.com

03/04/18 | Softball

Box Score Box: #13 FSU 2, #6 Oregon 1

Megan Kleist threw the second no-hitter of her career on Sunday, but two unearned runs in the fourth doomed the No. 6 ranked Ducks in a tough 2-1 loss at No. 13 Florida State in the final game of the Unconquered Invitational

By: Nate Krueger

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Junior Megan Kleist threw the second no-hitter of her career on Sunday afternoon, but two unearned runs in the fourth inning doomed the sixth-ranked Oregon softball team as the Ducks suffered a tough 2-1 loss to No. 13 Florida State at JoAnne Graf Field.

The Ducks (18-4) saw their eight-game winning streak end while finishing 4-1 at the Unconquered Invitational and 6-1 on their four-day trip in Florida.

Kleist (6-3) struck out seven with one walk over six hitless innings for the 28th no-hitter in Oregon program history and her first this season.

How it Happened: After loading the bases but failing to score in the first, the Ducks pushed a run across in the second to take a 1-0 lead. Lauren Lindvall moved runners to second and third with a sacrifice bunt after Shaye Bowden singled and DJ Sanders walked to start the inning, and Jenna Lilley drove in the first run of the game with an RBI single off the glove of a leaping FSU shortstop.

Florida State (15-6) took advantage of Oregon mistakes in the fourth inning to score a pair of unearned runs and take the lead. A hit-by-pitch opened the inning and a UO error put runners on second and third with no outs. Oregon then tried to go home on a fielder's choice but was unable to get the runner at the plate, and the Seminoles followed with a sacrifice fly to left to move ahead, 2-1.

A double play in the sixth erased a Mia Camuso base hit with one out, and the Ducks were set down in order in the seventh as FSU ended a four-game losing streak against Oregon.

In the Circle: Kleist was terrific once again, holding a top-15 team hitless over six innings. The junior now owns a 0.84 ERA in 58.1 innings this season with 79 strikeouts to just eight walks. Kleist's tough-luck loss marks the second time an Oregon pitcher suffered the loss despite throwing a no-hitter (Katie Wiese, 1989).

At the Plate: Camuso went 2-for-3 to lead the Ducks, and Lilley drove in Oregon's lone run. Bowden and Alexis Mack accounted for UO's final two hits.

Pitching Shines in Sunshine State: Kleist's no-hitter capped a tremendous weekend in the circle for Oregon's pitchers. In seven games (50 innings), the Ducks' pitching staff allowed just three earned runs with 61 strikeouts and only eight walks. Sophomore Miranda Elish was stellar in three appearances (two starts), going 3-0 without allowing a run in 19 innings with 19 strikeouts. Kleist gave up just one earned run in 20 innings over three starts with 32 strikeouts and only two walks, and sophomore Maggie Balint went 1-0 in two starts while allowing two runs with 10 strikeouts and a walk. Oregon now owns a team ERA of just 0.79 this season.

What it Means: Despite the loss Sunday, the Ducks enjoyed a solid weekend in Florida, winning six of seven games over the span of four days. After going 18-4 in four road tournaments over four straight weekends to open the season, Oregon will now get to head home and play its next nine games within the confines of Jane Sanders Stadium.

Up Next: The Ducks will return to Eugene for their first home games of the season. Oregon will welcome Toledo, Weber State, Montana and Bryant for the Oregon Invitational, which will run from Thursday, March 8, to Sunday, March 11.