Softball Hits Road for PSU / OSU Dates
THIS WEEK'S ACTION
Wednesday, 4/16 - Doubleheader ? Portland State (22-20, 5-3), 3 p.m. ? www.GoViks.com
Friday, 4/18 ? Oregon State (25-21, 3-6), 4 p.m. ? www.OSUbeavers.com
Saturday, 4/19 ? Oregon State (25-21, 3-6), 1 p.m. ? www.OSUbeavers.com
WHAT’S ON TAP
EUGENE ? With three of its final four weeks of the regular season in the state of Oregon, the Duck softball team (26-19, 1-8) drives north for four nearby games this week at Portland State and Oregon State.
On Wednesday, the Ducks play a doubleheader at Portland State who are unbeaten (10-0) at home and lead the Pacific Coast Softball Conference (5-3). UO then heads to Corvallis for the final two installments of the Civil War Sponsored by Your Northwest Dodge Dealers.
This week’s two national polls sport four league teams in the top 10 - No. 1 Arizona State, No. 4 UCLA, No. 7 Stanford and No. 7 Arizona ? and two others in the top 25, No. 20 Washington and No. 21 California.
Last weekend, the Ducks fell by only one run in their three games in the Bay Area to No. 8 Stanford (2-1, 1-0) and No. 22 California (3-2, 11 innings) making it five of UO’s last six games decided by one run or less.
Looking ahead to next week, UO has its final road Pac-10 road games at No. 7 Arizona, Friday, April 25 at 7 p.m., and at No. 1 Arizona State, Saturday-Sunday, April 26-27 at 7 p.m. and noon, respectively.
QUICK QUACKS
The Duck pitching staff has shared the workload the last three weeks thanks to the return of Brittany Rumfelt from a pitching finger stress fracture in February. The Lakeport, Calif., native staked her first Pac-10 complete game and fourth overall of the season with her three-hit, 1-0 loss at No. 8 Stanford, Saturday. She also pitched three shutout innings vs. the Cardinal on Sunday.
The week before, senior pitcher Alicia Cook’s season-high strikeouts (8) in a 3-2 win vs. returning national champion Arizona matched her tally from earlier outings vs. returning NCAA Super Regional qualifier South Carolina. Cook’s 11th victory of the season gives her an identical record (11-9) as last year’s pitching MVP, junior Melissa Rice. The latter hurler won nine games in a row before a tough 2-0 loss at No. 1 UCLA in her Pac-10 opener. In that outing, she allowed only one base runner (via a walk) in her final five innings after allowing two runs the first inning. The pair both rank top-10 in school history in many career categories, including wins (fourth / seventh), shutouts (fourth / sixth) and strikeouts (fourth / eighth).
Junior left fielder Sari-Jane Jenkins batted .625 last weekend in the Bay Area (5-for-8, 1 walk, 1 hit by pitch, 3 stolen bases), and leads the team in conference batting (.333). On Pac-10 lists, she ranks top-10 in stolen bases (second-tie, 23) and triples (third-tie, 2). She is one stolen base away from tying the Duck record (72) and is currently tied for second with former teammate and current undergraduate assistant coach Suzie Barnes.
On the season, sophomore centerfielder Neena Bryant tops Oregon in batting average (.381), hits (53), doubles (10), slugging (.647), on-base pct. (.397), RBI's (39), home runs (9), total bases (90), and ranks top three in runs (second, 23) and stolen bases (third, 18).
In the Pac-10 rankings this week, Bryant stood top 10 in RBI (fourth-tie, 39), total bases (fifth, 90), hits (fifth-tie, 53), stolen bases (fifth, 18), slugging (sixth, .647) and batting (seventh, .381).
Freshman second baseman Cortney Kivett leads the Pac-10 in steals (30), and her 50 hits ranks ninth in the league and second for UO. Her 31 thefts rank fourth all-time in a season for UO and ninth all-time on the career charts. Her twin sister Ashley is third among Ducks in conference game batting (.294, 5-for-14), and had a two-run homer in the seventh inning vs. Oregon State two weeks ago.
Other Ducks in this week’s Pac-10 rankings included Cook (saves, first-tie, 4; wins, 10th-tie, 11; strikeouts, 10th, 117) and Rice (wins, 10th-tie, 11).
IN A LEAGUE OF HER OWN
Head Coach Kathy Arendsen became the first Duck skipper to stake 200 wins at the end of February in Las Vegas. The week before, the sixth-year head coach became the all-time wins leader among Duck softball coaches after she passed Tami Brown (192-172, 1990-96). Arendsen’s career winning percentage (.613, 209-132) is also a school best, ahead of Teresa Wilson’s mark (.548, 126-104, 1986-89). The 18th-year collegiate coach Arendsen sports a 581-407 overall record after prior stops at Mississippi State, Yale, Eastern Illinois and Western Connecticut.
ALL-TIME VS. OREGON STATE
The Ducks are 77-75-1 all-time for Oregon State. Oregon won the season series last year (2-1) to cinch the UO-OSU all-sport trophy last year. Arendsen’s crew also won the series her first season in ’03 (2-1), while Oregon State beat UO (3-0) in ’06, ’05 (3-0) and ’04 (2-1).
VIKING NOTES
Six Portland State players are hitting over .300 and are led by junior Jana Rae Slayton (.355) who also paces the team in hits (44). Other top Viking hitters include freshman Arielle Wiser (.350, 42-for-120, 19 RBI), sophomore Brandi Scoggins (.345, 39-for-113, 20 RBI), junior Jackie Heide (.322, 39-for-121, 4 home runs, 17 RBI, 16 walks), senior Mandy Hill (.317, 38-for-120, 4 home runs, 31 RBI) and junior Jamee Rauch (.303, 44-for-145, 4 triples). Hill (12-12, 3.31 ERA) owns PSU’s top mark in wins, strikeouts (112), innings (154.1) walks (51) and hits (160). The Vikings’ next most utilized pitcher is Nichole Latham (8-7, 4.79 ERA, 26 games, 98 innings, 79 strikeouts, 31 walks, 108 hits).
BEAVER BITES
Last week in the Bay Area, OSU lost to No. 8 Stanford, 10-1, and 3-0 to No. 22 California, sandwiched between a victory over the Bears, 8-0, and earlier in the week split a pair vs. St. Mary’s (win 1-0, loss 3-1). Sophomore Dani Chisholm leads the team in average (.347), hits (51) and has 20 RBI and 12 stolen bases. Freshman McKenna Lowe is also hitting over .300 (.346, 36-for-104, 10 stolen bases). Preseason honors candidate and senior Cambria Miranda leads the team in steals (13) and home runs (7), and freshman Audrey Roderfeld paces the team in RBIs (26) and ranks second in homers (6). Sophomore pitcher Kelly Draper (16-16) leads the team in wins (16), shutouts (5), complete games (15), strikeouts (151), walks (50), and OSU’s other pitcher is sophomore Stefanie Draper (9-5, 119.2 innings, 143 hits, 54 strikeouts, 31 walks).
A PEAK AT THE REST OF THE REGULAR SEASON
After this week’s games at Oregon State, UO has one more away weekend to close April at the Arizona schools (Arizona, Friday, April 25 at 7 p.m., and at Arizona State, Saturday-Sunday, April 26-27 at 7 p.m. and 4 p.m., respectively). The Ducks return home for the final two weekends of the season to host 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, 1:30 and 4 p.m.; Saturday, May 10, 1:30 p.m.).
UO’s original game vs. Washington on March 28 that was postponed because of snow and rain will be made up on Friday, May 9 at 1:30 p.m. as part of a doubleheader.
A SLATE VS. A WHO’S WHO OF COLLEGE SOFTBALL
With all eight members of the ?Conference of Champions’ NCAA qualifiers last year, a challenging weekend is nothing new. Including the non-conference slate this year, the Ducks have 37 games against 21 NCAA qualifiers from ’07, including five regional champions, three World Series participants and both NCAA championship participants.
POTENTIAL DUCK STARTERS (’08 Starts)
C: Amie Morris (16), Ashley Kivett (31)
1B: M. Fuiava (43), Carlyn Re (36)
2B: Cortney Kivett (45)
SS: Lovena Chaput (45)
3B: Joanna Gail (44)
RF: Kayleen Hudson (42), Blair Williamson (9)
CF: Neena Bryant (45)
LF: Sari-Jane Jenkins (45)
DP: Monique Fuiava (43), Kayleen Hudson (43), Ashley Kivett (31)
DUCK BATTING NOTES
- Five Ducks that have started at least 44 games are batting .270 or better:
Neena Bryant, So., CF - .381, 53-for-139, 9 HR, 39 RBI, 18 SB, .647 SLG
Cortney Kivett, Fr., 2B - .340, 50-for-147, 31 SB
Sari-Jane Jenkins, Jr., LF - .311, 42-for-135, 23 SB, 19 BB
Joanna Gail, Sr., 3B - .274, 34-for-124, 9 2B, 7 HR, 25 RBI
Lovena Chaput, Sr., SS - .271, 35-for-129, 4 HR, 6 2B, 17 RBI, 13 BB
- Sophomore right fielder Blair Williamson is the newest face in the Duck starting lineup and has started five straight games. She’s the team’s second-leading hitter among Duck starters in Pac-10 action (.294, 5-for-17, 2 doubles). Her first two hits in that span came as a pinch hitter vs. the Bruins and Beavers. The next game, her two doubles vs. ASU’s All-America hurler Katie Burkhart was her first career game with multiple, multiple-base hits. She nearly had another line drive extra base hit vs. Burkhart that was robbed by a leaping grab by the first baseman behind the bag. The next day on Saturday, she garnered UO’s only hit and run in returning College World Series MVP Taryne Mowatt 5-1 one-hit win for UA. Prior to the recent starts, Williamson’s previous opening nod came in late February’s win over Long Island in the Louisville Slugger Classic in Las Vegas.
- Altogether, six Ducks have homered this year and five have four or more. The power parade includes four returnees ? Bryant (9), Gail (7), Chaput (4) and Kayleen Hudson (4) ? and two freshmen ? Monique Fuiava (4, including a grand slam) and catcher Ashley Kivett (2). The Ducks combined for 10 round-trippers in the eight Cascade Clash games in late March, courtesy of Bryant (5), Gail (3), Chaput (1), and Hudson (1), while Kivett added another homer vs. Oregon State to open April. UO’s 10th-best individual season home run mark is 10 ? a mark that Bryant achieved last year as a freshman and is one away from this week. As a team, UO stood fourth in the Pac-10 this week in homers (30).
- This season, Fuiava, Gail and Bryant are the first Ducks to hit multiple homers in a game. Bryant was the most recent honoree with a pair of solo home runs in her 3-for-3 day vs. UC Davis in UO’s 7-2 Cascade Clash win. Gail cleared the fence twice in her 3-for-3 afternoon vs. Cal State Bakersfield earlier in the month at San Diego State. Fuiava’s effort vs. Colorado State the opening weekend included a grand slam, 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 (20) who ranks 10th all-time and moved past recent Duck star Beth Boskovich (19). Other Ducks with +10 career homers include Bryant (19), Gail (17), Hudson (16), and redshirt Jenn Salling (14).
- Besides Bryant’s offensive antics in the Cascade Clash to close March, senior Joanna Gail also hit at a +.500 clip in the tourney (.500, 12-for-24, 3 doubles, 3 home runs, 9 RBI), and four others topped .280 ? freshman Monique Fuiava (.333, 7-for-21, 3 doubles, 4 RBI), senior Kayleen Hudson (.394, 5-for-17, 1 double, 1 homer, 3 RBI, 4 walks), senior Lovena Chaput (.286, 6-for-21, 1 double, 1 home run, 5 RBI, 4 walks), and freshman Cortney Kivett (.280, 7-for-25, 2 RBI, 1 walk, 7 steals).
- Cortney Kivett went 4-for-4 in her first collegiate game with a double and a stolen base, and came back with a 2-for-4 day the next morning vs. Cal Poly and had an RBI and stolen base in both games. The Yucaipa, Calif., native had a 15-game hitting streak ended in the Mid-March’s Cascade Clash opener, then proceeded to go 7-for-21 the next three games and hit safely in nine of her next 11 games. The leadoff hitter ranks second for UO in ’08 in hits (50) and average (.340), third in on-base percentage (.366) and runs (18) and fourth in total bases (51).
- 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.
- Lovena Chaput’s four runs in a 13-2 win vs. Northwestern State tied a team record shared by four others.
- Ashley Kivett’s two doubles vs. Cal Poly and Blair Williamson’s vs. Arizona State rank second all-time for UO, as did sister Cortney Kivett’s four hits in her debut vs. Colorado State.
- 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
- The past month, junior right-hander Melissa Rice won nine straight games and also had a save. Her 2-0 Cascade Clash shutout of UC Davis was the 12th of her career and ranks her sixth all-time for UO. Two more complete game blankings will put her in a tie for fifth. She also ranks top-10 for UO in career wins (seventh, 40), innings (eighth, 421.2), strikeouts (eighth, 271), appearances (eighth, 95) and complete games (ninth, 36).
- Senior Alicia Cook’s win over Arizona leaves her fourth all-time for UO in career victories (50), and she's now nine behind her sister Jennie Cook (third, 59). She also ranks top 10 in Duck history in strikeouts (fourth, 393), shutouts (fourth, 19), innings (seventh, 515.2), appearances (seventh, 111) and complete games (seventh, 52).
- This season, Rice shares the team lead in wins (11) and also paces UO in opposing batting average (.218), and ranks second in ERA (2.66), innings (108.1), strikeouts (78), starts (18), shutouts (3) and appearances (25). Cook owns top team honors in wins (11-tied), shutouts (4), saves (4), strikeouts (117) and innings (140.2) and ranks third in ERA (2.88). Rumfelt has staked UO’s lowest ERA (2.41) and trails in most categories since she’s pitched less than half the innings (47.1) than Cook and RIce.
- Cook owns UO’s season high in strikeouts (8) vs. returning national champion Arizona, and fellow NCAA Super Regional qualifier South Carolina. She also had seven against Northwestern State and San Diego State, six vs. Colorado State, Idaho State, Mississippi Valley State, Northern Illinois, Pacific, Southern Utah and UC Davis, and five vs. Harvard, Northridge and Tennessee. In the Cascade Clash tourney, Rice had a season high six in four no-hit innings vs. Idaho State, and also against Idaho State, and UNLV and Southern Utah in consecutive outings in February. She also whiffed five batters in games vs. Fresno State, James Madison, Mississippi State, Northern Illinois and San Diego State.
- In the span of 30 hours in late February in the Palm Springs, Cook logged shutouts over No. 6 Oklahoma, 1-0, and Pacific, 10-0, and had a save in the 3-1 win vs. Michigan State. Other shutouts in ’08 by Cook have come over Idaho State (2-0), Northridge (2-0), Pacific (10-0), South Carolina (3-0), and by Rice vs. Mississippi Valley State (10-0), San Diego (2-0) and UC Davis (2-0). Cook and Rice combined on blankings of NCAA veteran Harvard (6-0) and New Mexico State (2-0), and Rice partnered with freshman Brittany Rumfelt on a shutout of Idaho State (8-0).
- Rice pitched the first four innings of a five-inning, 8-0 Cascade Clash no-hitter vs. Idaho State, before Rumfelt added a final no-hit inning in relief. Rice also pitched a one-hit five inning 10-0 complete game vs. Mississippi Valley State, and two-hit complete games vs. UCLA and UNLV that went six and seven innings, respectively. Cook allowed only one hit in her Cascade Clash wins vs. Mississippi Valley State (6.1 innings) and Idaho State (5 innings), and also allowed two hits in her 3-0 seven-inning complete game shutout of South Carolina.
- Rumfelt (4-1) won her first four collegiate starts before a stress fracture in late February sidelined her for four weeks. Since her return in late March, she has appeared in seven of UO’s last 13 games, and allowed runs only to UCLA (5), Arizona (2) and Stanford (1) in those 22 innings. A month prior in her last action in Palm Springs, she won starts over 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).
- Four Ducks have started all 45 games this year ? Bryant (CF), Chaput (SS), Jenkins (LF) and Courtney Kivett (2B). Joanna Gail (3B) and Kayleen Hudson (RF-DP) have started 44 and 43 contests, respectively, and Fuiava (DP-1B) has started 43 and played all 45.
STAT WATCH ? UO ALL-TIME CHARTS
Lovena Chaput, Sr., SS, Tualatin, Ore.
Career Doubles ? 4th-tie, 34 ? needs 2 to tie for 3rd (36); (6 in 2008, 28 in 2005, ’06, ?07)
Career Triples ? 11th, 6 ? needs 1 to tie for 8th (7); (0 in 2008, 6 in 2005, ’06, ?07)
Career Home Runs ? 10th, 20 ? needs 1 to tie for 9th (21); (4 in 2008, 16 in 2005, ’06, ?07)
Sari-Jane Jenkins, Jr., LF, Salem, Ore
Career Stolen Bases ? 70, 3rd ? needs 1 to tie for 2nd (71), 2 to tie for 1st (72); (23 in 2008, 47 in 2006, ?07)
Career Runs ? 102 ? needs 2 to tie for 10th (104); (28 in 2008, 74 in 2006-07)
Season Stolen Bases ? 23, 6th ? needs 1 to tie for 5th (24)
Neena Bryant, So., CF, Placentia, Calif.
Career Home Runs ? 19 ? needs 1 to tie teammate Lovena Chaput for 10th (20); (9 in 2008, 10 in 2007)
Career Stolen Bases ? 32 ? needs 2 to tie for 8th (34) (18 in 2008, 14 in 2007)
Career RBIs ? 85 ? needs 7 to tie for 10th (39 in 2008, 46 in 2007)
Season Home Runs ? 9 ? needs 1 to tie for 10th (10)
Season RBIs ? 39 ? needs 3 to tie for 10th (42)
Season Stolen Bases ? 18 ? needs 3 to tie for 10th (21)
Season Doubles ? 10 ? needs 2 to tie teammate Lovena Chaput for 10th (12)
Joanna Gail, Sr., 3B, Poway, Calif.
Career Home Runs ? 17 ? needs 3 to tie teammate Lovena Chaput for 10th (20); (7 in 2008, 10 in 2005, ’06, ’07)
Season Home Runs ? 7 ? needs 3 to tie for 10th (10)
Season Doubles ? 9 ? needs 3 to tie teammate Lovena Chaput for 10th (12)
Cortney Kivett, Fr., 2B, Yucaipa, Calif.
Season Stolen Bases ? 31, 4th ? needs 5 to tie for 3rd (36)
Career Stolen Bases ? 31, 9th ? needs 3 to tie for 8th (34)
Alicia Cook, Sr., P, Elmira, Ore.
Season Strikeouts ? 117 ? needs 8 to tie for 8th (125)
Career Shutouts ? 4th, 19 ? needs 2 to tie for 3rd (21); (4 in 2008, 15 in 2005, ’06, ?07)
Career Games ? 7th, 111 ? needs 3 to tie for 6th (114); (28 in 2008, 83 in 2005, ’06, ?07)
Melissa Rice, Jr., P, Colville, Wash.
Career Shutouts ? 6th, 12 ? needs 2 to tie for 5th (14); (3 in 2008, 9 in 2006, ?07)
Career Innings ? 8th, 424 - needs 658 to tie for 7th (482); (108.1 in 2008, 315.2 in 2006, ?07)
RECENT PAC-10 RECAPS (vs. No. 22 California, No. 8 Stanford)
4/11 ? No. 22 California 3, Oregon 2 (11 Innings), Berkeley, Calif.
The Ducks pushed the Bears to 11 innings before Cal won the game on an RBI double. UO scored its first run in the first inning after Blair Williamson led off the game and reached on an error by the second baseman, then scored two batters later on Neena Bryant’s sacrifice fly to deep center field. In the fourth, Sari-Jane Jenkins led off by beating out a high chopper to shortstop, then scored when Bryant followed with a lined double to left center field. Bryant’s double was her team-leading 10th of the season ? only two shy of 10th all-time for UO in a season. Junior Melissa Rice pitched the final 2.1 innings, and suffered the loss based on her earned run allowed in the 11th, and struck out one and walked none. Senior Alicia Cook started the game and in her eight innings, struck out four, walked three, and allowed eight hits, and both of her runs allowed were unearned. Six Ducks combined for eight hits - Jenkins (3-for-4), Bryant (1-for-3, 2 RBI), Joanna Gail (1-for-5), Carlyn Re (1-for-2), Kayleen Hudson (1-for-4) and Cortney Kivett (1-for-4). Gail’s rock solid defense and 10 assists in the field helped the Duck pitchers author nine straight shutout innings. In the 10th inning, she initiated all three outs in 5-3 ground-out fashion, the second on a leaping grab that she snowconed with her glove, and the third on a slow bouncer to shortstop that she ranged six steps to her left to beat the runner by two steps. At the plate, UO left nine runners on base, including two in the sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth innings.
4/12 - No. 8 Stanford 1, Oregon 0, Stanford, Calif.
Freshman pitcher Brittany Rumfelt and the Duck defense held the No. 8 Cardinal to one run Saturday before losing, 1-0, at Smith Family Stadium. Rumfelt (4-1) pitched her first Pac-10 complete game (n her first league start) and fourth overall this season to boost the Duck cause. The Lakeport, Calif., native allowed a season-low three hits, struck out one and walked three, and her only allowed run was earned. The game marked her first conference start and her fourth conference appearance after she missed four weeks of the non-conference season because of a pitching finger stress fracture. For Oregon (26-18, 1-7), the Ducks stranded runners who hit safely in the third and fourth innings ? Sari-Jane Jenkins and Neena Bryant.
4/13 ? No. 8 Stanford 2, Oregon 1, Stanford, Calif.
Junior Sari-Jane Jenkins reached base in all three at-bats vs. No. 8 Stanford, but the Cardinal still held off UO, 2-1. Oregon scored its run in the fourth inning after a leadoff walk to Jenkins. She advanced to second base on a sacrifice bunt by sophomore Blair Williamson, then scored on a grounder up the middle by sophomore Neena Bryant. Bryant’s team-leading 39th RBI of the season put her only three shy of the 10th-best total in school history (42). Altogether, Jenkins reached base in the sixth inning on a chopper to shortstop, and via a hit by pitch and walk in the first and fourth innings, respectively. She added two stolen bases ? the sixth time this year she has multiple thefts in a game. The Duck defense collaborated on two double plays ? both of started by Joanna Gail and ended on throws to first base - to give UO 17 for the season. On the mound, Cook (11-8) pitched the first three innings and gave up three runs, struck out one and walked four, and both runs allowed were earned. Freshman left-hander Brittany Rumfelt came in with no outs and one runner on in the fourth inning and forced a fielder’s choice grounder to third base for UO’s second double play. Altogether in three innings, the Lakeport, Calif., native struck out one, allowed two hits, walked one and allowed no runs.
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.
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).
TOP DUCK RETURNEES
The Ducks welcome back many of last year’s stars from one of its deepest teams ever (with 2007 stats in ()). 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.
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 spent 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).
After UO’s home opener vs. Portland State (3/5), 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 wrap up the season five weeks later at home vs. UCLA and Washington (5/8-10).
So far this year, the Ducks have a 10-14 record against those returning NCAA qualifiers with victories over Cal Poly (14-4), South Carolina (3-0), Long Island (2-1), then-No. 6 Oklahoma (1-0), Harvard (6-0), Southern Utah (10-6, 4-2) and Mississippi Valley State (10-0, 6-1) and returning national champion Arizona (3-2).
Oregon losses have come to returning national runner-up and then-No. 6 Tennessee (5-0), Mississippi State (3-0), then-No. 2 Northwestern (7-0), returning World Series qualifier and then-No. 10 Baylor (8-4), then-No. 22 Fresno State (4-1), then-No. 20 Ohio State (7-0), returning Super Regional qualifier and then-No. 1 UCLA (2-0, 12-0), Oregon State (7-4), College World Series returnee and then-No. 1 Arizona State (3-2), returning national champion Arizona (5-1), then-No. 22 California (3-2, 11 innings) and then-No. 8 Stanford (2-1, 1-0).
NEW FACES
The Ducks have welcomed six newcomers who have challenged for immediate duty ? freshmen Monique Fuiava (first base), twins Ashley and Cortney Kivett (catcher / second base), Brittany Rumfelt (pitcher) and Kaitlin Vitek (catcher) and junior transfer Shelley Deadmond (outfield). Cortney Kivett has started every game and has replaced All-Pac-10 second baseman Suzie Barnes, and Rumfelt won her first four starts this year. Fuiava has shared duties at first base with sophomore Carlyn Re, and Ashley Kivett and Vitek have stabilized UO’s future behind the plate and have rotated with senior and two-year starter Amie 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 fourth, 393; Jennie eighth, 241), and for comparison here are Alicia’s other career stats and UO all-time rankings: 111 games (#7), 515.2 innings (#7), 50 wins (#4), 52 complete games (#7) and 19 shutouts (#4).
HOME GAME STATUS
Fans can call (541) 346-6148 for home game updates that may be rescheduled because of inclimate weather.
IN THE AIR
A broadcast of every home game for the remainder for the season will be also streamed online at the www.GoDucks.com website for O-Zone members. Oregon’s season finale vs. Washington, Saturday, May 10 at noon will be broadcast by Fox Sports Northwest. A pair of conference games in early April vs. then-No. 1 and then-No. 8 Arizona were televised by the Oregon Sports Network on Oregon Comcast Cable systems on Channel 37.
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-for-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.
TOP DUCK
Sixth-year UO head coach Kathy Arendsen 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 now has 209 wins and moved her past former all-time leader Brown in early March (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.
IN THE DUCK RECORD BOOKS
Sari-Jane Jenkins, Jr., LF, Salem, Ore.
Career Average ? 6th, .343 (176-512; 42-135 in 2008, 132-375 in 2006-07)
Career Stolen Bases ? 2nd, 71 (1st is 72) - (23 in 2008, 48 in 2006-07)
Career Runs (10th is 104) ? 102 (28 in 2008, 74 in 2006-07)
Career Hits (10th is 182) ? 174 (42 in 2008, 132 in 2006-07)
Career Doubles (10th is 28) ? 23 (2 in 2008, 21 in 2006-07)
Career Triples (8th-t is 7) ? 5 (2 in 2008, 3 in 2006-07)
Career Walks (10th is 63) ? 38 (19 in 2008, 19 in 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
Season Stolen Bases ? 6th, 23, 2008 (5th is 24)
Neena Bryant, So., CF, Placentia, Calif.
Career Average ? 6th, .339 (111-327; 53-139 in 2008, 58-188 in 2007)
Career Doubles (10th is 28) ? 24 (10 in 2008, 14 in 2007)
Career Home Runs (10th is 20) ? 19 (9 in 2008, 10 in 2007)
Career RBIs (10th is 92) ? 85 (39 in 2008, 46 in 2007)
Career Stolen Bases ? 9th, 32 (18 in 2008, 14 in 2007)
Season Doubles (10th is 12) ? 9, 2008
Season Doubles - 4th-t, 14, 2007
Season Home Runs (10th is 10) ? 9, 2008
Season Home Runs ? 10th-t, 10, 2007
Season Runs Batted In (10th is 42) ? 39, 2008
Season Runs Batted In ? 4th, 46, 2007
Season Extra Base Hits (9th is 22) ? 19, 2008
Season Extra Base Hits ? 5th, 25, 2007
Season Total Bases (10th is 104) ? 90, 2008
Season Total Bases ? 9th-t, 104, 2007
Lovena Chaput, Sr., SS, Tualatin, Ore.
Career Doubles ? 4th-tie, 34 (3rd is 36) ? (6 in ’08, 28 in 2005-07)
Career Triples ? 11th, 6 (8th is 7) ? (0 in ’08, 6 in 2005-07)
Career Home Runs ? 10th, 20 (9th is 21) ? (4 in ’08, 16 in 2005-07)
Season Doubles - 10th-t, 12, 2006
Cortney Kivett, Fr., 2B, Yucaipa, Calif.
Season Stolen Bases ? 31, 4th (3rd is 36), 2008
Season Hits (9th is 66) ? 50, 2008
Alicia Cook, Sr., P, Elmira, Ore.
Career Games ? 7th, 111 (6th is 114) ? (28 in 2008, 83 in 2005-07)
Career Wins ? 4th, 50 (3rd is 59) ? (11 in 2008, 39 in 2005-07)
Career Complete Games ? 7th, 52 (6th is 60) ? (12 in 2008, 40 in 2005-07)
Career Shutouts ? 4th, 19 (3rd is 21) ? (4 in 2008, 15 in 2005-07)
Career Innings ? 7th, 515.2 (6th is 631) ? (140.2 in 2008, 375 in 2005-07)
Career Strikeouts ? 4th, 393 (3rd is 445) ? (117 in 2008, 276 in 2005-07)
Career ERA (min. 200 IP) - 10. Alicia Cook 2.33 (172 ER, 515.2 innings) (9th is 2.05)? (45 ER in 2008, 127 in 2005-07)
Season Victories ? 4th, 23, 2007
Season Complete Games ? 10th-t. 23, 2007
Season Strikeouts ? 8th, 117, 2008 (7th is 125)
Season Strikeouts ? 7th, 125, 2007
Melissa Rice, Jr., P, Colville, Wash.
Career Shutouts ? 6th, 12 (5th is 14) ? (3 in 2008, 9 in 2006-07)
Career Victories ? 40, 7th (6th is 47) ? (11 in ’08, 29 in 2006, ’07)
Career Innings ? 8th, 424 (7th is 482.0) ? (108.1 in 2008, 315.2 in 2006-07)
Career Complete Games ? 9th, 36 (8th is 42) ? (9 in ’08, 27 in 2006-07)
Career Strikeouts ? 8th, 272 (7th is 316) ? (78 in ’08, 194 in 2006-07)
Career Appearances ? 8th, 96 (7th is 114) - (25 in ’08, 71 in 2006-07)
Season Victories ? 6th, 21, 2007
Season Appearances ? 9th, 40, 2007
Season 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: 209-132, Sixth Season
Overall Record: 581-407, 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 Harris, 1st Year
Undergraduate Assistant Coach: Suzie Barnes, 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)
Carlyn Re (CAR-lin RAY)
Kaitlin Vitek (VEE-tek)
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: 1
VARIOUS PAC-10 TEAM RANKINGS
- (as of 4/15/08)
HITTING
Average
7. Oregon State, .277
8. Oregon, .268
Runs
6t. Oregon State, 193
8. Oregon, 167
Hits
5. Oregon State, 333
8. Oregon, 304
Home Runs
4. Oregon, 30
7. Oregon State, 23
Stolen Bases
1. Oregon, 90
2. Oregon State, 62
PITCHING
ERA
5. Oregon, .213
8. Oregon State, 2.87
Strikeouts
7. Oregon, 215
8. Oregon State, 205
Walks
4. Oregon State, 81
5. Oregon, 97
Opposing Batting Average
7. Oregon, .233
8. Oregon State, .277
PAC-10 INDIVIDUAL RANKINGS
HITTING
Batting Average
7. Neena Bryant, UO, .377
Runs
NA
Total Bases
5t. Neena Bryant, UO, 90
Slugging
6. Neena Bryant, UO, .647
Hits
5t. Neena Bryant, UO, 53
7t. Chisholm, OSU, 51
9t, Cortney Kivett, UO, 50
Triples
3t. Sari-Jane Jenkins, UO, 2
RBIs
4t. Neena Bryant, UO, 39
Home Runs
NA
Stolen Bases
1. Cortney Kivett, UO, 31
2t. Sari-Jane Jenkins, UO, 23
5. Neena Bryant, UO, 18
7. Miranda, OSU, 13
8. Chisholm, OSU, 12
PITCHING
ERA
10. RUmfelt, UO, 1.92
Strikeouts
7. Dyer, OSU, 151
10. Alicia Cook, UO, 117
Wins
6t. Dyer, OSU, 16
10t. Alicia Cook, UO, 11
10t. Melissa Rice, UO, 11
Saves
1t. Alicia Cook, UO, 4
THIS WEEK’S NATIONAL POLLS (4/15)
USA Today/NFCA Division I Top 25 Poll
http://nfca.org/top25/index.php?cat_id=1
Rk Team Record Totals PVS
1 Alabama (6) 39-3 674 2
*2 Arizona State (14) 44-3 373 1
3 Florida (8) 46-2 664 3
4 Texas A&M 39-6 607 5
*5 UCLA 36-5 582 4
6 Michigan 38-4 576 6
*7 Stanford 37-7 507 8
*8 Oklahoma 35-11 470 7
9 Houston 37-5 466 10
*10 Arizona 29-12 453 9
*11 Tennessee 40-7 446 11
*12 Fresno State 39-8 370 13
*13 Northwestern 23-10 344 14
14 LSU 32-12 329 12
15 North Carolina 40-8-1 324 15
16 Long Beach State 31-11 269 16
17 Louisiana-Lafayette 31-10 241 18
18 Hawai'i 31-11 208 20
19 Virginia Tech 32-11 203 19
20 DePaul 28-12 134 22
21 Georgia 35-16 125 17
*22 Washington 25-14-1 110 23
*23 California 34-16 73 24
*24 San Diego State 30-13 56 21
25 Iowa 29-13 46 NR
Others receiving votes: Nevada 34, *Mississippi State 24, Auburn 23, Missouri 23, BYU 13, UMass 11, Creighton 10, Notre Dame 7, Central Florida 2, South Florida 2, Hofstra 1
Dropped out: No. 25 Nevada
-The USA Today/NFCA Division I Top 25 Poll is voted on by NCAA Division I head coaches representing each conference. First-place votes are in parentheses.
ESPN.com/USA Softball Collegiate Top 25
http://www.usasoftball.com/folders.asp?uid=3208
Rk Team Record Points PVS
*1. Arizona St. (17) 46-3 497 2
2. Alabama (1) 41-2 470 3
3 Florida (2) 46-2 467 4
*4. UCLA 36-5 440 1
5 Michigan 38-4 416 5
6 Texas A&M 39-6 409 6
*7. Arizona 29-12 363 7
*8. Stanford 37-7 359 8
*9. Tennessee 40-7 330 10
10. Houston 37-5 324 11
*11. Oklahoma 35-11 284 9
*12. Fresno State 39-8 273 12
*13. Northwestern 23-10 263 14
14. Long Beach St. 31-11 214 15
15. Hawaii 31-11 208 16
16. LSU 32-12 207 13
17. North Carolina 40-8-1 201 17
18. ULL 31-10 138 21
19. Virginia Tech 32-11 137 20
*20. Washington 25-14-1 90 23
*21. California 34-16 82 22
*22. San Diego State 30-13 75 18
23. Georgia 35-16 48 19
*24. Mississippi St. 35-15 43 24
25. DePaul 27-12 38 25
Parenthesis Denotes first place votes.
Others receiving votes: UMASS (29), BYU (20), Missouri (18), South Florida (11), Nevada (9), *Kansas (6), Iowa (4), Hofstra (2), Oklahoma State (2), Creighton (1) and Texas State (1).
* (Asterisk) Indicates Duck opponents in 2008.
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