Ma’ake Slam Highlights Day Two in Clearwater

Saturday, February 7

Clearwater, FL

1:00 PM

University of Oregon

2-1

Liberty

0-4

Oregon

Liberty

02/07/26 | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 #5 Oregon 10, #21 Liberty 2 #4 Tennessee 2, #5 Oregon 0

CLEARWATER, Fla. — Stefini Ma'ake hit a grand slam to help No. 5 Oregon defeat No. 21 Liberty, 10-2, in the early game Saturday at the NFCA Leadoff Classic. In the nightcap, the Ducks battled Tennessee All-American Karlyn Pickens in a tense contest before falling 2-0 to the fourth-ranked Lady Vols.

After Liberty went ahead 1-0 in the fifth inning. Ma'ake's grand slam capped a six-run sixth. The Ducks tacked on four more runs in the ninth inning to back Taylour Spencer, who went 5.0 innings and allowed just one run on three hits to pick up her first victory of the season. She struck out four and walked three.

Tennessee scored single runs in the first inning and sixth innings while keeping the Duck offense at bay.

How It Happened – Game One: The game was scoreless through into the fifth inning and neither team mustered much offense.

In the bottom of the fifth, the Flames (0-4) used an error, a sacrifice bunt and a fielder's choice to score the first run of the game.

The lead was short-lived as the Ducks (2-2) broke through in the sixth.

Amari Harper reached on a one-out single. Elon Butler doubled down the line and then both runners came home on a wild pitch that scored Harper. An errant throw from the catcher on the play allowed Butler to race home all the way from second for a 2-1 lead.

After Kaylynn Jones walked, Emma Cox and Addison Amaral singled to load the bases.

Ma'ake followed with her first career grand slam to give the Ducks a 6-1 lead.

Oregon put the game out of reach in the top of the seventh.

Harper doubled and Butler tripled to chase her home for a 7-1 edge. Jones' infield single scored Butler for an 8-1 lead.

Cox capped the scoring with her first home run of the season, a two-run shot to left center.

How It Happened – Game Two: The Ducks had chances against Pickens, especially in the early going, but she got just enough defense to shut out Oregon. She struck out nine while giving up three hits and four walks.

Rylee McCoy, Katie Flannery and Amaral had the Ducks' three hits.

Notable: Freshman Maddie Milhorn made her Oregon debut in relief against Liberty. She pitched the final two innings and struck out five … The Ducks rapped out a season-high 13 hits against the Flames. Ayanna Shaw, Harper, Butler, Cox and Amaral all had two hits.

Up Next: Oregon concludes play at the 2026 NFCA Leadoff Classic with a single game Sunday against Southeastern Louisiana. The game will be televised live on MLB Network at 7 a.m. Pacific Time.