Six Games In Six Days For Duck Softball
NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT
Oregon’s games vs. Arizona will both be broadcast on the ESPN network. Saturday’s game was changed from 7 p.m. to 6 p.m. and will be broadcast live nationally on ESPN 2 while Sunday’s game was moved from Noon to 1 p.m. and will shown live on ESPN U.
RECAPPING LAST WEEK
The Ducks opened conference play in fine fashion, rebounding from a 4-3 loss to then-No. 17 Washington on Friday by sweeping defending national champion and seventh-ranked UCLA on Saturday. It is the first time in school history that the Ducks have swept the Bruins and prior to Saturday, Oregon had defeated UCLA just three times at Howe Field. The Ducks have now won against UCLA three times since Coach Arendsen arrived in 2003. On Friday, the Ducks rallied from a 4-0 deficit to pull within a run, 4-3, in the fifth inning and later loaded the bases with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning. Washington reliever Caitlin Noble was able to secure the Husky victory with a strikeout. On Saturday, freshman pitcher Alicia Cook got her first Pac-10 win, leading the Ducks to a 2-1victory in the second game while junior Amy Harris guided Oregon to a 3-1 win in the first game. Offensively, freshman Lovena Chaput led the way over the weekend, going 4-for-9 (.444) with four runs scored, a triple, a home run and two RBI.
AT OREGON STATE UNDER COACH ARENDSEN
Oregon is 2-1 vs. Oregon State at the OSU Softball Complex under third-year head coach Kathy Arendsen. Last season, the Ducks split in Corvallis, winning the first game 2-0 behind an RBI each by Beth Boskovich and Suzie Barnes. Pitcher Ani Nyhus struck out eight batters to secure the victory. The following day, Oregon State won 7-3. In 2003, Oregon pounded 13 hits to win 10-2. Pitcher Amy Harris had five strikeouts while second baseman Erin Goodell hit two home runs in the game.
SCOUTING THE COMPETITION
Oregon State: The Beavers (24-6 overall, 3-0 Pac-10) are the only team undefeated in Pac-10 play and are currently riding an 18-game win streak. Led by strong pitching from Brianne McGowan (21-2), Oregon State is also 5-0 at home. Offensively, Miranda Cambria leads the team with a .390 average while Adrienne Alo has 10 home runs and 24 RBI.
Arizona State: The Sun Devils (26-9, 1-2) host No. 2/2 Arizona Wednesday before entertaining the Oregon schools this weekend. Last week, Arizona State lost to Cal on Friday and Stanford on Saturday before rebounding with a 2-0 win over the Cardinal on Sunday. They lead the conference in saves (4), doubles (40) and are second in strikeouts (253). 14 of their 26 wins have come by shutout led by pitcher Desiree Serrano (10-3), who has 91 striekouts and a 0.98 ERA.
Arizona: After opening Pac-10 play 2-0 with wins over Stanford and Cal, the Bears handed the Wildcats their first loss on Sunday, winning 6-3. Arizona (28-3, 2-1) is 12-1 at home this season thanks in part to leadoff hitter, Caitlin Lowe’s .514 batting average and 15 RBI. Kristie Fox has 71 RBI and pitcher Alicia Hollowell is 19-2 overall with a 0.72 ERA and 271 strikeouts.
Santa Clara: Led by pitcher Liz Courter’s .342 batting average and 2.17 ERA, Santa Clara has won four in a row heading into games vs. Portland State Saturday and Sunday. Courter is 10-8 overall from the mound and has 68 strikeouts. Jessica Clee is hitting .317 with eight home runs and 30 RBI.
THE SERIES VS. OREGON STATE: Oregon holds a 75-67-1 overall record against the Beavers and have taken the series in the past two seasons. Prior to the Ducks’ 10-2 conference-opening win over the Beavers in 2003, Oregon had lost nine consecutive games to OSU. Last season, the Ducks scored six runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to come from behind and win 9-8 at Howe Field.
THE SERIES VS. ARIZONA STATE: The Sun Devils lead the series 34-31 and swept the Ducks in Tempe last season. Oregon won 1-0 at Howe Field behind 11 strikeouts from pitcher Ani Nyhus and two Arizona State errors.
THE SERIES VS. ARIZONA: The Wildcats dominate the series, 65-9, but in 2004, Oregon defeated then-No. 1 Arizona at Howe Field on a walk-off home run by Ashley Richards. It was the first time in school history that the Ducks defeated a top-ranked opponent and Oregon’s first victory over the Wildcats since 2000. Oregon has never defeated Arizona in Tucson.
