Ducks Square Off Vs. Vikings in Home Opener
EUGENE ? The University of Oregon softball team (13-9) looks forward to its home season opener at Howe Field Wednesday, March 4 vs. Portland State (7-13) at 2:30 p.m., then travels to its final away tournament of the non-conference slate, the UNLV Invitational, Friday-Sunday, March 7-9.
The Ducks’ second trip to Vegas in three weeks includes one top-25 opponent, No. 20 Ohio State (11-4), and another that was previously ranked this year and is still receiving votes, host UNLV (13-8-1). UO has three games vs. returning NCAA qualifiers ? one vs. the Buckeyes and two against Southern Utah.
After this weekend, Oregon returns home for 10 games in the Cascade Clash in five doubleheaders between Thursday-Tuesday, March 13-25 vs. Northern Illinois (3/13), Mississippi Valley State (3/14), Utah State (3/15), Idaho State (3/23) and UC Davis (3/25).
The Ducks return after a 4-2 mark in San Diego last week that included wins over '07 NCAA qualifier Harvard (6-0), Cal State Bakersfield (7-6), James Madison (7-2) and San Diego (2-0), and narrow losses to NCAA veteran and No. 22 Fresno State (4-1) and No. 20 San Diego State (3-2).
Senior third baseman Joanna Gail and freshman second baseman Cortney Kivett have a pair of team-high nine-game hitting streaks alive. Gail socked three homers last weekend in San Diego ? just south of her hometown of Poway, Calif. - to take the team season lead (4), and senior right fielder Kayleen Hudson had her first three round-trippers of the year in a three-day stretch. The Ducks have three seniors now with 14 or more career dingers ? Lovena Chaput (10th all-time, 19), Hudson (15) and Gail (14).
On the mound, junior pitcher Melissa Rice (4-4, 2.27 ERA) staked three wins last weekend and gives the Duck three hurlers with +4 wins this year, joining senior Alicia Cook (5-5, 1.82 ERA) and freshman Brittany Rumfelt (4-0, 2.21 ERA).
THIS WEEK’S GAMES
Wednesday, March 5, Eugene
- Portland State (7-13), 2:30 p.m. ? The Vikings won their last outing, 4-2, at No. 25 Washington Sunday and snapped a four-game losing streak.
UNLV Invitational, Las Vegas, Nevada
Friday, March 7
- Southern Utah (4-9), 11:15 a.m. ? Under fourth-year coach Jodi Jackson, the Thunderbirds were ’07 NCAA qualifiers.
- No. 20 (NFCA) / No. 22 (USA) Ohio State, 3:45 p.m. ? Sophomore catcher Sam Marder is a USA Softball National Player of the Year candidate and helped the Buckeyes to a 40-18 record in ?07.
Saturday, March 8
- Southern Utah (4-9), 9 a.m. ? The Thunderbirds played four games vs. Pac-10 foes three weeks ago (Arizona (2), Arizona State and Washington) and lost all four by six runs or more.
- UNLV (13-8-1), 1:30 p.m. ? The Rebels opened the year 10-2-1, including home wins over Washington (7-4) and Arizona State (2-1), but fell out of the national rankings after going 1-5 two weekends ago in Palm Springs, and followed with a 3-2 mark last weekend at home.
Sunday, March 9
- New Mexico State (9-12), 9 a.m. ? The Aggies went 31-27 last year, and are led in hitting by junior outfielder Kristi Randall (.339 avg., 20- 59, 10 doubles, 3 home runs, 14 RBI, 15 walks).
Portland State Vikings Stat Leaders
Top Hitters
Stacy Shannon, .325, 13-40, 13 hits, 1 double, 2 RBI, 2 walks
Brandi Scoggins, .321, 18-56, 3 doubles, 1 triple, 12 RBI
Arielle Wiser, .291, 16-50, 6 RBI, 11 walks
Jackie Heide, .291, 16-55, 1 home run, 6 RBI
Top Pitchers
Mandy Hill, 3.28 ERA, 5-7, 81 innings, 90 hits, 61 strikeouts, 29 walks
Nichole Latham, 5.80 ERA, 2-5, 44.2 innings, 55 hits, 39 strikeouts, 17 walks
A SLATE VS. WHO’S WHO IN COLLEGE SOFTBALL
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.
WINS RECORD
Head Coach Kathy Arendsen upped her Duck career win tally to 196 last weekend in San Diego, and the sixth-year head coach passed former school record holder Tami Brown (192-172, 1990-96). Arendsen’s career winning percentage (.616, 196-122) is also a school best, ahead of Teresa Wilson’s mark (.548, 126-104, 1986-89).
CONFERENCE SLATE AROUND CORNER
The Ducks’ conference season is barely four weeks away as UO opens the league slate at Washington, Friday, March 28, then plays at UCLA, Saturday-Sunday, March 29-30. UO’s Pac-10 home dates follow ? Oregon State (Wednesday, April 2, 4 p.m.), Arizona State (Friday, April 4, 4 p.m.), Arizona (Saturday, April 5, 1 p.m.; Sunday, April 6, Noon), Stanford (Friday, May 2, 4 p.m.), California (Saturday, May 3, 1 p.m.; Sunday, May 4, Noon), UCLA (Thursday, May 8, 4 p.m.) and Washington (Friday, May 9, 4 p.m.; Saturday, May 10, 1:30 p.m.).
DUCK BATTING NOTES
- Four Ducks that have started all 22 games are batting over .300 ? freshman Cortney Kivett (27-74, 1 double, 14 stolen bases), junior Sari-Jane Jenkins (.358, 24-57, 7 RBI, 11 walks, 15 stolen bases), sophomore center fielder Neena Bryant (.314, 22-70, 2 home runs, 13 RBI) and senior shortstop Lovena Chaput (.308, 20-65, 3 home runs, 12 RBI), while Joanna Gail is just under (.295, 18-61, four home runs, 12 RBI). Senior catcher Amie Morris, who has started eight games, is also over .300 (.333, 4-12, 3 RBI).
- Altogether, six Ducks have homered this year: four returnees ? Gail (4), Chaput (3), Hudson (3) and Bryant (2) ? and two freshmen ? first baseman Monique Fuiava (3, including a grand slam) and catcher Ashley Kivett (1).
- This season, Fuiava and Joanna Gail are the first Ducks to hit multiple homers in a game. Gail cleared the fence twice in her 3-for-3 afternoon vs. Cal State Bakersfield to open March at San Diego State. Fuiava’s effort vs. Colorado State included a grand slam the opening weekend, 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).
- Among current Ducks the career home run leader is Chaput (19) who is tied for 10th all-time with recent Duck star Beth Boskovich (19). Other Ducks with +10 homers include Hudson (15), Gail (14), redshirt Jenn Salling (14), and Bryant (12).
- In the team’s last trip to Vegas, Ducks with big weekends included Neena Bryant (.500, 8-16, 1 home run, 5 RBI, 2 stolen bases), Sari-Jane Jenkins (.500, 8-16, 2 doubles, 3 RBI) and Lovena Chaput (.467, 7-15, 2 home runs, 7 RBI).
- Two weekends ago, freshman first baseman Monique Fuiava homered for Oregon it its 1-0 win vs. No. 6 Oklahoma. The Las Vegas native led the team in the tourney in batting (.333), hits (5), doubles (1), homers (1), runs (3), on-base pct. (.444), slugging (.600) and total bases (9), and ranked second in walks (3). Fuiava also went 2-3 in UO’s 2-1 win vs. NCAA qualifier Long Island with a double.
- Among other Ducks with notable stat lines in their second trip to Palm Springs two weekends ago - Joanna Gail (.313, 5-16, 1 double) and the Kivett twins Cortney (.278, 5-18, 1 walk, 2 stolen bases) and Ashley (.250, 3-12, 1 stolen base).
- 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.
- Lovena Chaput moved to ninth all-time for UO in doubles with one two weekends ago (31), and is one away from seventh (32). She is also 11th in career triples (6) and one away from tying for eighth (7).
- 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 in San Diego, junior right-hander Melissa Rice went 3-1 and had her first save of the season. Her 2-0 win over San Diego was the 10th shutout of her career and moved her to seventh all-time for UO. Another complete game blanking will put her in a tie for sixth.
- In the span of 30 hours two weekends ago in the Palm Springs, senior right-hander Alicia Cook logged shutouts over No. 6 Oklahoma, 1-0, and Pacific, 10-0, and had a save in 3-1 win vs. Michigan State. Overall in the tourney, she led the team in wins (2), strikeouts (12), starts (3), saves (1) and innings (18.2), and ranked second in ERA (1.93).
- This season, Cook paces the squad in wins (5), ERA (1.82), opposing batting average (.234), saves (1-tied), strikeouts (59) and innings (65.1)
- Cook owns UO’s season high in strikeouts (8 vs. returning NCAA Super Regional qualifiers Baylor and South Carolina) and also had six vs. Colorado State and Pacific and five in her outings vs. Tennessee and Northridge, as did Rice vs. Mississippi State
- Freshman Brittany Rumfelt (4-0) won her first four collegiate starts. Two weekends ago near Palm Springs she topped returning NCAA qualifier Long Island, 2-1, and Michigan State, 3-1. In previous weekends, she posted a 13-2 win over Northwestern State (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 starters have done so than 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).
- Seven Ducks have started all 22 games this year ? Bryant (CF), Chaput (SS), Fuiava (1B-DH), Hudson (RF-DP), Jenkins (LF) and Cortney Kivett (2B),
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 ? 9th, 31 ? needs two to tie for 7th (32)
Career Triples ? 11th, 6 ? needs 1 to tie for 8th (7)
Career Home Runs ? 10th, 19 ? needs 2 to tie for 9th (21)
Sari-Jane Jenkins, Jr., Salem, Ore
Career Stolen Bases ? 58, 4th ? needs 2 to tie for 3rd (60)
Alicia Cook, Sr., Elmira, Ore.
Career Strikeouts ? 6th, 319 ? needs 17 to tie for 5th (336)
Career Shutouts ? 4th, 19 ? needs 2 to tie for 3rd (21)
Melissa Rice, Jr., Colville, Wash.
Career Shutouts ? 8th, 9 ? needs 1 to tie for 7th (10)
Career Innings ? 10th, 338.1 - needs 45 to tie for 9th (373.1)
LAST WEEK’S GAME RECAPS
San Diego Classic
San Diego, Calif.
Friday-Sunday, March 1-3, 2008
3/2 ? No. 20 San Diego State 3, Oregon 2. Alicia Cook held the Aztecs (16-5) to four hits, and the hosts scored all three of their runs in the third inning. Cook (5-5) struck out seven and walked three in the complete game effort ? her sixth of the year. Kayleen Hudson hit her third home run in as many days, a two-run shot over the left field wall in the fourth inning. Oregon scored its first run in the first inning on an RBI single by Lovena Chaput that scored Sari-Jane Jenkins, and the latter led UO in hits with her 2-for-4 afternoon, and six other Ducks hit safely.
3/2 ? Oregon 7, James Madison 2. Melissa Rice pitched a two-hit complete game, walked three and struck out five Dukes (7-4) and didn’t allow an earned run for her third win of the road trip. UO’s 1-2-3 hitters went 6-for-11 with three RBI’s and five runs scored ? Cortney Kivett (2-4), Sari-Jane Jenkins (2-3, including 2-run triple in fourth inning) and Neena Bryant (2-for-4, 1 RBI).
3/1 ? Oregon 7, Cal State Bakersfield 6. Near her hometown of Poway, Calif., Joanna Gail went 3-for-3 with two home runs and a double. Starter Alicia Cook came back from the flu earlier in the week to get the win after her four innings of work (four earned runs, seven hits, four strikeouts). Melissa Rice came in for her first save of the season, and allowed one hit, struck out two and walked two in her three innings. The Roadrunners (6-9) scored two in the second inning, and added a run in the fourth and three in the fifth ? all off Cook. Cortney Kivett also collected three hits in her four at-bats, and senior catcher Amie Morris delivered a two-run single in the top of the third inning to put UO up 6-2. Hudson hit her second homer of the tourney in the second inning and knocked starter Katie Chavez (1-2) out of the game.
2/29 ? Oregon 6, Harvard 0. UO piled up 14 hits against the returning Ivy League champion Crimson (0-1) as Kayleen Hudson and Neena Bryant each had two hits and two RBIs. Right handers Melissa Rice and Alicia Cook combined on UO’s fourth shutout in five games and Rice had four no-hit innings for the win. Rice fanned six in the start, and Cook came back from the flu to strike out five in the final three innings for her second save in as many weeks. Joanna Gail shot a drive over the center field wall in the fifth inning to put UO up 4-0, the fourth straight inning a Duck crossed the plate. The inning prior, Hudson walloped a pitch over the 225-foot sign in left center field ? her first homer in two years after she redshirted the ’07 campaign. UO also pilfered six stolen bases, including three by Sari-Jane Jenkins who went 2-for-2 in the lead off spot. Oregon’s second and third hitters also had two hits ? Cortney Kivett (2-for-3) and Neena Bryant (2-for-4, 2 RBI).
2/29 ? No. 22 Fresno State 4, Oregon 1. The Bulldogs (11-3) rallied with four runs in the top of the seventh in UO’s opener of the San Diego Classic. Fresno State starter Morgan Melloh struck out 12 Ducks, including all three batters in the fifth and sixth innings, allowed five hits and walked none. Cortney Kivett went 3-for-3 with a pair of steals, and her bunt single and steal in the fourth led to UO’s lone run off a bloop single by Monique Fuiava. Fresno State ended Oregon pitchers’ 22-inning scoreless streak with its runs in the final inning vs. Rice who struck out five, walked one and gave up nine hits.
2/28 ? Oregon 2, San Diego 0. Junior Melissa Rice notched her first shutout of the year to give head coach Kathy Arendsen her a record-breaking 193rd Duck win. UO scored its first run off San Diego (4-10) in the third inning with two outs. Sari-Jane Jenkins drew a walk, stole second and scored on a bunt single by Cortney Kivett combined with a USD throwing error. UO’s other run came from pinch-hitter Ashley Kivett who doubled home Kayleen Hudson in the top of the seventh. Rice authored a three-hitter, struck out five and retired 15 in a row during one stretch.
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 have challenged 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 has started every game at second baseman and has replaced All-Pac-10 pick Suzie Barnes, and Rumfelt has won all four of her starts this year. Monique Fuiava had shared duties at first base with sophomore Carlyn Re, and Ashley Kivett and Vitek have stabilized UO’s future behind the plate as they rotate with senior and two-year starter Aime Morris. Deadmond was an all-league honorable mention at Butte Junior College and is one of the team’s top pinch runners 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, 19; Jennie, eighth, 9) and strikeouts (Alicia sixth, 319; Jennie eighth, 241), and for comparison here are Alicia’s other career stats and UO all-time rankings: 92 games (#7), 427.1 innings (#8), 43 wins (#7), 45 complete games (#7), 19 shutouts (#4) and 319 strikeouts (#6).
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 196 wins moved her past former all-time leader Brown (192-172, .527, 1990-96) in early March.
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. .353 (156-442; 24-67 (2008), 132-375 (2006, ’07))
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, 31 (7th is 32)
Career Triples ? 11th, 6 (8th is 7)
Career Home Runs ? 10th, 19 (9th is 21)
Season Doubles - 10th-t, 12, 2006
Alicia Cook, Sr., P, Elmira, Ore.
Career Games ? 7th, 96 (6th is 114)
Career Wins ? 7th, 44 (6th is 47)
Career Complete Games ? 7thth, 46 (6th is 60)
Career Shutouts ? 4th, 19 (3rd is 21)
Career Innings ? 8th. Alicia Cook 440.1 (7th is 482)
Career Strikeouts ? 6th, 335 (5th is 336)
Career ERA (min. 200 IP) - 10. Alicia Cook 2.29 (144 ER, 440.1 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 ? 7th, 10 (6th is 11)
Career Innings ? 10th, 368 (8th is 373.1)
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: 196-122, Sixth Season
Overall Record: 568-396, 18 years
Associate Head Coach: J. Gaudreau (Sixth year)
Assistant Head Coach: Mick Hokanson (Third year)
Volunteer Coach: Kim (Ogee) Harris
Undergraduate Assistant Coaches: Suzie Barnes, Ann Marie Topps
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.
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
2008 DUCK NUMERICAL ROSTER
# Name Pos. B/T Yr.
1 Cortney Kivett 2B L/R Fr.
2 Sari-Jane Jenkins OF L/R Jr.
4 Blair Williamson OF L/R So.
5 Lovena Chaput OF L/R Sr.
6 Neena Bryant OF R/R So.
7 Alicia Cook RHP R/R Sr.
8 Amie Morris C R/R Sr.
9 Joanna Gail 3B R/R Sr.
10 Hannah Barril UT L/R So.
11 Ashley Kivett C R/R Fr.
13 Kaitlin Vitek C/3B R/R Fr.
15 Monique Fuiava 1B R/R Fr.
16 Melissa Rice RHP R/R Jr.
20 Kayleen Hudson OF R/R Sr.
24 Carlyn Re 1B L/R So.
25 Shelley Deadmond OF L/R Jr.
27 Jenn Salling SS R/R So.
35 Brittany Rumfelt LHP L/L Fr.
Head Coach: Kathy Arendsen, 6th Year
Asst. Coaches: J. Gaudreau (6th year), Mick Hokanson (3rd year)
Volunteer Coach: Kim (Ogee) Harris, 1st Year
Undergraduate Assistant Coaches: Suzie Barnes, Ann Marie Topps, 1st Year
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)
POTENTIAL STARTERS (’08 Starts)
C: Amie Morris (8) / A. Kivett (14)
1B: M. Fuiava (21) / Carlyn Re (16)
2B: Cortney Kivett (22)
SS: Lovena Chaput (22)
3B: Joanna Gail (22)
RF: Kayleen Hudson (16)
CF: Neena Bryant (22)
LF: Sari-Jane Jenkins (22)
DP: Monique Fuiava (21), Kayleen Hudson (2)
DUCK ALPHABETICAL ROSTER
# Name Pos. B/T Ht. Yr. Hometown (High School/College)
10 Hannah Barril UT L/R 5-1 So. Juneau, Alaska (Juneau Douglas)
6 Neena Bryant OF R/R 5-6 So. Placentia, Calif. (El Dorado)
5 Lovena Chaput OF L/R 5-9 Sr. Tualatin, Ore. (Tualatin)
7 Alicia Cook RHP R/R 5-10 Sr. Elmira, Ore. (Elmira)
25 Shelley Deadmond OF L/R 5-6 Jr. Chico, Calif. (Butte/Chico)
15 Monique Fuiava 1B R/R 5-8 Fr. Las Vegas, Nev (Mojave)
9 Joanna Gail 3B R/R 5-9 Sr. Poway, Calif. (Poway)
20 Kayleen Hudson OF R/R 5-8 Sr. Northglenn, Colo. (Northglenn)
2 Sari-Jane Jenkins OF L/R 5-6 Jr. Salem, Ore. (South Salem)
11 Ashley Kivett C R/R 5-4 Fr. Yucaipa, Calif. (Yucaipa)
1 Cortney Kivett 2B L/R 5-3 Fr. Yucaipa, Calif. (Yucaipa)
8 Amie Morris C R/R 5-7 Sr. Salem, Ore. (Sprague)
24 Carlyn Re 1B L/R 5-6 So. Tualatin, Ore. (Tualatin)
16 Melissa Rice RHP R/R 5-8 Jr. Colville, Wash. (Colville High School)
35 Brittany Rumfelt LHP L/L 5-8 Fr. Lakeport, Calif. (Clear Lake)
27 Jenn Salling SS R/R 5-5 So. Port Coquitlam, BC (Terry Fox)
13 Kaitlin Vitek C/3B R/R 5-8 Fr. Valencia, Calif. (William S. Hart)
4 Blair Williamson OF L/R 5-8 So. Salem, Ore. (Sprague)
BY CLASS
Seniors: 5
Juniors: 3
Sophomores: 5
Freshmen: 5
AT BAT / BY POSITION
Right/Left: 11/7
Infielders/Outfielders: 7/6
Pitchers/Catchers: 3/3
BY STATE
California: 7
Oregon: 6
Alaska, Colorado, Nevada, Washington, British Columbia
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