Ducks Face Top-10 Tilts in Palm Springs Return
EUGENE ? The University of Oregon softball team will return to Palm Springs for the second time in three weeks for its most challenging tournament of the non-conference slate, the Palm Springs Classic in nearby Cathedral City, Calif., Thursday-Sunday, February 21-24.
The Ducks will face three top-10 ranked teams in this week's NFCA national poll ? No. 2 Northwestern, No. 8 Oklahoma and No. 10 Baylor ? fellow returning NCAA veteran last year Long Island, and another talented West Coast team in Pacific. Baylor and Northwestern advanced to the eight-team College World Series last year, while Oklahoma is a frequent Super Regional advancer and the Big 12 Conference Tournament champion in ’07.
A challenging weekend slate is nothing new for the Ducks who have 37 games in ’08 against returning NCAA qualifiers, including five regional champions, three World Series participants and both NCAA championship participants.
The Ducks come off back-to-back wins last weekend to cap the Louisville Slugger Classic in Las Vegas ? 4-3 in extra innings over San Jose State, and 3-0 over returning South Carolina who beat UO in last year’s NCAA regional finale.
In UO’s previous stop in Palm Springs in the season opener two weeks ago (February 8-10), the Ducks went 2-3 with wins over NCAA veteran Cal Poly and Cal State Northridge, and four of their five games were against returning NCAA qualifiers.
Among recent heroes, senior right hander Alicia Cook has pitched two shutouts in her last four games, a 2-0 win vs. Northridge and a 3-0 victory over South Carolina. Sophomore left fielder Neena Bryant hit a game-tying homer and an extra inning RBI double vs. San Jose State to stake a .500 hitting mark for the tourney (8-16, 1 HR, 5 RBI). Two others also hit over .400 in the five games in Vegas ? junior left fielder Sari-Jane Jenkins (.500, 8-16, 2 doubles, 5 runs, 3 RBI, 5 stolen bases) and senior shortstop Lovena Chaput (.467, 7-15, 1 double, 2 home runs, 7 RBI).
Head Coach Kathy Arendsen is nearing a program milestone and her 188 wins is only four shy of the all-time leader Teresa Wilson (192, 1990-96).
Looking ahead, the Ducks are less two weeks from their home opener at Howe Field vs. Portland State, Wednesday, March, 5, at 2:30 p.m.
THIS WEEK’S GAME INFO
Tournament: Palm Springs Classic
Stadium: Big League Dreams Park (Fenway Park, Wrigley Field, Yankee Stadium)
Location: Cathedral City, Calif. (Palm Springs)
Dates: Thursday-Sunday, February 21-24
Host (Website): Oregon State ( www.OSUbeavers.com )
UO Weekend Opponents (2008 / 2007 Record) ? Ranking (NFCA / USA SB) & Team Notes
Thursday (2/21)
- No. 10 / No. 13 Baylor (3-1 ’08, 51-16 ?07) , 8 p.m. ? The Bears were College World Series participants last year and the Big 12 Conference regular season champions, and are led by Player of the Year nominee P/UT Kristen Shortridge (Website: www.BaylorBears.com ).
Friday (2/22)
- Long Island (3-2 ’08, 34-22 ?07), 1 p.m. ? The Blackbirds were an NCAA tourney qualifier in ’07 after they won the Northeastern Conference. (Website: www.LIUathletics.com ).
- No. 2 / No. 3 Northwestern (4-0 ’08, 52-13 ?07), 5:30 p.m. ? The returning World Series participants has two Player of the Year nominees ? Tammy Williams (last week’s national player of the week) and sophomore Nicole Pauly (Website: www.NUsports.com ).
Saturday (2/23)
- Michigan State (4-0 ’08, 33-26 ?07), 10 a.m. - Off to 4-0 start in ’08, the Spartans finished seventh in the Big Ten in ’07 (Website: www.MSUspartans.com ).
No. 8 / No. 6 Oklahoma (9-2 ’08, 55-8 ?07), 6 p.m. ? The returning Big 12 Champion and NCAA qualifier in ’07 is led by Player of the Year candidate Lauren Eckermann who is their top pitcher and one of their top hitters. (Website: www.SoonerSports.com ).
Sunday (2/24)
- Pacific (3-6 ?08, 36-24 ?07),1 p.m. ? After nine games in ’08, three players are batting .300 or better, and three more are hitting .285 or better, including Alyce Jorgensen (3 homers) (Website: www.PacificTigers.com ).
DUCK BATTING NOTES
- For the second straight week, three Ducks are batting.400 or better ? junior Sari-Jane Jenkins (.452, 14-31, 2 doubles, 5 RBI, 9 stolen bases), sophomore center fielder Neena Bryant (.419, 13-31, 4 doubles, 2 home runs, 6 RBI, 3 stolen bases) and senior shortstop Lovena Chaput (.400, 12-30, 2 home runs, 8 RBI).
- All three aforementioned sluggers had big weeks at the plate last weekend in Las Vegas ? Bryant (.500, 8-16, 1 home run, 5 RBI, 2 stolen bases), Jenkins (.500, 8-16, 2 doubles, 3 RBI) and Chaput (.467, 7-15, 2 home runs, 7 RBI).
- Five Ducks have homered in the first 10 games this year, three returnees - Chaput (2), Bryant (1) and senior Joanna Gail (1) ? and two freshmen ? first baseman Monique Fuiava (2, including a grand slam) and catcher Ashley Kivett (1).
- Two weeks ago, Fuiava hit two homers (including a grand slam) vs. Colorado State and her 6 RBIs is a team high in ’08, and only one off the school record (7) that four share. Others on the team with grand slams from prior seasons include Gail (2) and Hudson (2).
- Current Duck career home run leaders include redshirt Jenn Salling (14), Bryant (12), Hudson (12), Gail (11) and Chaput (8), and not far away is UO’s 10th-best career mark held by recent Duck star Beth Boskovich (19).
- Cortney Kivett went 4-4 in her first collegiate game with a double and a stolen base, and came back with a 2-4 day the next morning vs. Cal Poly and had a RBI and stolen base in both games.
- Chaput moved to ninth all-time for UO in doubles with one last weekend (30), and is two away from seventh (32)
- UO’s 15 hits vs. Colorado State tied a team record that has been matched many times, the most recent in a 6-5 win at Oregon State in 2007.
- Oregon’s 14 runs vs. Colorado State was the second-most under sixth-year head coach Kathy Arendsen (behind last year’s 15-8 win last year vs. College World Series qualifier and then-No. 8 Texas A&M). That 14-run tally was three shy of the school record (17 vs. Rutgers, 17, 1999).
DUCK PITCHING NOTES
- Last weekend on the mound in Vegas, all three Duck pitchers notched wins - Cook (1-1, 1.17 ERA, 15 strikeouts, 1 walk), Rice (1-1, 4.91 ERA, 6 strikeouts, 5 walks) and freshman Brittany Rumfelt (1-0, 3.18 ERA, 5 strikeouts, 2 walks).
- Senior pitcher Alicia Cook?s shutout vs. South Carolina last weekend was the 17th of her career and ranks her fourth all-time for UO. The 43rd career complete game also puts her alone in seventh in the Duck history books just ahead of former teammate Amy Harris (42). She is also top-10 ranked for UO in several other categories ? see later in the release for a lengthier recap.
- Cook owns UO’s season high in strikeouts (7 vs. South Carolina) and also had six vs. Colorado State and five in her outings vs. Tennessee and Northridge, as did junior Melissa Rice vs. Mississippi State
- Cook has UO’s longest scoreless inning streak (10.1) from earlier in the season, she currently has a run of 11 straight innings alive without an earned run in her last two appearance (she gave up two unearned runs in that stretch in the fourth innings vs. San Jose State last weekend).
- Rumfelt (2-0) has won both of her starts, a 13-2 win over Northwestern State last weekend (5 innings, 2 earned runs, 5 strikeouts, 1 walk) and a 14-4 win in her collegiate debut vs. returning NCAA qualifier Cal Poly (4 innings, 11 hits, 4 earned runs, 1 strikeout, 2 walks).
MISC. DUCK NOTES
- The Duck defense is fairly new look in '08, even for the returnees. Five players started multiple games the first weekend in the same tournament that didn’t do so in ’07 ? freshmen Monique Fuiava (1B-DP), Ashley (C) and Cortney Kivett (2B), sophomore Carlyn Re (1B) and redshirt senior Kayleen Hudson (RF-DP). Sophomore Blair Williamson (RF) started multiple games in a tournament only once last year, while three of UO’s players have started at different positions than they did in the non-conference slate in ’07 ? Chaput (SS in ?08, LF in ?07), Jenkins (LF in ?08, CF in ’07) and Bryant (CF in ?08, RF in ’07).
- Six Ducks have started all 10 games this year ? Hudson (RF-DP), Jenkins (LF), Cortney Kivett (2B), Neena Bryant (CF) and Chaput (SS)
THIS WEEK’S SCOUTING REPORT (Rankings NFCA / USA Softball0
No. 10 / No. 13 Baylor (3-1 ’08 / 51-16 ?07): The Bears went 51-16 last year and staked the Big 12’s top regular season mark in ’07 (14-3). BU ended the year ranked fifth in both national polls, than advanced to the College World Series en route to a 6-3 postseason mark, and six starters are back from last year’s squad along with two pitchers. Top returnees from last year’s stat sheet include USA Softball Player of the Year preseason nominee and sophomore utility player/pitcher Kirsten Shortridge (.340, 55 hits, 3 doubles, 2 triples, 3 homers, 18 RBI, 14 stolen bases), junior infielder Brette Reagan (.341, 61 hits, 10 doubles, 10 home runs, 46 RBI, 45 walks, 11 stolen bases), sophomore utility player Nicole Wesley (.317, 57 hits, 19 RBI, 27 stolen bases), sophomore utility player Tiffany Wesley (.291, 62 hits, 5 doubles, 9 RBI, 36 stolen bases), sophomore catcher Courtney Oberg (.287, 47 hits, 7 homers, 34 RBI) , while the team’s top returning pitcher is Shortridge (17-6, 2.14 ERA, 167.0 innings, 125 strikeouts, 53 walks, 131 hits). Head Coach Glenn Moore is in his eighth season and began the season with a 303-138 career mark. 2008 Offensive Statistic Leaders (4 games): Jordan Daniels (.643, 9-14, 2 doubles, 3 home runs, 7 RBI), KJ Freeland (.500., 2-4), Nicole Wesley (.417, 5-12, 1 RBI, 5 stolen bases), Maritza Martinez (.400, 2-5, 1 RBI), Kirsten Shortridge (.375, 6-16, 6 stolen bases), Tiffany Wesley (.357., 5-14, 4 RBI), Brette Reagen (.333., 3-9, 4 RBI, 5 walks), Brette Reagan (.333, 3-9, 1 double, 1 triple, 4 RBI). Pitching Leaders: Jenny Isham (2-0, 0.00 ERA, 10.0 innings, 4 strikeouts, 3 walks, 6 hits), Kirsten Shortridge (1-0, 2.19 ERA, 12.1 innings, 3 earned runs, 8 strikeouts, 1 walks, 11 hits).
Long Island (3-2 ’08, 34-22 ?07): The Blackbirds went 34-22 last year and were the 2007 Northeast Conference Champions with a 16-2 mark, then went 1-2 in their NCAA Regional. Head Coach Roy Kortmann returns for his 14th year at the helm and staked a 367-283-2 mark in his prior seasons. 2008 Offensive Statistic Leaders (5 games): Celina Castillo (.375, 6 hits, 1RBI), Chelsea Martinson (.308, 4 hits, 2 RBI), Lauren Kemp (.286, 2 hits, 1 double). Pitching Leaders: Jenny Giles (1-2, 0.86 ERA, 21 innings, 15 strikeouts, 4 walks), Blaire Porter (2-0, 1.06 ERA, 17 innings, 23 strikeouts, 4 walks).
Michigan State (4-0 ’08, 33-26 ?07): MSU welcomed back six starters and three pitchers from last year, and top returnees from ’07 are USA National Team member and redshirt freshman Bianca Mejia (a redshirt in ’07), senior third baseman/catcher Caitlin Mahoney (.309, 12 HR, 47 RBI), pitcher Lesley Noel (.327 ERA, 143 innings, 86 strikeouts), senior outfielder Nikki Nicosia (.357, 25 RBI, 21 SB), senior utility player Traci Nicosia (.352, 31 RBI, 15 doubles) and junior catcher Kara Weigle (.356, 48 RBI, 14 SB). Head Coach Jacquie Joseph is in her 15th season in East Lansing and entered the season with a 445-372-1 record with the Spartans, and last year’s team finished seventh in the Big Ten. Current Season Offensive Statistic Leaders (4 games): Caitlin Mahoney (.462, 6 hits, 1 double, 6 RBI), Nikki Nicosia (.455, 5 hits, 7 runs, 1 2B, 2 RBI, 3 BB), Jessica LeFevre (.444, 4 hits, 2 SB), Gina Mondo (.417, 5 hits), Kara Weigle (.400, 4 hits, 3 RBI, 4 sacrifice hits). Pitching Leaders: Shae Bass (0.82 ERA, 11 innings, 8 hits, 6 strikeouts, 4 walks), Lesley Noel (1.38, 1-0, 13 innings, 8 hits, 12 strikeouts, 2 walks).
No. 2 / No. 3 Northwestern (4-0 ’08, 52-13 ?07): Junior shortstop Tammy Williams was tabbed the NFCA National Player of the Week on Tuesday and is a USA Softball Player of the Year preseason nominee with sophomore second baseman Nicole Pauly. Last year Williams was a First-Team All-American and a All-World Series Tournament and All-Big Ten selection after she posted school records in hits (91) and runs (73), and hit 30 career homers her first two years. Pauly was an All-Mideast Region First Team pick and Big Ten Freshman of the year. Her 14 homers in ’07 tied an NU freshman record and her 62 RBIs was the second-most in school history. Junior infielder Jessica Rigas was an All-Big Ten Second-Team pick, and senior third baseman Darcy Sengeald is a two-time Big Ten All-Tournament Team selection. Sophomore pitcher Lauren Delaney was an All-Mideast Region and third-team All-Big Ten pick last year (19-2 1.73 ERA). Head Coach Kate Drohan is in her seventh season in Evanston and owned a 238-103-1 mark prior to the ’08 seasno. Current Hitting Leaders (4 games): Williams (.786 average, 11-14, 1 HR, 2 RBI), Nicole Pauly (.500, 7-14, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 3 BB), Kelly Dyer (.462, 6-13, 1 2B, 1HR, 2 RBI, 2BB), Erin Dyer (.364, 4-11, 1 HR, 4 RBI), Michelle Batts (4-4, 5-14, 1 HR, 8 RBI). Pitching Leaders: Lauren Delaney (3-0, 3 CG, 6.00 ERA, 21.0 innings, 16 hits, 18 runs, 32 strikeouts, 21 walks), Jessica Smith (1-0, 1.17, 6.0 innings, 3 strikeouts).
No. 8 / No. 6 Oklahoma (9-2 ’08, 55-8 ?07): OU returns seven starters and three All-Americans from last year’s 55-8 squad that qualified for the Super Regional and was the Big 12 Tournament Champion. Top players statistically back from last season include senior outfielder Susan Ogden (.381, 56 hits, 3 home runs, 36 RBI, 24 walks), sophomore utility player Amber Flores (.325, 54 hits, 8 home runs, 41 RBI, 26 walks). On the mound, senior right-hander Lauren Eckermann is a USA Softball Player of the Year preseason nominee based on last year’s numbers (37-5, 12 shutouts, 274 innings, 359 strikeouts, 50 walks) and junior left-hander D.J. Mathis is another top returning pitcher (2.60 ERA, 12-3, 3 shutouts, 97 innings, 88 strikeouts, 34 walks). Head Coach Patty Gasso returns for her 14th season in Norman and sported a 639-208-2 record prior to the ’08 season opener. 2008 Season Offensive Statistic Leaders (11 games): Traci Dickenson (.476 average, 1 home run, 10 hits, 10 walks), Amber Flores (.375, 12 hits, 3 home runs, 9 RBI, 2 stolen bases), Savannah Long (.323, 10 hits, 1 HR, 7 RBI). Pitching Leaders: Lauren Eckermann (3.08, 3-2, 25 innings, 19 strikeouts, 5 walks), D.J. Mathis (6-0, 2 shutouts, 39.1 innings, 45 strikeouts, 12 walks)
Pacific (3-6 ?08, 36-24 ?07): Pacific returns six starters from last year’s 36-24 squad that placed fifth in the Big West Conference (5-5). Key returnees from last year include three All-Big West Second Team selections - junior right-hander Chelsea Engle (19 wins, 2.69 ERA), junior second baseman Casey Goldsand (.367, 58 hits) and senior pitcher Alyce Jorgensen (.281 average, 8-5). Head Coach Brian Kolze is in his 16th season and entered the year with a 476-368-1 record. 2008 Season Statistic Leaders (9 games): Lauren Weyman (.400, 10-25, 1 double, 4 RBI), Mandy Hickman (.364, 4-11, 1 home run, 2 RBI), Britt Hendrickson (.316, 6-19, 2 doubles, 3 RBI), Kellee Wilson (.296, 8-27, 2 home runs, 10 RBI, 3 walks), Casey Goldsand (.292, 7-24, 4 RBI, 2 walks), Alyce Jorgensen (.286, 8-28, 3 home runs, 5 RBI, 2 walks). Pitching: Chelsea Engle (2-2, 1.54 ERA, 27.1 innings, 11 runs, 23 strikeouts, 10 walks, 26 hits), Heidi Helberg (1-1, 4.81 ERA, 16 innings, 3 strikeouts, 9 walks, 14 hits).
UO SEASON PREVIEW
In 2007, the Ducks seek their fifth postseason trip under sixth-year head coach Kathy Arendsen, buoyed by the memories from an often-magical ’07 season. UO racked up 44 victories ? second most in school history ? and a school record 18-game early season win streak that put the Ducks in the top 10 in the national polls in the opening months of the schedule.
TOP DUCK RETURNEES
The Ducks welcome back many of last year’s stars from one of its deepest teams ever. Junior outfielder Sari-Jane Jenkins (.396, 82 hits, 27 RBI, 38 SB) and senior third baseman Joanna Gail (.281, Defensive MVP .971) were All-Region Second Team picks. Jenkins’ sophomore season totals in hits (82), stolen bases (38) and doubles (16) ranked second most in school history and her hits and doubles totals ranked third and first in the Pac-10 last year.
In ’07, the Salem, Ore., product Jenkins was also a Pac-10 Second-Team pick, while Gail and sophomore outfielder Neena Bryant (.309, 14 doubles, 10 HR’s, 46 RBI) were honorable mention all-league selections. Bryant led the gold-medal winning U.S. junior national team in batting (,571) last summer in the World Junior Championships, and had several top-10 season all-time marks for UO (see end of release).
Senior shortstop Lovena Chaput was an All-Pac-10 Second Team pick in 2005 and an ASA All-America shortstop two summers ago. Redshirt senior Kayleen Hudson missed last year, and had a career high .293 average in ’06 and ranked second on the team in slugging (.455) and third in on-base (.362) and home runs (4).
Arendsen’s pitching staff returns both of last year’s 20-game winners - senior Alicia Cook (23-5, 10 shutouts, 125 strikeouts) and junior Melissa Rice (21-14, eight shutouts, 114 strikeouts) ? the first duo to notch the feat in school history.
STAT WATCH ? UO ALL-TIME CHARTS
Lovena Chaput, Sr., Tualatin, Ore.
Career Doubles ? 10th, 30 ? needs two to tie for 7th (32)
Career Triples ? 11th, 7 ? needs 1 to tie for 8th (8)
Alicia Cook, Sr., Elmira, Ore.
Career Strikeouts ? 7th, 307 ? needs nine to tie for 6th (316)
Melissa Rice
Career Shutouts ? 8th, 9 ? needs 1 to tie for 7th (10)
Career Innings ? 11th, 333.2 - needs 2.2 to tie for 9th (336.1)
LAST WEEK’S GAME RECAPS
Louisville Slugger Classic
Stephanie Lynn Craig Park
Las Vegas, Nevada
Friday-Sunday, February 15-17, 2008
2/17 ? Oregon 4, San Jose State 3. The Ducks celebrated a 4-3 comeback win in eight innings Sunday to cap the tournament with a 3-2 mark. UO drew even 2-2 in the sixth inning when sophomore centerfielder Neena Bryant hit a solo home run - her second four-bagger of the season - over the right center wall. In the top of the eighth, junior left fielder Sari-Jane Jenkins added the game-winner with a single to score freshman pinch runner Ashley Kivett from third base. Jenkins stole second and scored UO’s final run two batters later when Bryant doubled to left field. UO got out to a 1-0 lead in the second inning on a towering homer by Chaput over the right center field wall - her second of the tourney and season to lead off. On the mound, junior Melissa Rice notched her first win (1-2) and worked the final four innings and gave up four hits and no earned runs and struck out three and walked one. Senior starter Alicia Cook pitched the first four innings and gave up four hits, walked none and struck out none, and both of SJSU’s runs were unearned. San Jose State’s two runs in the fourth inning were made possible by an error from Cook who fielded a hard come-back chopper up the middle, but threw wide of second base in a potential double play for an error. SJSU batters followed with a fielder’s choice and two base hits among its next three batters ? the final of which was thrown out at first base by right fielder Kayleen Hudson ? before Cook ended the inning with another groundout.
2/16 ? Oregon 3, South Carolina 0. Senior Alicia Cook authored an impressive 3-0 shutout over the returning NCAA Super Regional South Carolina qualifier to cap the tourney’s second day. The Ducks shook off an 11-3 loss just before to Bradley and were re-energized by Cook who struck out a season-high eight, walked only one and gave up two hits in seven innings. Her win also avenged a comeback win by the Gamecocks in last year’s regional championship. Oregon’s offense proved opportunistic, scoring a run in the top half of the first inning, then adding two more in the seventh inning. Sophomore centerfielder Neena Bryant knocked in UO’s first two runs in the first and seventh inning and after the second at-bat, senior shortstop Lovena Chaput smacked a single down the right field line to score Bryant for the game’s final run. Bryant ended 3-4 with 2 RBI, while Chaput went 2-4 with an RBI in the clean-up spot. Including Saturday’s earlier game vs. Bradley, Bryant and Chaput went 4-6 and 4-7, respectively, and each had 2 RBI, while Sari-Jane Jenkins was 3-6 with two runs scored. In the field, Duck right fielder Kayleen Hudson’s defense played a key role as she threw out the leadoff hitter in the third inning trying to turn a single into a double, and followed with a spectacular running catch in deep right center in the fourth inning to take away a multi-base hit with only one out.
2/16 ? Bradley 11, Oregon 3. Bradley, up 2-1 heading into the fourth inning, erupted for nine runs to beat the Ducks in five innings as starter Ashley Birdsong (3-0) scattered seven hits, gave up two earned runs, struck out five and walked none. UO stranded six runners in the five-inning contests, and Duck RBIs came from a double by junior left fielder Sari Jane Jenkins to left center, and singles by Bryant by Chaput. In 4 1/3 innings of work, Rice (0-2) gave up nine hits, four earned runs, walked two and struck out two, while Brittany Rumfelt faced seven batters and got two outs in the fourth inning.
2/15 ? Kansas, 6, Oregon 1. Freshman catcher Ashley Kivett became the third different Duck to hit a homer in the first seven games, while the Ducks finished the first day of the tourney, 1-1. Kivett’s solo shot over the left center field wall was her third extra-base hit (along with two doubles the previous weekend) in her first 12 collegiate at-bats and drew the Ducks within, 2-1. KU (6-1), however, added single runs the fifth and sixth innings, and two more in the seventh. The Ducks had three this at the plate from redshirt senior right fielder Kayleen Hudson (1-3), sophomore centerfielder Neena Bryant (1-3) and Kivett (1-3). Senior right-hander Alicia Cook pitched 4 1/3 innings and gave up two earned runs, six hits, struck out a season-high seven batters and walked none for the second time this season. Junior right-hander Melissa Rice pitched the final 2 2/3 innings, and allowed five hits, two earned runs, struck out one and walked two.
2/15 ? Oregon 13, Northwestern State 2. The Ducks kicked of the tourney with their second run rule victory of the year after they scored a run in the second inning, four in the third, three in the fourth and five in the fifth. Seniors Lovena Chaput and Joanna Gail both hit their first home runs of the season and had multiple hits, as well as Jenkins (3-4, 1 RBI, 2 runs) and Cortney Kivett (2-4, 1 run). Freshman left-hander Brittany Rumfelt (2-0) pitched a five-inning complete game and struck out five and walked only one, and both of the Demons’ runs were earned.
IN THE POLLS
In the national preseason polls, UO held its place among the country’s elite programs with 20th and 23rd ?place rankings in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association and USA Softball polls, respectively. Returning national champion Arizona led both rankings and was among seven Pac-10 teams spotted, and their rankings follow: Arizona (1st / 1st ), Arizona State (3rd / 2nd), UCLA (14th / 10th ), Washington (11th / 14th), Stanford (19th / 17th) and Oregon State (18th / 19th).
A RIGOROUS SCHEDULE
The Ducks typically play one of the nation’s tougher schedules, and will again in ?08 with 37 games against returning NCAA qualifiers from last season. Not surprisingly, those opponents include five regional champions, three World Series participants and both championship participants. The Ducks will spend nearly the entire first six weeks of the season on the road at a pair of tournaments in both Palm Springs (Cathedral Kickoff 2/8-10, Palm Springs Classic 2/21-24) and Las Vegas (Louisville Slugger Classic, 2/15-17, Las Vegas Invitational 3/7-9) and another in San Diego (San Diego Classic, 2/28-3/2).
UO’s home opener at Howe Field is slated for Wednesday, March 5 at 2:30 p.m. The following weeks, the Eugene-Springfield community will get plenty of face time with its favorite team with most of UO’s next 10 games in the cozy confines of Howe Field as part of the Cascade Clash, March 13-25. Afterwards the Ducks open the Pac-10 season on the road at Washington and UCLA (3/28-30), then have their first Civil War showdown vs. Oregon State, Wednesday, April 2, soon followed by games vs. Arizona State and Arizona (4/4-6). The Ducks warp up the season five weeks later at home vs. UCLA and Washington (5/8-10)
2007 DUCK SEASON REVIEW
The Ducks advanced to the regional final for the fourth time under Arendsen last May after opening round wins in the postseason vs. Penn State (4-0) and South Carolina (8-4), before losing twice afterwards to the host Gamecocks. UO soared through the non-conference stretch and climbed as high as 10th and 11th, respectively, in the national polls thanks to a 24-3 start that included a school record 18-game winning streak. Afterwards, UO continued to fly high en route to a 44-19 record and second-most wins in school history.
Individually, the Ducks amassed a school record seven All-Pac-10 honors, led by NFCA Player of the Year finalist and redshirt sophomore shortstop Jenn Salling. The first-year Duck also nabbed UO’s first Pac-10 Newcomer of the Year award after she ranked second nationally in batting (.481), and added school records in RBI (73), slugging (.873) and walks (46). A pair of then-seniors ? Suzie Barnes and Ann Marie Topps - were tabbed to the Pac-10 All-Second Team. Barnes handily broke season records for stolen bases (41) and runs (64) and Topps crushed 19 home runs, three more than the previous Duck all-time best.
SUMMER FUN
After last year’s record-breaking collegiate season, the Ducks continued to shine on the club, national and international stages. Last August, redshirt sophomore shortstop Jenn Salling started at shortstop and hit in the middle of the Canadian National Team’s lineup in the China Cup in Beijing, China. Afterwards, the Port Coquitlam, B.C. native was selected to Canada’s Olympic Team ? one of the top medal hopefuls this August. Senior Joanna Gail started at third base for the Greek National Team in their Europe-Africa Olympic qualifying tournament as the squad finished tied for fourth and celebrated wins over numerous countries, including the Czech Republic, England and Holland. The Poway, Calif., native made her Olympic debut back in ’04 in Athens before her freshman season. Sophomore Neena Bryant was one of the top hitters on the gold-medal U.S. team at the World Junior Championships last June. The U.S. team was unbeaten (10-0), and the outfielder from Placentia, Calif., led the team in batting (.571) in her nine games and her other offensive numbers follow: 7-12, 1 double, 1 triple, 8 RBI, .545 slugging. In the summer season, Gail and Jenkins started for the ASA national champion Brakettes team (Stratford, Conn.), and Jenkins was an All-America choice.
NEW FACES
The Ducks welcome six newcomers that will challenge for immediate duty ? junior transfer Shelley Deadmond (outfield) and freshmen Monique Fuiava (first base), twins Ashley and Cortney Kivett (catcher / second base), Brittany Rumfelt (pitcher) and Kaitlin Vitek (catcher). Cortney Kivett will likely start at second baseman and replace All-Pac-10 pick Suzie Barnes, and Rumfelt is expected to boost the team on the mound and at the plate. Monique Fuiava will likely share duties at first base with sophomore Carlyn Re, and Ashley Kivett and Vitek stabilize UO’s future behind the plate as they mentor under senior and two-year starter Aime Morris. Deadmond was an all-league honorable mention at Butte Junior College and could play any outfield position.
SISTER ACT
Freshman Kivett twins ? Ashley and Cortney ? aren’t the only Ducks with sibling connections. Senior pitcher Alicia Cook is the younger sister of former Duck great Jennie Cook. The elder Cook lettered from 1996-99 and ranks top 10 for UO in games (second, 140), wins (third, 59), complete games (third, 82), innings (fourth, 720). The younger Cook Alicia has already passed her sister in shutouts (Alicia, fourth, 16; Jennie, eighth, 9) and strikeouts (Alicia seventh, 276; Jennie eighth, 241), and for comparison here are her other career stats and UO all-time rankings: 86 games (#7), 393.1 innings (#8), 40 wins (#7), 42 complete games (#7), 16 shutouts (#4), 292 strikeouts (#7).
TOP DUCK
UO head coach Kathy Arendsen returns for her sixth season in Eugene and has directed Oregon to its most successful stretch in school history. She entered the 2008 season ranked first all-time among Duck softball mentors in winning percentage (.612, 183-116), followed by Nancy Plantz (.588, 20-14, 1980) and Teresa Wilson (.548, 126-104, 1986-89). The current Duck mentor’s 188 wins is only four shy of the all-time leader Wilson (192-172, .527, 1990-96).
Arendsen’s first season in ’03 was one of UO’s greatest when the Ducks tied for third in the Pac-10 (37-19, 10-11) and had one more Pac-10 win than the previous three years combined. UO continued to shine with several other of its finest seasons in 2004 (42-21, 10-11) and 2005 (36-25, 7-14), then raised the stakes even higher in ’07 (44-19). UO sprinted out to a 24-3 start thanks to a school-record 18-game win streak and top-10 national ranking, and later reached the regional final for the fourth time in her five seasons.
Prior to her arrival to Eugene, she resurrected the Mississippi State program in 1997 after a 10-year hiatus, and her Bulldogs twice made the regional final. She spent four seasons prior as the head coach at Yale as its winningest coach (90-73), and two seasons at Eastern Illinois (46-36, 1990-91) and one at Western Connecticut (18-10, 1983). As a player, she initially staked her name as one of the greatest pitchers in collegiate and U.S. history in a career that included 4,038 strikeouts, three Broderick (National Player of the Year) Awards and national titles for Texas Women’s University in 1979 and ’80. Afterwards, she pitched for the Raybestos Brakettes (Stratford, Conn.) and went 338-26, and staked 79 no-hitters, 42 perfect games, 265 shutouts and a 0.15 ERA. After her retirement, the Deerland, Mich., native was elected to the International Softball Hall of Fame, ASA Hall of Fame, Softball Hall of Fame, Cal State Chico Hall of Fame, Texas Women’s University Hall of Fame, Michigan ASA Hall of Fame and Grand Rapids Hall of Fame.
MORE LOVE FOR THE DUCK STAFF
Oregon’s recent success can also be tied to the continuity of one of the nation’s top staffs that includes associate head coach J. Gaudreau, Arendsen’s top assistant the past 14 seasons, and assistant coach Mick Hokanson who returns for his third season in Eugene and 17th overall in the collegiate ranks. The squad also added former pro centerfielder and Nebraska All-American Kim (Ogee) Harris as a volunteer coach just before the start of the season. A pair of All-Pac-10 picks from last year, Suzie Barnes and Ann Marie Topps, will serve as undergraduate coaches this year as they finish their degrees and help expedite the transition for a new class of Duck stars.
PRESEASON NATIONAL POLLS
USA Today/NFCA Division I Top 25 Preseason Poll
http://nfca.org/top25/index.php?cat_id=1
2007
Rank Team Record Pts Pvs
1 Arizona (27) 50-14-1 721 1
2 Texas A&M 46-14 581 7
3 Arizona State 54-17 575 8
4 Alabama 55-10 553 9
5 Oklahoma 55-8 522 11
6 Tennessee (1) 63-8 511 2
7 Northwestern 52-13 503 4
8 Baylor 51-16 486 5
9 LSU 55-12 463 10
10 DePaul 47-13 462 6
11 Washington 42-19 436 3
12 Michigan 47-12 400 13
13 Florida 50-22 386 14
14 UCLA (1) 37-18 381 18
15 Hawai'i 50-13 343 12
16 Virginia Tech 49-16 306 17
17 Georgia Tech 54-16 210 19
18 Oregon State 41-23 201 15
19 Stanford 35-21-1 197 20
20 Oregon 44-19 165 22
21 CS Fullerton 38-23 163 16
22 Texas 35-20 115 24
23 Ohio State 40-18 111 23
24 La.-Lafayette 46-18 84 NR
25 Missouri 40-24 76 25
Others receiving votes: Houston 75, South Carolina 74, Georgia 62, Fresno State 42, UMass 38, Creighton 23, Illinois State 23, Florida State 22, California 21, Mississippi State 16, NC State 12, Tennessee Tech 12, Loyola Marymount 8, Nebraska 7, Southern Illinois 7, BYU 7, Hofstra 5, North Carolina 5, Louisville 3, South Florida 3, UNLV 3, Texas Tech 2, Mississippi Valley State 1, Fordham 1, Florida Atlantic 1, Iowa 1
Note: The USA Today/NFCA Division I Top 25 Poll is voted on by NCAA Division I head coaches representing each conference. Final 2007 records are shown. First-place votes are in parentheses.
ESPN.com/USA Softball Collegiate Top 25
http://admin.usasoftball.com/folders.asp?uid=21
2007 Final
Rank Team Record Pts 2007 Ranking
1. Arizona (14) 50-14-1 487 1
2. Arizona St. (3) 54-17 468 7
3. Texas A&M (2) 46-14 465 8
4. Alabama 55-10 425 11
5. Oklahoma 55-8 410 9
6. Northwestern 52-13 346 4
7. LSU 55-12 325 10
8. DePaul 47-13 324 6
9. Baylor 51-16 319 5
10. UCLA (1) 37-18 304 18
11. Tennessee 63-8 285 2
12. Michigan 47-13 278 12
13. Florida 50-22 270 15
14. Washington 42-19 256 3
15. Virginia Tech 49-16 239 14
16. Hawaii 50-13 233 13
17. Stanford 35-21-1 162 21
18. Georgia Tech 54-16 135 16
19. Oregon State 41-23 127 17
20. La.-Lafayette 46-18 115 NR
21. Missouri 40-24 74 19
22. Ohio State 40-18 65 22
23. Oregon 44-19 63 23
T24. CS Fullerton 38-23 62 20
T24. Texas 35-20 62 NR
Parenthesis Denotes first place votes.
Others receiving votes: Massachusetts (21); South Carolina (18); California (17); Houston (16); Florida State (14); Fresno State (13); Creighton (13); Nebraska (13); Georgia (13); North Carolina (12); Louisville (7); Southern Illinois (6); Long Beach State (6); Loyola Marymount (6); BYU (6); South Florida (5); Illinois State (5); Mississippi State (4); NC State (2); UNLV (2); Cal Poly ? San Luis Obispo (2).
IN THE DUCK RECORD BOOKS
Sari-Jane Jenkins, Jr., LF, Salem, Ore.
Career Average - 3. .360 (146-406)
Season Average ? 7th, .396, 2007
Season Runs ? 5th, 48, 2007
Season Hits ? 2nd, 82, 2007
Season Doubles ? 2nd, 16, 2007
Season Stolen Bases ? 2nd, 38, 2007
Neena Bryant, So., CF, Placentia, Calif.
Season Doubles - 4th-t, 14, 2007
Season Home Runs ? 10th-t. 10, 2007
Season Runs Batted In ? 4th, 46, 2007
Season Extra Base Hits ? 5th, 25, 2007
Season Total Bases ? 9th-t, 104, 2007
Lovena Chaput, Sr., SS, Tualatin, Ore.
Career Doubles ? 9th, 30 (7th is 28)
Career Triples ? 11th, 7 (8th is 8)
Season Doubles - 10th-t, 12, 2006
Alicia Cook, Sr., P, Elmira, Ore.
Career Games ? 7th, 89 (6th is 114)
Career Complete Games ? 7thth, 43 (6th is 60)
Career Shutouts ? 4th, 17 (3rd is 21)
Career Innings ? 8th. Alicia Cook 408.2 (7th is 482)
Career Strikeouts ? 7th, 307 (6th is 316)
Career ERA (min. 200 IP) - 10. Alicia Cook 2.28 (133 ER, 408.2 innings)
Season Victories ? 4th, 23, 2007
Season Complete Games ? 10th-t. 23, 2007
Season Strikeouts ? 7th, 125, 2007
Melissa Rice, Jr., P, Colville, Wash.
Career Shutouts ? 8th, 9 (7th is 10)
Career Innings ? 11th, 332.2 (9th is 336.1)
Season Victories ? 6th, 21, 2007
Season Appearances ? 9th, 40, 2007
Starts ? 9th, 34, 2007
Season Complete Games ? 10th-t. 23, 2007
Season Strikeouts ? 9th, 114, 2007
OREGON SOFTBALL QUICK FACTS
Head Coach (Alma Mater): Kathy Arendsen (Chico State ?80)
Record at Oregon: 188-1118, Sixth Season
Overall Record: 560-393, 18 years
Assistant Coaches: J. Gaudreau (6th year), Mick Hokanson (3rd year)
2007 Overall Record: 44-19 / 2007 7-14 (7th)
2007 Conference Record (place): 7-14 (7th)
2007 NCAA Record: 2-2 (Regional, Columbia, S.C.)
Final NFCA / USA Softball Rankings (Season High): 22nd (10th) / 20th (11th)
Letterwinners Returning/Lost (Starters Returning/Lost): 12/4 (7/3)
Position Players Returning/Lost (Pitchers Returning/Lost): 11/4 (2/1)
Top 2007 Returnees
Sari-Jane Jenkins (Jr., OF, .396, 82 hits, 27 RBI, 38 SB)
Neena Bryant (So.,OF, .309, 58 hits, 10 HR, 46 RBI)
Alicia Cook (Sr., P, 2.06 ERA, 23-5, 10 SHO, 197 IP, 125 K)
Melissa Rice (Jr., P, 2.87 ERA, 21-14, 8 SHO, 202.2 IP, 114 K)
Redshirt (Olympic-CANADA): Jenn Salling (So., SS, .481, 76 Hits, 14 HR, 73 RBI)
Key 2007 Losses
Ann Marie Topps (DP, .2727, 19 HR, 61 RBI)
Suzie Barnes (2B, .311, 61 Hits, 41 SB)
Kristi Leiter (1B, .278, 42 hits, .988 fielding)
Newcomers (6)
Shelley Deadmond, Jr., OF, Chico, Calif.
Monique Fuiava, Fr., 1B, Las Vegas, Nev.
Ashley Kivett, Fr., C-3B, Yucaipa, Calif.
Cortney Kivett, Fr., 2B, Yucaipa, Calif.
Brittany Rumfelt, Fr., LHP, Lakeport, Calif.
Kaitlin Vitek, Fr., C-3B, Valencia, Calif.
DUCK PRONUNCIATION GUIDE
COACHES: Kathy Arendsen (AIR-un-son), J. Gaudreau (GOD-row), Mick Hokanson (HOKE-an-son).
PLAYERS: Hannah Barril (bah-RILL), Lovena Chaput (Luh-VEE-nuh CHAP-it), Monique Fuiava (foo-EE-ah-vah), Sari-Jane (SARRY-Jane) Jenkins, Ashley & Courtney Kivett (KIHV-et), Kaitlin Vitek (VEE-tek)
ROSTER BREAKDOWN
BY CLASS
Seniors: 5
Juniors: 3
Sophomores: 5
Freshmen: 5
BY POSITION
Infielders/Outfielders: 7/6
Pitchers/Catchers: 3/3
BY STATE
California: 7
Oregon: 6
Washington: 1
Alaska: 1
Colorado: 1
Nevada: 1
British Columbia: 1
AT BAT
Right/Left: 13/5
LETTERWINNERS
Returning (# of letters): 12
Neena Bryant: 2
Lovena Chaput: 3
Alicia Cook: 3
Joanna Gail: 3
Kayleen Hudson: 3
Sari-Jane Jenkins: 2
Amie Morris: 3
Melissa Rice: 2
Hannah Barril: 1
Neena Bryant: 1
Carlyn Re: 1
Jenn Salling: 1
Blair Williamson: 1
Lost: 3
Suzie Barnes: 4
Kristi Leiter: 4
Ann Marie Topps: 4
- www.GoDucks.com -
The Ducks will face three top-10 ranked teams in this week's NFCA national poll ? No. 2 Northwestern, No. 8 Oklahoma and No. 10 Baylor ? fellow returning NCAA veteran last year Long Island, and another talented West Coast team in Pacific. Baylor and Northwestern advanced to the eight-team College World Series last year, while Oklahoma is a frequent Super Regional advancer and the Big 12 Conference Tournament champion in ’07.
A challenging weekend slate is nothing new for the Ducks who have 37 games in ’08 against returning NCAA qualifiers, including five regional champions, three World Series participants and both NCAA championship participants.
The Ducks come off back-to-back wins last weekend to cap the Louisville Slugger Classic in Las Vegas ? 4-3 in extra innings over San Jose State, and 3-0 over returning South Carolina who beat UO in last year’s NCAA regional finale.
In UO’s previous stop in Palm Springs in the season opener two weeks ago (February 8-10), the Ducks went 2-3 with wins over NCAA veteran Cal Poly and Cal State Northridge, and four of their five games were against returning NCAA qualifiers.
Among recent heroes, senior right hander Alicia Cook has pitched two shutouts in her last four games, a 2-0 win vs. Northridge and a 3-0 victory over South Carolina. Sophomore left fielder Neena Bryant hit a game-tying homer and an extra inning RBI double vs. San Jose State to stake a .500 hitting mark for the tourney (8-16, 1 HR, 5 RBI). Two others also hit over .400 in the five games in Vegas ? junior left fielder Sari-Jane Jenkins (.500, 8-16, 2 doubles, 5 runs, 3 RBI, 5 stolen bases) and senior shortstop Lovena Chaput (.467, 7-15, 1 double, 2 home runs, 7 RBI).
Head Coach Kathy Arendsen is nearing a program milestone and her 188 wins is only four shy of the all-time leader Teresa Wilson (192, 1990-96).
Looking ahead, the Ducks are less two weeks from their home opener at Howe Field vs. Portland State, Wednesday, March, 5, at 2:30 p.m.
THIS WEEK’S GAME INFO
Tournament: Palm Springs Classic
Stadium: Big League Dreams Park (Fenway Park, Wrigley Field, Yankee Stadium)
Location: Cathedral City, Calif. (Palm Springs)
Dates: Thursday-Sunday, February 21-24
Host (Website): Oregon State ( www.OSUbeavers.com )
UO Weekend Opponents (2008 / 2007 Record) ? Ranking (NFCA / USA SB) & Team Notes
Thursday (2/21)
- No. 10 / No. 13 Baylor (3-1 ’08, 51-16 ?07) , 8 p.m. ? The Bears were College World Series participants last year and the Big 12 Conference regular season champions, and are led by Player of the Year nominee P/UT Kristen Shortridge (Website: www.BaylorBears.com ).
Friday (2/22)
- Long Island (3-2 ’08, 34-22 ?07), 1 p.m. ? The Blackbirds were an NCAA tourney qualifier in ’07 after they won the Northeastern Conference. (Website: www.LIUathletics.com ).
- No. 2 / No. 3 Northwestern (4-0 ’08, 52-13 ?07), 5:30 p.m. ? The returning World Series participants has two Player of the Year nominees ? Tammy Williams (last week’s national player of the week) and sophomore Nicole Pauly (Website: www.NUsports.com ).
Saturday (2/23)
- Michigan State (4-0 ’08, 33-26 ?07), 10 a.m. - Off to 4-0 start in ’08, the Spartans finished seventh in the Big Ten in ’07 (Website: www.MSUspartans.com ).
No. 8 / No. 6 Oklahoma (9-2 ’08, 55-8 ?07), 6 p.m. ? The returning Big 12 Champion and NCAA qualifier in ’07 is led by Player of the Year candidate Lauren Eckermann who is their top pitcher and one of their top hitters. (Website: www.SoonerSports.com ).
Sunday (2/24)
- Pacific (3-6 ?08, 36-24 ?07),1 p.m. ? After nine games in ’08, three players are batting .300 or better, and three more are hitting .285 or better, including Alyce Jorgensen (3 homers) (Website: www.PacificTigers.com ).
DUCK BATTING NOTES
- For the second straight week, three Ducks are batting.400 or better ? junior Sari-Jane Jenkins (.452, 14-31, 2 doubles, 5 RBI, 9 stolen bases), sophomore center fielder Neena Bryant (.419, 13-31, 4 doubles, 2 home runs, 6 RBI, 3 stolen bases) and senior shortstop Lovena Chaput (.400, 12-30, 2 home runs, 8 RBI).
- All three aforementioned sluggers had big weeks at the plate last weekend in Las Vegas ? Bryant (.500, 8-16, 1 home run, 5 RBI, 2 stolen bases), Jenkins (.500, 8-16, 2 doubles, 3 RBI) and Chaput (.467, 7-15, 2 home runs, 7 RBI).
- Five Ducks have homered in the first 10 games this year, three returnees - Chaput (2), Bryant (1) and senior Joanna Gail (1) ? and two freshmen ? first baseman Monique Fuiava (2, including a grand slam) and catcher Ashley Kivett (1).
- Two weeks ago, Fuiava hit two homers (including a grand slam) vs. Colorado State and her 6 RBIs is a team high in ’08, and only one off the school record (7) that four share. Others on the team with grand slams from prior seasons include Gail (2) and Hudson (2).
- Current Duck career home run leaders include redshirt Jenn Salling (14), Bryant (12), Hudson (12), Gail (11) and Chaput (8), and not far away is UO’s 10th-best career mark held by recent Duck star Beth Boskovich (19).
- Cortney Kivett went 4-4 in her first collegiate game with a double and a stolen base, and came back with a 2-4 day the next morning vs. Cal Poly and had a RBI and stolen base in both games.
- Chaput moved to ninth all-time for UO in doubles with one last weekend (30), and is two away from seventh (32)
- UO’s 15 hits vs. Colorado State tied a team record that has been matched many times, the most recent in a 6-5 win at Oregon State in 2007.
- Oregon’s 14 runs vs. Colorado State was the second-most under sixth-year head coach Kathy Arendsen (behind last year’s 15-8 win last year vs. College World Series qualifier and then-No. 8 Texas A&M). That 14-run tally was three shy of the school record (17 vs. Rutgers, 17, 1999).
DUCK PITCHING NOTES
- Last weekend on the mound in Vegas, all three Duck pitchers notched wins - Cook (1-1, 1.17 ERA, 15 strikeouts, 1 walk), Rice (1-1, 4.91 ERA, 6 strikeouts, 5 walks) and freshman Brittany Rumfelt (1-0, 3.18 ERA, 5 strikeouts, 2 walks).
- Senior pitcher Alicia Cook?s shutout vs. South Carolina last weekend was the 17th of her career and ranks her fourth all-time for UO. The 43rd career complete game also puts her alone in seventh in the Duck history books just ahead of former teammate Amy Harris (42). She is also top-10 ranked for UO in several other categories ? see later in the release for a lengthier recap.
- Cook owns UO’s season high in strikeouts (7 vs. South Carolina) and also had six vs. Colorado State and five in her outings vs. Tennessee and Northridge, as did junior Melissa Rice vs. Mississippi State
- Cook has UO’s longest scoreless inning streak (10.1) from earlier in the season, she currently has a run of 11 straight innings alive without an earned run in her last two appearance (she gave up two unearned runs in that stretch in the fourth innings vs. San Jose State last weekend).
- Rumfelt (2-0) has won both of her starts, a 13-2 win over Northwestern State last weekend (5 innings, 2 earned runs, 5 strikeouts, 1 walk) and a 14-4 win in her collegiate debut vs. returning NCAA qualifier Cal Poly (4 innings, 11 hits, 4 earned runs, 1 strikeout, 2 walks).
MISC. DUCK NOTES
- The Duck defense is fairly new look in '08, even for the returnees. Five players started multiple games the first weekend in the same tournament that didn’t do so in ’07 ? freshmen Monique Fuiava (1B-DP), Ashley (C) and Cortney Kivett (2B), sophomore Carlyn Re (1B) and redshirt senior Kayleen Hudson (RF-DP). Sophomore Blair Williamson (RF) started multiple games in a tournament only once last year, while three of UO’s players have started at different positions than they did in the non-conference slate in ’07 ? Chaput (SS in ?08, LF in ?07), Jenkins (LF in ?08, CF in ’07) and Bryant (CF in ?08, RF in ’07).
- Six Ducks have started all 10 games this year ? Hudson (RF-DP), Jenkins (LF), Cortney Kivett (2B), Neena Bryant (CF) and Chaput (SS)
THIS WEEK’S SCOUTING REPORT (Rankings NFCA / USA Softball0
No. 10 / No. 13 Baylor (3-1 ’08 / 51-16 ?07): The Bears went 51-16 last year and staked the Big 12’s top regular season mark in ’07 (14-3). BU ended the year ranked fifth in both national polls, than advanced to the College World Series en route to a 6-3 postseason mark, and six starters are back from last year’s squad along with two pitchers. Top returnees from last year’s stat sheet include USA Softball Player of the Year preseason nominee and sophomore utility player/pitcher Kirsten Shortridge (.340, 55 hits, 3 doubles, 2 triples, 3 homers, 18 RBI, 14 stolen bases), junior infielder Brette Reagan (.341, 61 hits, 10 doubles, 10 home runs, 46 RBI, 45 walks, 11 stolen bases), sophomore utility player Nicole Wesley (.317, 57 hits, 19 RBI, 27 stolen bases), sophomore utility player Tiffany Wesley (.291, 62 hits, 5 doubles, 9 RBI, 36 stolen bases), sophomore catcher Courtney Oberg (.287, 47 hits, 7 homers, 34 RBI) , while the team’s top returning pitcher is Shortridge (17-6, 2.14 ERA, 167.0 innings, 125 strikeouts, 53 walks, 131 hits). Head Coach Glenn Moore is in his eighth season and began the season with a 303-138 career mark. 2008 Offensive Statistic Leaders (4 games): Jordan Daniels (.643, 9-14, 2 doubles, 3 home runs, 7 RBI), KJ Freeland (.500., 2-4), Nicole Wesley (.417, 5-12, 1 RBI, 5 stolen bases), Maritza Martinez (.400, 2-5, 1 RBI), Kirsten Shortridge (.375, 6-16, 6 stolen bases), Tiffany Wesley (.357., 5-14, 4 RBI), Brette Reagen (.333., 3-9, 4 RBI, 5 walks), Brette Reagan (.333, 3-9, 1 double, 1 triple, 4 RBI). Pitching Leaders: Jenny Isham (2-0, 0.00 ERA, 10.0 innings, 4 strikeouts, 3 walks, 6 hits), Kirsten Shortridge (1-0, 2.19 ERA, 12.1 innings, 3 earned runs, 8 strikeouts, 1 walks, 11 hits).
Long Island (3-2 ’08, 34-22 ?07): The Blackbirds went 34-22 last year and were the 2007 Northeast Conference Champions with a 16-2 mark, then went 1-2 in their NCAA Regional. Head Coach Roy Kortmann returns for his 14th year at the helm and staked a 367-283-2 mark in his prior seasons. 2008 Offensive Statistic Leaders (5 games): Celina Castillo (.375, 6 hits, 1RBI), Chelsea Martinson (.308, 4 hits, 2 RBI), Lauren Kemp (.286, 2 hits, 1 double). Pitching Leaders: Jenny Giles (1-2, 0.86 ERA, 21 innings, 15 strikeouts, 4 walks), Blaire Porter (2-0, 1.06 ERA, 17 innings, 23 strikeouts, 4 walks).
Michigan State (4-0 ’08, 33-26 ?07): MSU welcomed back six starters and three pitchers from last year, and top returnees from ’07 are USA National Team member and redshirt freshman Bianca Mejia (a redshirt in ’07), senior third baseman/catcher Caitlin Mahoney (.309, 12 HR, 47 RBI), pitcher Lesley Noel (.327 ERA, 143 innings, 86 strikeouts), senior outfielder Nikki Nicosia (.357, 25 RBI, 21 SB), senior utility player Traci Nicosia (.352, 31 RBI, 15 doubles) and junior catcher Kara Weigle (.356, 48 RBI, 14 SB). Head Coach Jacquie Joseph is in her 15th season in East Lansing and entered the season with a 445-372-1 record with the Spartans, and last year’s team finished seventh in the Big Ten. Current Season Offensive Statistic Leaders (4 games): Caitlin Mahoney (.462, 6 hits, 1 double, 6 RBI), Nikki Nicosia (.455, 5 hits, 7 runs, 1 2B, 2 RBI, 3 BB), Jessica LeFevre (.444, 4 hits, 2 SB), Gina Mondo (.417, 5 hits), Kara Weigle (.400, 4 hits, 3 RBI, 4 sacrifice hits). Pitching Leaders: Shae Bass (0.82 ERA, 11 innings, 8 hits, 6 strikeouts, 4 walks), Lesley Noel (1.38, 1-0, 13 innings, 8 hits, 12 strikeouts, 2 walks).
No. 2 / No. 3 Northwestern (4-0 ’08, 52-13 ?07): Junior shortstop Tammy Williams was tabbed the NFCA National Player of the Week on Tuesday and is a USA Softball Player of the Year preseason nominee with sophomore second baseman Nicole Pauly. Last year Williams was a First-Team All-American and a All-World Series Tournament and All-Big Ten selection after she posted school records in hits (91) and runs (73), and hit 30 career homers her first two years. Pauly was an All-Mideast Region First Team pick and Big Ten Freshman of the year. Her 14 homers in ’07 tied an NU freshman record and her 62 RBIs was the second-most in school history. Junior infielder Jessica Rigas was an All-Big Ten Second-Team pick, and senior third baseman Darcy Sengeald is a two-time Big Ten All-Tournament Team selection. Sophomore pitcher Lauren Delaney was an All-Mideast Region and third-team All-Big Ten pick last year (19-2 1.73 ERA). Head Coach Kate Drohan is in her seventh season in Evanston and owned a 238-103-1 mark prior to the ’08 seasno. Current Hitting Leaders (4 games): Williams (.786 average, 11-14, 1 HR, 2 RBI), Nicole Pauly (.500, 7-14, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 3 BB), Kelly Dyer (.462, 6-13, 1 2B, 1HR, 2 RBI, 2BB), Erin Dyer (.364, 4-11, 1 HR, 4 RBI), Michelle Batts (4-4, 5-14, 1 HR, 8 RBI). Pitching Leaders: Lauren Delaney (3-0, 3 CG, 6.00 ERA, 21.0 innings, 16 hits, 18 runs, 32 strikeouts, 21 walks), Jessica Smith (1-0, 1.17, 6.0 innings, 3 strikeouts).
No. 8 / No. 6 Oklahoma (9-2 ’08, 55-8 ?07): OU returns seven starters and three All-Americans from last year’s 55-8 squad that qualified for the Super Regional and was the Big 12 Tournament Champion. Top players statistically back from last season include senior outfielder Susan Ogden (.381, 56 hits, 3 home runs, 36 RBI, 24 walks), sophomore utility player Amber Flores (.325, 54 hits, 8 home runs, 41 RBI, 26 walks). On the mound, senior right-hander Lauren Eckermann is a USA Softball Player of the Year preseason nominee based on last year’s numbers (37-5, 12 shutouts, 274 innings, 359 strikeouts, 50 walks) and junior left-hander D.J. Mathis is another top returning pitcher (2.60 ERA, 12-3, 3 shutouts, 97 innings, 88 strikeouts, 34 walks). Head Coach Patty Gasso returns for her 14th season in Norman and sported a 639-208-2 record prior to the ’08 season opener. 2008 Season Offensive Statistic Leaders (11 games): Traci Dickenson (.476 average, 1 home run, 10 hits, 10 walks), Amber Flores (.375, 12 hits, 3 home runs, 9 RBI, 2 stolen bases), Savannah Long (.323, 10 hits, 1 HR, 7 RBI). Pitching Leaders: Lauren Eckermann (3.08, 3-2, 25 innings, 19 strikeouts, 5 walks), D.J. Mathis (6-0, 2 shutouts, 39.1 innings, 45 strikeouts, 12 walks)
Pacific (3-6 ?08, 36-24 ?07): Pacific returns six starters from last year’s 36-24 squad that placed fifth in the Big West Conference (5-5). Key returnees from last year include three All-Big West Second Team selections - junior right-hander Chelsea Engle (19 wins, 2.69 ERA), junior second baseman Casey Goldsand (.367, 58 hits) and senior pitcher Alyce Jorgensen (.281 average, 8-5). Head Coach Brian Kolze is in his 16th season and entered the year with a 476-368-1 record. 2008 Season Statistic Leaders (9 games): Lauren Weyman (.400, 10-25, 1 double, 4 RBI), Mandy Hickman (.364, 4-11, 1 home run, 2 RBI), Britt Hendrickson (.316, 6-19, 2 doubles, 3 RBI), Kellee Wilson (.296, 8-27, 2 home runs, 10 RBI, 3 walks), Casey Goldsand (.292, 7-24, 4 RBI, 2 walks), Alyce Jorgensen (.286, 8-28, 3 home runs, 5 RBI, 2 walks). Pitching: Chelsea Engle (2-2, 1.54 ERA, 27.1 innings, 11 runs, 23 strikeouts, 10 walks, 26 hits), Heidi Helberg (1-1, 4.81 ERA, 16 innings, 3 strikeouts, 9 walks, 14 hits).
UO SEASON PREVIEW
In 2007, the Ducks seek their fifth postseason trip under sixth-year head coach Kathy Arendsen, buoyed by the memories from an often-magical ’07 season. UO racked up 44 victories ? second most in school history ? and a school record 18-game early season win streak that put the Ducks in the top 10 in the national polls in the opening months of the schedule.
TOP DUCK RETURNEES
The Ducks welcome back many of last year’s stars from one of its deepest teams ever. Junior outfielder Sari-Jane Jenkins (.396, 82 hits, 27 RBI, 38 SB) and senior third baseman Joanna Gail (.281, Defensive MVP .971) were All-Region Second Team picks. Jenkins’ sophomore season totals in hits (82), stolen bases (38) and doubles (16) ranked second most in school history and her hits and doubles totals ranked third and first in the Pac-10 last year.
In ’07, the Salem, Ore., product Jenkins was also a Pac-10 Second-Team pick, while Gail and sophomore outfielder Neena Bryant (.309, 14 doubles, 10 HR’s, 46 RBI) were honorable mention all-league selections. Bryant led the gold-medal winning U.S. junior national team in batting (,571) last summer in the World Junior Championships, and had several top-10 season all-time marks for UO (see end of release).
Senior shortstop Lovena Chaput was an All-Pac-10 Second Team pick in 2005 and an ASA All-America shortstop two summers ago. Redshirt senior Kayleen Hudson missed last year, and had a career high .293 average in ’06 and ranked second on the team in slugging (.455) and third in on-base (.362) and home runs (4).
Arendsen’s pitching staff returns both of last year’s 20-game winners - senior Alicia Cook (23-5, 10 shutouts, 125 strikeouts) and junior Melissa Rice (21-14, eight shutouts, 114 strikeouts) ? the first duo to notch the feat in school history.
STAT WATCH ? UO ALL-TIME CHARTS
Lovena Chaput, Sr., Tualatin, Ore.
Career Doubles ? 10th, 30 ? needs two to tie for 7th (32)
Career Triples ? 11th, 7 ? needs 1 to tie for 8th (8)
Alicia Cook, Sr., Elmira, Ore.
Career Strikeouts ? 7th, 307 ? needs nine to tie for 6th (316)
Melissa Rice
Career Shutouts ? 8th, 9 ? needs 1 to tie for 7th (10)
Career Innings ? 11th, 333.2 - needs 2.2 to tie for 9th (336.1)
LAST WEEK’S GAME RECAPS
Louisville Slugger Classic
Stephanie Lynn Craig Park
Las Vegas, Nevada
Friday-Sunday, February 15-17, 2008
2/17 ? Oregon 4, San Jose State 3. The Ducks celebrated a 4-3 comeback win in eight innings Sunday to cap the tournament with a 3-2 mark. UO drew even 2-2 in the sixth inning when sophomore centerfielder Neena Bryant hit a solo home run - her second four-bagger of the season - over the right center wall. In the top of the eighth, junior left fielder Sari-Jane Jenkins added the game-winner with a single to score freshman pinch runner Ashley Kivett from third base. Jenkins stole second and scored UO’s final run two batters later when Bryant doubled to left field. UO got out to a 1-0 lead in the second inning on a towering homer by Chaput over the right center field wall - her second of the tourney and season to lead off. On the mound, junior Melissa Rice notched her first win (1-2) and worked the final four innings and gave up four hits and no earned runs and struck out three and walked one. Senior starter Alicia Cook pitched the first four innings and gave up four hits, walked none and struck out none, and both of SJSU’s runs were unearned. San Jose State’s two runs in the fourth inning were made possible by an error from Cook who fielded a hard come-back chopper up the middle, but threw wide of second base in a potential double play for an error. SJSU batters followed with a fielder’s choice and two base hits among its next three batters ? the final of which was thrown out at first base by right fielder Kayleen Hudson ? before Cook ended the inning with another groundout.
2/16 ? Oregon 3, South Carolina 0. Senior Alicia Cook authored an impressive 3-0 shutout over the returning NCAA Super Regional South Carolina qualifier to cap the tourney’s second day. The Ducks shook off an 11-3 loss just before to Bradley and were re-energized by Cook who struck out a season-high eight, walked only one and gave up two hits in seven innings. Her win also avenged a comeback win by the Gamecocks in last year’s regional championship. Oregon’s offense proved opportunistic, scoring a run in the top half of the first inning, then adding two more in the seventh inning. Sophomore centerfielder Neena Bryant knocked in UO’s first two runs in the first and seventh inning and after the second at-bat, senior shortstop Lovena Chaput smacked a single down the right field line to score Bryant for the game’s final run. Bryant ended 3-4 with 2 RBI, while Chaput went 2-4 with an RBI in the clean-up spot. Including Saturday’s earlier game vs. Bradley, Bryant and Chaput went 4-6 and 4-7, respectively, and each had 2 RBI, while Sari-Jane Jenkins was 3-6 with two runs scored. In the field, Duck right fielder Kayleen Hudson’s defense played a key role as she threw out the leadoff hitter in the third inning trying to turn a single into a double, and followed with a spectacular running catch in deep right center in the fourth inning to take away a multi-base hit with only one out.
2/16 ? Bradley 11, Oregon 3. Bradley, up 2-1 heading into the fourth inning, erupted for nine runs to beat the Ducks in five innings as starter Ashley Birdsong (3-0) scattered seven hits, gave up two earned runs, struck out five and walked none. UO stranded six runners in the five-inning contests, and Duck RBIs came from a double by junior left fielder Sari Jane Jenkins to left center, and singles by Bryant by Chaput. In 4 1/3 innings of work, Rice (0-2) gave up nine hits, four earned runs, walked two and struck out two, while Brittany Rumfelt faced seven batters and got two outs in the fourth inning.
2/15 ? Kansas, 6, Oregon 1. Freshman catcher Ashley Kivett became the third different Duck to hit a homer in the first seven games, while the Ducks finished the first day of the tourney, 1-1. Kivett’s solo shot over the left center field wall was her third extra-base hit (along with two doubles the previous weekend) in her first 12 collegiate at-bats and drew the Ducks within, 2-1. KU (6-1), however, added single runs the fifth and sixth innings, and two more in the seventh. The Ducks had three this at the plate from redshirt senior right fielder Kayleen Hudson (1-3), sophomore centerfielder Neena Bryant (1-3) and Kivett (1-3). Senior right-hander Alicia Cook pitched 4 1/3 innings and gave up two earned runs, six hits, struck out a season-high seven batters and walked none for the second time this season. Junior right-hander Melissa Rice pitched the final 2 2/3 innings, and allowed five hits, two earned runs, struck out one and walked two.
2/15 ? Oregon 13, Northwestern State 2. The Ducks kicked of the tourney with their second run rule victory of the year after they scored a run in the second inning, four in the third, three in the fourth and five in the fifth. Seniors Lovena Chaput and Joanna Gail both hit their first home runs of the season and had multiple hits, as well as Jenkins (3-4, 1 RBI, 2 runs) and Cortney Kivett (2-4, 1 run). Freshman left-hander Brittany Rumfelt (2-0) pitched a five-inning complete game and struck out five and walked only one, and both of the Demons’ runs were earned.
IN THE POLLS
In the national preseason polls, UO held its place among the country’s elite programs with 20th and 23rd ?place rankings in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association and USA Softball polls, respectively. Returning national champion Arizona led both rankings and was among seven Pac-10 teams spotted, and their rankings follow: Arizona (1st / 1st ), Arizona State (3rd / 2nd), UCLA (14th / 10th ), Washington (11th / 14th), Stanford (19th / 17th) and Oregon State (18th / 19th).
A RIGOROUS SCHEDULE
The Ducks typically play one of the nation’s tougher schedules, and will again in ?08 with 37 games against returning NCAA qualifiers from last season. Not surprisingly, those opponents include five regional champions, three World Series participants and both championship participants. The Ducks will spend nearly the entire first six weeks of the season on the road at a pair of tournaments in both Palm Springs (Cathedral Kickoff 2/8-10, Palm Springs Classic 2/21-24) and Las Vegas (Louisville Slugger Classic, 2/15-17, Las Vegas Invitational 3/7-9) and another in San Diego (San Diego Classic, 2/28-3/2).
UO’s home opener at Howe Field is slated for Wednesday, March 5 at 2:30 p.m. The following weeks, the Eugene-Springfield community will get plenty of face time with its favorite team with most of UO’s next 10 games in the cozy confines of Howe Field as part of the Cascade Clash, March 13-25. Afterwards the Ducks open the Pac-10 season on the road at Washington and UCLA (3/28-30), then have their first Civil War showdown vs. Oregon State, Wednesday, April 2, soon followed by games vs. Arizona State and Arizona (4/4-6). The Ducks warp up the season five weeks later at home vs. UCLA and Washington (5/8-10)
2007 DUCK SEASON REVIEW
The Ducks advanced to the regional final for the fourth time under Arendsen last May after opening round wins in the postseason vs. Penn State (4-0) and South Carolina (8-4), before losing twice afterwards to the host Gamecocks. UO soared through the non-conference stretch and climbed as high as 10th and 11th, respectively, in the national polls thanks to a 24-3 start that included a school record 18-game winning streak. Afterwards, UO continued to fly high en route to a 44-19 record and second-most wins in school history.
Individually, the Ducks amassed a school record seven All-Pac-10 honors, led by NFCA Player of the Year finalist and redshirt sophomore shortstop Jenn Salling. The first-year Duck also nabbed UO’s first Pac-10 Newcomer of the Year award after she ranked second nationally in batting (.481), and added school records in RBI (73), slugging (.873) and walks (46). A pair of then-seniors ? Suzie Barnes and Ann Marie Topps - were tabbed to the Pac-10 All-Second Team. Barnes handily broke season records for stolen bases (41) and runs (64) and Topps crushed 19 home runs, three more than the previous Duck all-time best.
SUMMER FUN
After last year’s record-breaking collegiate season, the Ducks continued to shine on the club, national and international stages. Last August, redshirt sophomore shortstop Jenn Salling started at shortstop and hit in the middle of the Canadian National Team’s lineup in the China Cup in Beijing, China. Afterwards, the Port Coquitlam, B.C. native was selected to Canada’s Olympic Team ? one of the top medal hopefuls this August. Senior Joanna Gail started at third base for the Greek National Team in their Europe-Africa Olympic qualifying tournament as the squad finished tied for fourth and celebrated wins over numerous countries, including the Czech Republic, England and Holland. The Poway, Calif., native made her Olympic debut back in ’04 in Athens before her freshman season. Sophomore Neena Bryant was one of the top hitters on the gold-medal U.S. team at the World Junior Championships last June. The U.S. team was unbeaten (10-0), and the outfielder from Placentia, Calif., led the team in batting (.571) in her nine games and her other offensive numbers follow: 7-12, 1 double, 1 triple, 8 RBI, .545 slugging. In the summer season, Gail and Jenkins started for the ASA national champion Brakettes team (Stratford, Conn.), and Jenkins was an All-America choice.
NEW FACES
The Ducks welcome six newcomers that will challenge for immediate duty ? junior transfer Shelley Deadmond (outfield) and freshmen Monique Fuiava (first base), twins Ashley and Cortney Kivett (catcher / second base), Brittany Rumfelt (pitcher) and Kaitlin Vitek (catcher). Cortney Kivett will likely start at second baseman and replace All-Pac-10 pick Suzie Barnes, and Rumfelt is expected to boost the team on the mound and at the plate. Monique Fuiava will likely share duties at first base with sophomore Carlyn Re, and Ashley Kivett and Vitek stabilize UO’s future behind the plate as they mentor under senior and two-year starter Aime Morris. Deadmond was an all-league honorable mention at Butte Junior College and could play any outfield position.
SISTER ACT
Freshman Kivett twins ? Ashley and Cortney ? aren’t the only Ducks with sibling connections. Senior pitcher Alicia Cook is the younger sister of former Duck great Jennie Cook. The elder Cook lettered from 1996-99 and ranks top 10 for UO in games (second, 140), wins (third, 59), complete games (third, 82), innings (fourth, 720). The younger Cook Alicia has already passed her sister in shutouts (Alicia, fourth, 16; Jennie, eighth, 9) and strikeouts (Alicia seventh, 276; Jennie eighth, 241), and for comparison here are her other career stats and UO all-time rankings: 86 games (#7), 393.1 innings (#8), 40 wins (#7), 42 complete games (#7), 16 shutouts (#4), 292 strikeouts (#7).
TOP DUCK
UO head coach Kathy Arendsen returns for her sixth season in Eugene and has directed Oregon to its most successful stretch in school history. She entered the 2008 season ranked first all-time among Duck softball mentors in winning percentage (.612, 183-116), followed by Nancy Plantz (.588, 20-14, 1980) and Teresa Wilson (.548, 126-104, 1986-89). The current Duck mentor’s 188 wins is only four shy of the all-time leader Wilson (192-172, .527, 1990-96).
Arendsen’s first season in ’03 was one of UO’s greatest when the Ducks tied for third in the Pac-10 (37-19, 10-11) and had one more Pac-10 win than the previous three years combined. UO continued to shine with several other of its finest seasons in 2004 (42-21, 10-11) and 2005 (36-25, 7-14), then raised the stakes even higher in ’07 (44-19). UO sprinted out to a 24-3 start thanks to a school-record 18-game win streak and top-10 national ranking, and later reached the regional final for the fourth time in her five seasons.
Prior to her arrival to Eugene, she resurrected the Mississippi State program in 1997 after a 10-year hiatus, and her Bulldogs twice made the regional final. She spent four seasons prior as the head coach at Yale as its winningest coach (90-73), and two seasons at Eastern Illinois (46-36, 1990-91) and one at Western Connecticut (18-10, 1983). As a player, she initially staked her name as one of the greatest pitchers in collegiate and U.S. history in a career that included 4,038 strikeouts, three Broderick (National Player of the Year) Awards and national titles for Texas Women’s University in 1979 and ’80. Afterwards, she pitched for the Raybestos Brakettes (Stratford, Conn.) and went 338-26, and staked 79 no-hitters, 42 perfect games, 265 shutouts and a 0.15 ERA. After her retirement, the Deerland, Mich., native was elected to the International Softball Hall of Fame, ASA Hall of Fame, Softball Hall of Fame, Cal State Chico Hall of Fame, Texas Women’s University Hall of Fame, Michigan ASA Hall of Fame and Grand Rapids Hall of Fame.
MORE LOVE FOR THE DUCK STAFF
Oregon’s recent success can also be tied to the continuity of one of the nation’s top staffs that includes associate head coach J. Gaudreau, Arendsen’s top assistant the past 14 seasons, and assistant coach Mick Hokanson who returns for his third season in Eugene and 17th overall in the collegiate ranks. The squad also added former pro centerfielder and Nebraska All-American Kim (Ogee) Harris as a volunteer coach just before the start of the season. A pair of All-Pac-10 picks from last year, Suzie Barnes and Ann Marie Topps, will serve as undergraduate coaches this year as they finish their degrees and help expedite the transition for a new class of Duck stars.
PRESEASON NATIONAL POLLS
USA Today/NFCA Division I Top 25 Preseason Poll
http://nfca.org/top25/index.php?cat_id=1
2007
Rank Team Record Pts Pvs
1 Arizona (27) 50-14-1 721 1
2 Texas A&M 46-14 581 7
3 Arizona State 54-17 575 8
4 Alabama 55-10 553 9
5 Oklahoma 55-8 522 11
6 Tennessee (1) 63-8 511 2
7 Northwestern 52-13 503 4
8 Baylor 51-16 486 5
9 LSU 55-12 463 10
10 DePaul 47-13 462 6
11 Washington 42-19 436 3
12 Michigan 47-12 400 13
13 Florida 50-22 386 14
14 UCLA (1) 37-18 381 18
15 Hawai'i 50-13 343 12
16 Virginia Tech 49-16 306 17
17 Georgia Tech 54-16 210 19
18 Oregon State 41-23 201 15
19 Stanford 35-21-1 197 20
20 Oregon 44-19 165 22
21 CS Fullerton 38-23 163 16
22 Texas 35-20 115 24
23 Ohio State 40-18 111 23
24 La.-Lafayette 46-18 84 NR
25 Missouri 40-24 76 25
Others receiving votes: Houston 75, South Carolina 74, Georgia 62, Fresno State 42, UMass 38, Creighton 23, Illinois State 23, Florida State 22, California 21, Mississippi State 16, NC State 12, Tennessee Tech 12, Loyola Marymount 8, Nebraska 7, Southern Illinois 7, BYU 7, Hofstra 5, North Carolina 5, Louisville 3, South Florida 3, UNLV 3, Texas Tech 2, Mississippi Valley State 1, Fordham 1, Florida Atlantic 1, Iowa 1
Note: The USA Today/NFCA Division I Top 25 Poll is voted on by NCAA Division I head coaches representing each conference. Final 2007 records are shown. First-place votes are in parentheses.
ESPN.com/USA Softball Collegiate Top 25
http://admin.usasoftball.com/folders.asp?uid=21
2007 Final
Rank Team Record Pts 2007 Ranking
1. Arizona (14) 50-14-1 487 1
2. Arizona St. (3) 54-17 468 7
3. Texas A&M (2) 46-14 465 8
4. Alabama 55-10 425 11
5. Oklahoma 55-8 410 9
6. Northwestern 52-13 346 4
7. LSU 55-12 325 10
8. DePaul 47-13 324 6
9. Baylor 51-16 319 5
10. UCLA (1) 37-18 304 18
11. Tennessee 63-8 285 2
12. Michigan 47-13 278 12
13. Florida 50-22 270 15
14. Washington 42-19 256 3
15. Virginia Tech 49-16 239 14
16. Hawaii 50-13 233 13
17. Stanford 35-21-1 162 21
18. Georgia Tech 54-16 135 16
19. Oregon State 41-23 127 17
20. La.-Lafayette 46-18 115 NR
21. Missouri 40-24 74 19
22. Ohio State 40-18 65 22
23. Oregon 44-19 63 23
T24. CS Fullerton 38-23 62 20
T24. Texas 35-20 62 NR
Parenthesis Denotes first place votes.
Others receiving votes: Massachusetts (21); South Carolina (18); California (17); Houston (16); Florida State (14); Fresno State (13); Creighton (13); Nebraska (13); Georgia (13); North Carolina (12); Louisville (7); Southern Illinois (6); Long Beach State (6); Loyola Marymount (6); BYU (6); South Florida (5); Illinois State (5); Mississippi State (4); NC State (2); UNLV (2); Cal Poly ? San Luis Obispo (2).
IN THE DUCK RECORD BOOKS
Sari-Jane Jenkins, Jr., LF, Salem, Ore.
Career Average - 3. .360 (146-406)
Season Average ? 7th, .396, 2007
Season Runs ? 5th, 48, 2007
Season Hits ? 2nd, 82, 2007
Season Doubles ? 2nd, 16, 2007
Season Stolen Bases ? 2nd, 38, 2007
Neena Bryant, So., CF, Placentia, Calif.
Season Doubles - 4th-t, 14, 2007
Season Home Runs ? 10th-t. 10, 2007
Season Runs Batted In ? 4th, 46, 2007
Season Extra Base Hits ? 5th, 25, 2007
Season Total Bases ? 9th-t, 104, 2007
Lovena Chaput, Sr., SS, Tualatin, Ore.
Career Doubles ? 9th, 30 (7th is 28)
Career Triples ? 11th, 7 (8th is 8)
Season Doubles - 10th-t, 12, 2006
Alicia Cook, Sr., P, Elmira, Ore.
Career Games ? 7th, 89 (6th is 114)
Career Complete Games ? 7thth, 43 (6th is 60)
Career Shutouts ? 4th, 17 (3rd is 21)
Career Innings ? 8th. Alicia Cook 408.2 (7th is 482)
Career Strikeouts ? 7th, 307 (6th is 316)
Career ERA (min. 200 IP) - 10. Alicia Cook 2.28 (133 ER, 408.2 innings)
Season Victories ? 4th, 23, 2007
Season Complete Games ? 10th-t. 23, 2007
Season Strikeouts ? 7th, 125, 2007
Melissa Rice, Jr., P, Colville, Wash.
Career Shutouts ? 8th, 9 (7th is 10)
Career Innings ? 11th, 332.2 (9th is 336.1)
Season Victories ? 6th, 21, 2007
Season Appearances ? 9th, 40, 2007
Starts ? 9th, 34, 2007
Season Complete Games ? 10th-t. 23, 2007
Season Strikeouts ? 9th, 114, 2007
OREGON SOFTBALL QUICK FACTS
Head Coach (Alma Mater): Kathy Arendsen (Chico State ?80)
Record at Oregon: 188-1118, Sixth Season
Overall Record: 560-393, 18 years
Assistant Coaches: J. Gaudreau (6th year), Mick Hokanson (3rd year)
2007 Overall Record: 44-19 / 2007 7-14 (7th)
2007 Conference Record (place): 7-14 (7th)
2007 NCAA Record: 2-2 (Regional, Columbia, S.C.)
Final NFCA / USA Softball Rankings (Season High): 22nd (10th) / 20th (11th)
Letterwinners Returning/Lost (Starters Returning/Lost): 12/4 (7/3)
Position Players Returning/Lost (Pitchers Returning/Lost): 11/4 (2/1)
Top 2007 Returnees
Sari-Jane Jenkins (Jr., OF, .396, 82 hits, 27 RBI, 38 SB)
Neena Bryant (So.,OF, .309, 58 hits, 10 HR, 46 RBI)
Alicia Cook (Sr., P, 2.06 ERA, 23-5, 10 SHO, 197 IP, 125 K)
Melissa Rice (Jr., P, 2.87 ERA, 21-14, 8 SHO, 202.2 IP, 114 K)
Redshirt (Olympic-CANADA): Jenn Salling (So., SS, .481, 76 Hits, 14 HR, 73 RBI)
Key 2007 Losses
Ann Marie Topps (DP, .2727, 19 HR, 61 RBI)
Suzie Barnes (2B, .311, 61 Hits, 41 SB)
Kristi Leiter (1B, .278, 42 hits, .988 fielding)
Newcomers (6)
Shelley Deadmond, Jr., OF, Chico, Calif.
Monique Fuiava, Fr., 1B, Las Vegas, Nev.
Ashley Kivett, Fr., C-3B, Yucaipa, Calif.
Cortney Kivett, Fr., 2B, Yucaipa, Calif.
Brittany Rumfelt, Fr., LHP, Lakeport, Calif.
Kaitlin Vitek, Fr., C-3B, Valencia, Calif.
DUCK PRONUNCIATION GUIDE
COACHES: Kathy Arendsen (AIR-un-son), J. Gaudreau (GOD-row), Mick Hokanson (HOKE-an-son).
PLAYERS: Hannah Barril (bah-RILL), Lovena Chaput (Luh-VEE-nuh CHAP-it), Monique Fuiava (foo-EE-ah-vah), Sari-Jane (SARRY-Jane) Jenkins, Ashley & Courtney Kivett (KIHV-et), Kaitlin Vitek (VEE-tek)
ROSTER BREAKDOWN
BY CLASS
Seniors: 5
Juniors: 3
Sophomores: 5
Freshmen: 5
BY POSITION
Infielders/Outfielders: 7/6
Pitchers/Catchers: 3/3
BY STATE
California: 7
Oregon: 6
Washington: 1
Alaska: 1
Colorado: 1
Nevada: 1
British Columbia: 1
AT BAT
Right/Left: 13/5
LETTERWINNERS
Returning (# of letters): 12
Neena Bryant: 2
Lovena Chaput: 3
Alicia Cook: 3
Joanna Gail: 3
Kayleen Hudson: 3
Sari-Jane Jenkins: 2
Amie Morris: 3
Melissa Rice: 2
Hannah Barril: 1
Neena Bryant: 1
Carlyn Re: 1
Jenn Salling: 1
Blair Williamson: 1
Lost: 3
Suzie Barnes: 4
Kristi Leiter: 4
Ann Marie Topps: 4
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