Home To Howe For Duck Softball
RECAPPING LAST WEEKEND
The Ducks finished the Las Vegas Classic 2-2, defeating Illinois-Chicago 9-0 before falling 4-3 to host UNLV and 4-0 to No. 25 Long Beach State. On Friday evening, Oregon’s game vs. then-No. 11 Oklahoma was cancelled in the fourth inning due to rain. It was 2-1 in the top of the inning after a home run by Dani Baird. Oregon capped the tournament with a 4-3 win over Drake Sunday. Baird hit the game-winning RBI in the seventh inning and pitcher Alicia Cook improved to 5-3 on the year with the win. Oregon junior Beth Boskovich was 5-for-8 (.625) with two intentional walks, two doubles, a home run and four RBI to lead the Ducks’ offense over the four games.
SCOUTING THE COMPETITION
Portland State: The Vikings are 4-8 overall this season after going 2-4 last weekend. Earlier this season, Portland State defeated the Ducks for the first time in Oregon head coach Kathy Arendsen’s tenure. Oregon holds the overall edge in the series, 90-56. Offensively, Rose Rutledge and Kimi Daniel lead the offense, hitting .391 and .333, respectively. Kayla Lewis has four of Porltand State’s 12 home runs this season. Defensively, pitcher Michelle Hext leads the staff with a 1.59 ERA, but Vanessa Holm (2.66 ERA) has pitched the most innings (29). Hext has a team-high 24 strikeouts.
STREAKING
Freshman T.J. Eadus, who splits time between third base, catcher and designated player, has had a hit in six consecutive games...Suzie Barnes has had a hit in three straight games.
HARRIS HITTING HER STRIDE
Junior pitcher Amy Harris has allowed just two earned runs in her last 22.2 innings pitched...during that stretch, Harris has 20 strikeouts.
FRESHMAN CONTRIBUTIONS
Oregon’s freshman are doing their part this season. Duck freshman are currently hitting .333 (42-for-126) with 22 runs, 10 doubles, four home runs and 23 RBI....freshman T.J. Eadus leads the team with a .464 average (13-for-28)...freshman pitcher Alicia Cook got her first collegiate hit -- a home run -- vs. Illinois-Chicago...Cook leads all pitchers with 38 strikeouts.
SABOL STEALING
Heading into this season, junior Breanne Sabol had seven career stolen bases and was just 2-of-8 in 2004. This year, Sabol leads the team with six steals and has yet to be caught. Sabol currently ranks fifth in the conference in stolen bases.
MAKING A RUN FOR THREE STRAIGHT
Oregon has made it to the postseason in three consecutive seasons just one time in school history (1998, 1999, 2000) and will be looking to make its third straight regional appearance in 2005 after advancing in 2003 and 2004. Prior to head coach Kathy Arendsen’s arrival, the Duck program was 14-17 (.451) in their nine postseason (one CWS appearance) appearances. Under Arendsen, the Ducks are 9-4 (.692) in two postseason appearances and have advanced to the NCAA regional championship game in both seasons. With the exception of the 1989 WCWS appearance, Oregon has never advanced to the regional championship game until the arrival of Arendsen. In the two regional appearances in 2003 and 2004, Oregon had eight all-regional tournament honorees. In the prior nine appearances, the Ducks had just five players make the team (4, 1998; 1, 1999).
