No. 17 Duck Softball Welcomes No. 1 Huskies to Howe Field
*Updated season and career statistics are available via the link above, and Pac-10 stats and recent Duck-Husky boxscores are available in the PDF links box to the right.
THIS WEEK’S DUCK SOFTBALL ACTION (vs. No. 1 Washington (33-3, 5-1))
Game times: April 16-18 - Friday, 6 p.m., Saturday, 1 p.m.; Sunday, Noon
Promotions
- Fri., 4/16 – 6 p.m. - Lights Out - Wear black to the game.
- Sat., 4/17 – 1 p.m. - Little League / ASA Day - Wear your little league or softball jersey to the game and get in free.
- Sun., 4/18 – Noon - Pink Out Howe – Show your Bi-Mart card at the ticket window at the game and receive admission for two adults and two children for only $10.
SETTING THE STAGE
EUGENE – Tied for first in the Pac-10 for the second straight week, the No. 17 University of Oregon softball team (29-9, 5-1) welcomes returning national champion and No. 1 Washington (33-3, 5-1) for a three-game set at Howe Field in the third week of conference action.
Last week in UO’s first-ever series sweep of then-No. 13 California, junior first baseman Monique Fuiava became UO's fourth recipient of Pac-10 Player or Pitcher of the Week honors this season. The Las Vegas product drilled a walk-off two-run double and two-run homer, respectively, in the ninth innings of UO’s 7-6 and 8-6 wins in the first and last games of the series.
Sophomore Samantha Skillingstad (9-4) struck out 13 Cal batters in her nine innings combined and allowed only one earned run, and partnered on a 1-0 shutout with freshman Jessica Moore (13-2).
Overall, the Ducks have won 23 of their last 25 games since mid-February with their only losses to Oregon State (7-6) and at returning NCAA qualifier San Diego State, 5-2 in early March.
Last weekend, Washington swept then-No. 2 Arizona in Seattle, 2-1, 7-0 and 9-3. Husky senior and Canadian Olympian Danielle Lawrie pitched all 21 innings, and retired 39 of the Wildcats’ 63 outs via strikeouts after K’ing 14, 12 and 13 batters, respectively, en route to her record-tying 14th Pac-10 Pitcher of the Week honor.
UO has picked up at least one win vs. UW in five of the last seven years, and took the series, 2-1, in 2003 and ’04 when first-year Duck head coach Mike White served as the assistant coach in charge of UO pitchers and catchers.
DUCK-HUSKY SERIES NOTES
The Huskies picked the right time to get hot last year and ended the regular season on a 6-1 run to finish second in the Pac-10. Lawrie then led UW on a 9-2 postseason stretch en route to its first national title over top seed Florida with a pair of 8-0 and 3-2 wins.
No. 1 Washington has lost only three times this season to Utah State (7-4), DePaul (5-3) and UCLA (1-0), and Lawrie’s only start in those three outings was against UCLA, she didn’t pitch vs. Utah State, and relieved vs. DePaul. Last year, UW swept the series with 11-0 and 8-2 wins in Seattle and 2-0 in Eugene.
UO’s last victory vs. UW came in the 2008 regular season finale in Eugene and propelled UO into the postseason as Alicia Cook staked a 3-0 shutout against the then-No. 24 Huskies.
In UO’s 2-1 series wins in 2003 and ’04, White’s pitching pupils Ani Nyhus won twice in 2004 (2-1 and 10-2 vs. the then-No. 7 Huskies), and Andrea Vidlund and Anissa Meashintubby both staked 6-5 wins in 2003 at then-No. 5 UW.
RECENT DUCK HEROES
Last week at home in a sweep of then-No. 13 California:
- Junior first baseman Monique Fuiava connected on a career high and team season high four hits, and had two more in the finale. Among the seven Ducks who started all three games, she hit .500 - the only above .300 - and also paced the squad in hits (6), doubles (1), slugging (.833) and on-base percentage (.500), and ranked second in homers (1-tied). Glancing at stats from league play the first two weeks, she also paces the team in hitting (.500), hits (12), doubles (2-tied), and ranks second in walks (3-tied), and third in homers (1-tied) and slugging (.708). On the season, she leads the game-winning RBI (8) after knocking in five the last 14 games.
- Junior catcher Kaitlin Vitek socked her first homer of the season to center field in UO’s 1-0 win in the second game of the series. The Valencia, Calif., native led UO in hitting in the series (.667, 4-for-6), and has started four of the team’s six Pac-10 games after getting the opening nod in eight non-conference games. She nearly hit her first homer of 2010 the week before at Oregon State, but was robbed by a jumping catch over the fence by the centerfielder.
- Sophomore shortstop Kelsey Chambers hit .273 (2-for-7, 2 hit by pitch) and belted her sixth homer of the season – a new career high after she hit five last season. She ranks second on the team in homers (6), RBI (29), slugging (.569), game-winning RBI (7) and multi-RBI games (13).
- Freshman Samantha Pappas and senior center fielder Neena Bryant each hit .273 last weekend (3-for-11) and hit two and one homers, respectively, and Pappas’ season homer total (11) ranks ninth all-time for UO in a season. Pappas continues to pace the Pac-10 and ranks ninth nationally in batting (.477) and is ranked top-10 in various other league categories. Pappas was tabbed the Pac-10 Player of the Week two weeks before for her six-game tear in doubleheader sweeps of Idaho State, Portland State and Seattle. She rocked her first career grand slam and had a team season high 5 RBI (and the ninth-best total in school history) in the 19-0 win over Idaho State. In the prior doubleheaders she had perfect batting contests vs. PSU (3-for-3, walk) and Seattle (2-for-2, walk), and led the team in batting (.615), slugging (1.077), on-base percentage (.684), hits (8), RBI (10), home runs (2), walks (5), total bases (14) and stolen bases (3-for-3).
- On the mound vs. Cal, sophomore Samantha Skillingstad paced Duck hurlers in ERA (0.78), wins (2), appearances (3), strikeouts (13) and opposing batting average (.156), ranked second on the team in innings (9), and allowed only two walks. In her lone start - UO’s 1-0 win Saturday - she pitched six of the seven innings, struck out seven, walked two and gave up only three hits. In her 2.1 innings Sunday, she retired all five of her outs via strikeouts, and logged another 'K’ among her two outs that sealed Friday’s series opener. On the season, she leads the team in fewest home runs allowed (3), and ranks second on the squad in strikeouts (97), innings (73.2), and opposing batting average (.207). Career-wise, she already ranks ninth all-time in strikeouts (262).
- Freshman Jessica Moore picked up UO’s other win and struck out nine batters in her 10 innings over the weekend. She now ranks eighth in a season in strikeouts (154 / 113 innings). Two weeks prior she was tabbed Pac-10 Pitcher of the Week after combining on a perfect game vs. Idaho State, and went 3-0 that week with 29 strikeouts in 14 innings and logged a 0.00 ERA vs. ISU, Portland State and Seattle.
- Sophomore Mikayla Endicott worked another five innings last weekend for the Ducks out of the bullpen, struck out six in her five innings, walked only one and posted a 2.80 ERA. The week before at Oregon State, she struck out four and walked only one in her three innings.
NATIONAL CRED
Glancing at this week’s national rankings, the Ducks ranked third nationally in batting average (.338), seventh nationally in ERA (1.50), ninth in win-loss percentage (.829), 14th in slugging (0.540), 22nd in home runs (1.14 per game) and 25th in doubles (1.54 per game).
On the individual front, freshman right fielder Samantha Pappas ranked ninth nationally in batting (.477), 13th in slugging (.860), 14th in RBI (1.14 per game), 26th in on-base percentage (.540) and 31st in home runs (11). Fellow frosh outfielder Allie Burger stood 28th in batting (.433).
Freshman Jessica Moore was equally easy to find on this week’s NCAA pitching stat charts in ERA (17th, 1.12), strikeouts (27th, 9.5 per 7 inning average), fewest hits allowed (28th, 4.4 per 7 innings), strikeouts (49th, 154) and wins (66th, 13). The Sutter, Calif. ,native ranks 16th nationally in saves (3), just ahead of junior teammate Brittany Rumfelt (36th, 2).
Fans can find the Ducks’ national stat rankings updated every Tuesday on the NCAA website at the http://web1.ncaa.org/stats/StatsSrv/ranksummary?sportCode=WSB URL address.
HOME SWEET HOWE
After this weekend, the Ducks head to the desert for three games at Arizona State, Friday-Sunday, April 23-25, then returns home for its final non-conference tilts in a doubleheader vs. Portland State, Wednesday, April 28 at 4 p.m. Two of UO’s final three Pac-10 series are on the road vs, UCLA (Friday-Sunday, April 30-May 2) and Stanford (Thursday-Saturday, May 13-15), and its last home action is sandwiched in between vs. Arizona, Friday-Sunday, May 7-9.
RECENT STARTERS (‘10/’09/Career Starts)
C: Ashley Kivett (28/34/108), Kaitlin Vitek (12/27/45)
1B: Monique Fuiava (35/46/143)
2B: Kaylan Howard (34/-/34)
SS: Kelsey Chambers (35/49/84)
3B: Cortney Kivett (24/50/139)
RF: Samantha Pappas (35/-/35)
CF: Neena Bryant (34/50/209)
LF: Allie Burger (35/-/35)
DP: Carlyn Re (12/48/109), Kaitlin Vitek (12/27/45), Blair Williamson (18/14/71)
PAC-10 RANKINGS
This week, freshman right fielder Samantha Pappas leads the Pac-10 in batting (.477), and ranks second in slugging (.860), third in total bases (92), fourth in on-base percentage (.540) and top-10 in home runs (fifth-tie, 11), hits (sixth, 51), and RBI (seventh, 40). Among other Ducks spotted, freshman Allie Burger ranks fifth in batting (.433), junior first baseman Monique Fuiava is tied for eighth in doubles (8), and freshman sophomore infielder Kelsey Chambers is tied for fourth in sacrifice bunts (6).
On the mound, freshman Jessica Moore paces the Pac-10 in saves (3), and ranks top 10 in ERA (third, 1.12), games finished (third, 7), opposing batting average (fifth, .168), strikeouts (fifth, 154), relief appearances (fifth-tie, 7), fewest home runs allowed (fifth-tied, 5), wins (seventh-tie, 13), appearances (seventh-tie, 22), innings (seventh, 113) and starts (eighth, 15).
Sophomore Samantha Skillingstad is similarly ranked in strikeouts (ninth, 97), opposing batting average (10th, .207), and fewest home runs allowed (third, 3), as are junior Brittany Rumfelt (saves, second-tied, 2; games in relief, fifth-tied, 7) and sophomore Mikayla Endicott (games in relief, second-tied, 9).
As a team, the Ducks top the Pac-10 in batting (.335), ERA (1.50) and saves (5), and rank top six currently in several other categories:
Hitting
Batting – 1st, .338 (Arizona, 2nd, .335)
Sacrifice Bunts – 2nd, 30 (leader UCLA 34)
Doubles – 5th, 54 (leader OSU 61)
Slugging – 4th, .535 (leader Arizona .6591)
Total Bases – 6th, 494 (leader ASU 606)
Home Runs – 5th-t, 40 (leader Arizona 69)
Stolen Bases – 6th, 34 (leader California 109)
Pitching
Strikeouts – 2nd, 287 (leader California 320)
ERA – 1st, 1.50 (UCLA, 2nd, 1.53)
Fewest Walks – 4th-t, 73 (leader Wash., 43)
Fewest Home Runs – 1st, 11 (UCLA, 2nd, 15)
Opposing Batting Average–6th, .192 (leader Cal, .180)
THIS WEEK’S OPPONENT INFO
No. 1 Washington Huskies (33-3, 5-1), Fri., 4/16, 6 p.m.; Sat., 4/17, 1 p.m.; Sun., 4/18, Noon
Website: www.GoHuskies.com
Head Coach: Heather Tarr
Career Record (Years): 226-106-1 (7th)
Record at School: Same
Assistants: Gina Carbonatto, Lance Glasoe, J.T. D’Amico (Volunteer)
2009 Overall Record: 51-12
2009 Conference Record: 14-7, 2nd
2009 Postseason: National Champion (10-2)
Ret. Letterwinners/Starters/Pitchers: 12/6/3
Series Record: UW leads, 44-14
2010 Husky Statistical Leaders
- Jenn Salling, Jr., SS, .390, 41H, 6 2B, 4 3B, 6 HR, 29 RBI, .695 SLG
- Niki Williams, So., IF, .370, 40H, 4 2B, 7 HR, 32 RBI, .602 SLG
- Kimi Pohlman, So., OF, .363, 45H, 4 2B, 4 3B, 13 SB
- Danielle Lawrie, Sr., P, .327, 34H, 11 HR, 41 RBI, .673 SLG; 23-1, 0.99 ERA, 13 SHO, 262 SO, 162.1 Inn, 17 BB
- Hooch Fagaly, Fr., C-IF, .313, 21H, 4 2B
- Shawn Wright, Fr., C-IF, .307, 31H, 10 2B, 8 HR, 35 RBI, .663 SLG
IN THE POLLS
The Ducks jumped four spots in this week’s ESPN.com / USA Softball Poll after its first ever series sweep of then-No. 13 California last week at home.
UO’s 173 votes in this week’s ninth edition were 82 more than last week and the fifth straight poll that it ranked top 25.
Tuesday’s ranking was its highest since ending the 2007 campaign when it ranked 16th in late April heading into its series vs. then-No. 12 UCLA and then-No. 11 Washington – the same season the Ducks climbed as high as 10th nationally.
In recent versions, Oregon stood 21st the past two weeks, 25th in the fifth and sixth editions, and received votes in three other USA Softball polls – the preseason, third (3/1) and fourth (3/8) week editions.
In the USA Today / NFCA poll, UO made its first appearance at 23rd with 91 points after it received votes the previous four weeks and stood just outside the top 25.
Seven Pac-10 teams were tabbed top 20 this week in the USA Softball / NFCA editions - Washington (1/1), Arizona (3/4), Arizona State (6/6), UCLA (8/7), Stanford (10/8) and California (19/16).
Five other teams on UO’s schedule in ’10 received votes this week – No. 21/22 Texas A&M, No. -/24 Notre Dame, No. 25/- Hawai’i, BYU, San Diego State – and Fresno State and Texas Tech were sighted in recent editions.
Complete NFCA and USA Softball preseason polls are available at the http://nfca.org/top25/index.php?cat_id=1 and http://www.usasoftball.com/news.asp?uid=5398 URL addresses.
DUCK SEASON PREVIEW
Chasing its 12 postseason trip in school history, and sixth the past eight years, Oregon received preseason national poll votes for the seventh straight season. The Duck roster is full of veteran talent, and last year’s top three pitchers all return, including All-Pac-10 Freshman Team member and sophomore Samantha Skillingstad who posted UO’s fourth-best strikeout tally ever in ‘09 (170). Backing her up, seven of last year’s eight starting fielders are also back, including two-time All-Pac-10 Second Team pick, two-time USA Softball Player of the Year Watch List pick, and senior centerfielder Neena Bryant. This year’s freshman class has already made an immediate impact and includes prep All-America outfielders Allie Burger and Samantha Pappas, second baseman Kaylan Howard and starting pitcher Jessica Moore.
SIZING UP THE SCHEDULE
The Ducks face another grueling schedule in 2010 and look ahead to 32 games against 15 tournament qualifiers from last year’s NCAA field.
That list of who’s who in collegiate softball includes including last year’s national champion (Washington), two more World College World Series (WCWS) qualifiers (Arizona, Arizona State), three more regional champions (California, Stanford, UCLA), four more regional finalists (Cal Poly, Fresno State, Notre Dame, Texas A&M) and five more tourney qualifiers (BYU, Cal State Fullerton, Long Beach State, Portland State, San Diego State).
For comparison’s sake, UO’s 2009 schedule ranked eighth nationally among the 286 programs nationwide at the end of the regular season, and final collegiate softball RPI rankings are available at the http://web1.ncaa.org/app_data/weeklyrpi/2009WSBrpi1.html and http://www.fullysports.com/softball/2009/rpi websites.
Glancing at the preseason NFCA and USA Softball polls, six of UO’s 31 opponents this season were ranked top 12 – Washington (1/1), Arizona State (5/7), Arizona (6/4), UCLA (8/6), Stanford (10/12) and California (12/11). Fresno State also stood top 25 (25/24), and eleven other Duck foes received votes in at least one of the two preseason polls - BYU, Cal Poly, Cal State Fullerton, Cal State Northridge, Creighton, Hawai’i, Long Beach State, Notre Dame, San Diego State, Texas A&M and Western Michigan.
Fans should note that the Pac-10 schedule will feature a new scheduling twist – three-game, same-team weekend sets to ease the travel demands compared to the previous ‘travel pair’ arrangement. Duck fans will also be pleased to hear that with the addition of lights, Friday conference home tilts are pushed back to 6 p.m., along with several afternoon non-conference doubleheaders that start later than before.
To check on the status of home softball games that day and potential weather conflicts, fans can call (541) 346-6148.
ON THE CHARTS
On Oregon’s all-time career charts last week, senior Neena Bryant joined the top-10 list for at-bats (ninth, 630) and also climbed lists for home runs (fourth-tie, 31), hits (seventh, 195) and runs (ninth, 111), and freshman Jessica Moore improved to eighth all-time for strikeouts in a season (155). Bryant also ranks top 10 in several other categories, and a list of current Ducks on career, season and game all-time categories follows:
UO CAREER LEADERS
Stolen Bases
4, Neena Bryant – 70 (3rd is 71, 2nd is 72, 1st is 96)
9, Cortney Kivett – 48 (8th is 52, 6th-t, is 58, 5th is 60)
Runs Batted In
4, Neena Bryant – 134 (3rd is 136, 2nd is 141)
Home Runs
5, Neena Bryant – 30 (4th is 31, 3rd is 33, 2nd is 35, 1st is 37)
Doubles
5, Neena Bryant – 35 (3rd (tie) is 36, 2nd is 39, 1st is 41)
Hits
10, Neena Bryant – 194 (7th is 195, 6th is 207, 5th is 212)
Batting Average
10, Neena Bryant - .313 (9th is .324, 8th is .326, 7th is .333)
Strikeouts
9, Samantha Skillingstad – 254 (8th is 300, 7th is 316)
UO SEASON LEADERS
Stolen Bases
4, 33 - Cortney Kivett, 2008
5, 27 - Neena Bryant, 2009
8, 23 - Neena Bryant, 2008
Doubles
4t, 14 - Neena Bryant, 2007
Runs Batted In
4t, 46 - Neena Bryant, 2007, ‘08
34 – Sam Pappas, 2010 (10th is 42, 8th (tie) is 44)
Extra Base Hits
5t, 25 - Neena Bryant, 2007
17 – Sam Pappas, 2010 (9th (tie) is 22, 5th (tie) is 25)
Total Bases
9t, 104 - Neena Bryant, 2007, ‘08
- 83 – Sam Pappas, 2010 (10th is 104)
Home Runs
10, 10 - Neena Bryant, 2007, ‘08
9 – Sam Pappas, 2010 (10th is 10, 8th (tie) is 11), 6th (tie) is 12)
Strikeouts
4, 170 - Samantha Skillingstad, 2009
9th, 145 – Jessica Moore, 2010 (8th is 153, 7th is 159, 6th is 168)
UO GAME LEADERS
Stolen Bases
1t, 4 - Neena Bryant, vs. Wichita State, 2/14/09
4t, 3 - Cortney Kivett, at UNLV, 3/8/08
Hits
2t, 4 - Cortney Kivett, vs. Seattle, 3/24/09
Home Runs
3t, 2 - Monique Fuiava, vs Cal Poly, 2/9/08
3t, 2 - Monique Fuiava, vs Cal State Fullerton, 2/13/09
3t, 2 – Carlyn Re, vs. North Dakota, 3/13/10
Runs Batted In
5t, 6 - Monique Fuiava, vs Cal Poly, 2/9/08
10t, 5 – Samantha Pappas, vs. Idaho State, 3/26/10
Strikeouts
3t, 12 – Jessica Moore, vs. Creighton, 2/12/10
3t, 12- Jessica Moore, vs. Cal Poly, 3/6/10
3t, 12 – Sam Skillingstad, at PSU, 3/23/10
9t, 11 – Jessica Moore, vs. No. 19 Texas A&M, 2/25
9t, 11 – Samantha Skillingstad, vs. North Dakota, 3/13/10
14t, 10 - Samantha Skillingstad at Stanford, 4/24/09
14t, 10 – Brittany Rumfelt vs. No. 12 Missouri, 2/27/09
14t, 10 – Jessica Moore, vs. Hawai’i, 2/26/10
14t, 10 – Jessica Moore, at PSU, 3/23/10
14t, 10 – Jessica Moore, at Oregon State, 4/1/10
DUCKS TO WATCH
The squad smacks of experience and welcomes back 14 letterwinners led by senior centerfielder Neena Bryant, a repeat All-Pac-10 Second Team honoree in ’09. The squad also returns its top three pitchers from last season – junior Brittany Rumfelt and sophomores Mikayla Endicott and Samantha Skillingstad – and the latter was an All-Pac-10 Freshman Team pick.
Starters from seven field positions also return in 2010 – Bryant, fellow senior outfielders Shelley Deadmond and Blair Williamson and first baseman Carlyn Re; junior first baseman Monique Fuiava, infielder Cortney Kivett and catchers Ashley Kivett and Kaitlin Vitek; and sophomore infielder/outfielder Kelsey Chambers and infielder Lindsey Chambers.
Also ready to make an immediate impact, UO’s talented four-person newcomer class includes outfielder Allie Burger (Spokane, Wash.), infielder Kaylan Howard (Riverside, Calif.), pitcher Jessica Moore (Sutter, Calif.) and outfielder Samantha Pappas (Las Flores, Calif.).
DOUBLE YOUR FUN
The Ducks again sport a pair of twins on their roster in 2010 – all four of whom have frequently started the past two seasons.
The fraternal set of juniors Ashley Kivett and Cortney Kivett sisters have combined to start 247 games in the infield their first three years. Cortney paced the Pac-10 in steals as a freshman with UO’s fourth-most ever in a season (33), while Ashley socked homers last year against both Pac-10 Northwest rivals, Oregon State and Washington.
The identical sophomore pair of Kelsey Chambers and Lindsey Chambers have combined for 17 homers (11 / 6) in their young careers, including six and two, respectively, this season. They saw the most action among newcomers last year as Kelsey started in right field the first half of ‘09, then started 24 games in the remainder at second base (and had two more at shortstop), and Lindsey’s starts came in the left side of the infield with 18 at third base and 22 at shortstop.
POWER SURGE
The Oregon bats have come alive this season as 12 players have combined to sock 40 homers already (for a 1.14 home run per game ratio). Compare that with last year’s total (39), also by nine players, which equated to a rate of about 2/3 that (0.78 per game). From a historical standpoint, UO’s highest total (69) came in a 69-game season in 1999 (for a 1.0 per game ratio).
Pappas leads the Ducks in homers (11) – tied for the eighth-best mark in school history - and is followed by freshman Kaylan Howard and sophomore Lindsey Chambers (6-tied), junior Monique Fuiava (4), and seniors Neena Bryant and Carlyn Re (3-tied). Ducks with single shots include freshmen Allie Burger and Jessica Moore, juniors Brittany Rumfelt and Kaitlin Vitek and senior Blair Williamson.
For comparison’s sake, Bryant has 31 career homers total (after clubbing 10 in both ’07 and ’08 and 8 in ’09), and is tied for fourth all-time for UO. Fuiava led UO in homers (8) last year, and her 19 career homers are only three away from the 10th-best mark (22).
BORN TO RUN
The Ducks have been one of the Pac-10’s top teams on the basepaths and their 68 steals in ’09 ranked third in the league, after they topped the conference in 2007 (120) and ‘08 (110).
Going back into the Duck history books, those two aforementioned marks are the best in school history and ranked eighth and 19th nationally, while last year’s mark ranked sixth-best in the Duck record books and 47th in the nation.
Individually, four of UO’s top-10 career stolen bases leaders have made their presence felt on the basepaths in recent seasons –Sari-Jane Jenkins (first, 96), Suzie Barnes (third, 71), senior Neena Bryant (fourth, 64) and junior Cortney Kivett (ninth, 44).
Kivett and Jenkins led the Pac-10 in stolen bases in ’08 (33 / 32) – the fourth- and fifth-best Duck marks all-time behind Barnes’ and Jenkins’ totals in ‘07 (41 / 38) and former Duck Marnie McCall’s 36 swipes in ’92. Bryant is spotted twice on the all-time Duck season list with her 27 last season (#6) and 23 in ’08 (#8).
TOP DUCK PROFILE
First-year head coach Mike White is widely regarded as one of finest-ever U.S. National Team players and pitching mentors in the country. The 2009 International Softball Congress (ISC) Hall of Fame selection, also is well-known in the area as an integral part of two of Oregon’s greatest teams in 2003 and ‘04 and one of the West Coast’s top prep coaches.
In that prior Duck stint as an assistant coach, the Ducks lowered their ERA from 3.01 the season prior to his arrival to 2.12 and 1.68, respectively, while its strikeout totals of 347 and 394 – the best two in school history – far outdistanced its 223 total from 2002.
His first-year pupils included then-freshman Amy Harris who set a single-season strikeout record (180) his first season, while senior Andrea Vidlund led the nation in saves and set a Pac-10 record (11). The next season, newcomer Ani Nyhus was an All-Pac-10 First Team and NCAA Regional All-Tournament choice and two-time conference pitcher of the week. The junior college transfer notched 20 wins (25-12), rewrote the program’s single-season strikeout record (202) and pitched a no-hitter vs. Utah State. Catcher Jenn Poore was also an All-American and All-Pac-10 Second Team honoree in ’04 and drafted into the National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) league.
Since then, he has continued to live in Eugene with his family and has remained active as an assistant coach for one of the nation’s top programs at Marist High School during the 2008-09 seasons. The program ended 2009 ranked 22nd nationally by USA Today and won consecutive 4A state titles after identical 29-1 seasons. He has also coached the Northwest Thunder and Northwest Bullets Amateur Softball Association of America (ASA) youth club teams and served as a private instructor for various elite players of all levels.
As a player, the New Zealand native became a U.S. citizen in 1994 and helped the two national teams claim two gold medals, two silver medals and one bronze in his four trips with New Zealand and two with the United States
In 2000, he helped guide the USA to a bronze medal in the World Championships when he went 2-0 with a 0.89 ERA and 19 strikeouts. In 1999, the U.S. won the silver medal at the Pan Am Games, and he was 3-2 with a 0.68 ERA and 35 strikeouts. He also played on three silver medal Pan-American Games teams in 1995, 1999 and 2003.
Among other honors, the multiple Amateur Softball Association of America (ASA) MVP pitcher and All-American helped lead teams to five ASA national titles and five ISC World Club Championships, and was the 2002 ASA Player of the Year.
MORE LOVE FOR THE DUCK STAFF
In his first move as a head coach, White quickly and wisely tapped three of the West Coast’s top players to fill out his coaching staff.
Former Stanford All-America catcher Jessica Allister has as an assistant coach two years at both Stanford and Georgia and helped the teams to five NCAA trips, three Super Regional bids, one Southeastern Conference title, and another SEC East Division crown. As a player, the three-time All-Pac-10 pick helped Stanford to four postseason bids and two World Series trips, then played professionally for the New England Riptide in 2004 and ‘05.
Former UCLA All-American Lisa Dodd has earned similar respect as a Nevada assistant coach after she helped them to WAC conference title, top-20 rankings and NCAA bid in 2008. As a pitcher and infielder, the 2007 NFCA Second-Team All-American helped the Bruins to three straight WCWS trips and a Pac-10 title in 2006. She went on to play professionally in Italy in 2007 and ’08, while as a prep she was tabbed the 2003 Gatorade National Prep Player of the Year.
Duck faithful are more than familiar with the leadership abilities of recent great Sari-Jane Jenkins who will serve as an undergraduate assistant coach in 2010. The Duck school stolen base record holder (96), was a 2007 All-Pac-10 / All-Region Honoree and ’09 team captain. She also ranks top-10 all-time for Oregon in hits (second, 230), runs (fourth, 135), doubles (seventh, 33) and batting average (10th, .324). Last summer she played for Akron in the National Professional Fastpitch league after she was drafted 19th overall last spring and the fourth of six Pac-10 players selected in the draft.
CATCH THE ACTION LIVE
Duck softball fans can track home action this season several ways. For home games, O-Zone subscribers can listen to and watch games online for as little as $6.66 per month (for a 12-month membership), and a link to signing up is available at the www.GoDucks.com multimedia link at the top of each page.
Fans from Duck opponents can catch multiple games online for a $9.95 automatically-renewing monthly membership (and should cancel the membership before the end of the month to prevent the next month's charge).
Live stats for all home and away contests are available for free via the softball schedule page by clicking on the page icon with the '1" in the far right media column.
PAC-10 PRESEASON POLL
In the annual Pacific-10 Conference Softball Coaches Preseason Poll, returning national champion and No. 1-ranked Washington received seven of the eight first-place votes and 49 points – both maximum totals possible. No. 6 Arizona followed in second place with 41 points, and was followed by No. 8 UCLA (third, 37 points, 1 first-place vote), No. 5 Arizona State (fourth-tie, 26), No. 10 Stanford (fourth-tie, 26), No. 12 California (sixth, 25), Oregon (seventh-tie, 10) and Oregon State (seventh-tie, 10).
THE ‘CONFERENCE OF CHAMPIONS’
The Pac-10’s moniker is validated by the fact the eight Pac-10 schools have combined to win 22 of the 27 softball NCAA national championships, including the last four. Last year, the Pac-10 advanced six teams to the 16-team Super Regional level, including three of the eight World Series qualifiers.
TICKET INFORMATION
In 2010, the Ducks will host 19 home games on 14 dates at Howe Field. UO has four non-conference doubleheader dates early in the schedule vs. Boise State (Sat., March 13, 2 p.m.), North Dakota (Sat., March 13, 4 p.m.), Seattle (Thu., March 25, 3 p.m.) and Idaho State (Fri., March 26) , then has another non-conference twin-bill vs. Portland State (Wed., April 28, 4 p.m.).
Oregon’s first home Pac-10 contest is a 6 p.m. tilt against California, Friday, April 9. Four weeks later, UO caps its home slate vs. eight-time national champion Arizona, Friday-Sun., May 7-9. The Ducks also have a three-game slate against defending national champion Washington, Friday-Sunday, April 16-18.
Varsity sport tickets are available through the Oregon Athletic Ticket Office (1-800-WEB-FOOT, 541 346-4461 locally), and tickets are for general admission seating are $5 for Adults and $3 for Children (2-18) and Seniors (62+). Groups of 10 or more that arrange for tickets in advance can purchase GA tickets for $2 each. Current UO Students that show valid UO ID’s at the entry gate will receive general admission at no charge.
UPCOMING HOME GAME PROMOTIONS
Fri., 4/16 – Washington, 6 p.m. - Lights Out - Wear black to the game.
Sat., 4/17 – Washington, 1 p.m. - Little League / ASA Day - Wear your little league or softball jersey to the game and get in free.
Sun., 4/18 – Washington, Noon - Pink Out Howe – Show your Bi-Mart card at the ticket window at the game and receive admission for two adults and two children for only $10.
Wed., 4/28 – Portland State, 4 p.m. – 2 For 1 Day – Pick up a ‘Bi-Mart 2 For 1’ coupon at any Eugene-Springfield Bi-Mart location and get two general admission tickets for the price of one.
Friday, May 7 – Arizona, 6 p.m. – Go ‘O’ Day – Wear your 2009-10 ‘Go O or Go Home’ spirit t-shirt and receive your general admission ticket for $1.
Saturday, May 8 – Arizona, 1 p.m. –Kidsports Day – Wear your Kidsports shirt to the game and get in for free.
Sunday, May 9 – Arizona, Noon – Happy Mother’s Day – All mothers get into the ballpark free.
* (DH = Doubleheader)
THE ROAD TO OKLAHOMA CITY
In 2010, Oregon will seek its 12th postseason bid to the NCAA tournament and sixth in the last eight years. The 64-team NCAA tournament kicks off on May 21-23 at 16 sites nationally; the Super Regionals are set for May 28-29; and the Women’s College World Series returns to Oklahoma City, June 3-9. The 2010 Selection Show will be aired live on Sunday, May 16 from 7 -8 p.m. on ESPN-U. To see last year’s NCAA bracket, visit the http://www.ncaa.com/brackets/2009/ncaa_bracket_DI_softball.html URL address.
OREGON POSTSEASON HISTORY
UO’s first postseason trip was in 1976 to the AIAW World Series, an event it returned to in 1980. The Ducks’ next regional trip in 1989 (3-1) resulted in its lone Women’s College World Series invitation where it went 1-2 with a win over South Carolina (1-0) and losses to Cal Poly Pomona (1-0) and Arizona (4-0). The Ducks also advanced to regional play in 1990 (0-2), ’94 (2-2), ’98 (2-2), ’99 (1-2) and 2000 (2-2). After a two-year absence, White helped the Ducks return to the regional final and one game from the Women’s College World Series in trips in ’03 to Fullerton, Calif. (5-2) and ’04 to Tallahassee, Fla., (4-2). Oregon also scored recent regional final appearances in ’05 (2-2) and ’07 in Columbia, S.C. (2-2) and ’08 (2-2) in Norman, Okla.
SUMMER FUN
Girls in grades 2-12 are invited to sign up for the Oregon Softball Summer Camp, that will be hosted in Eugene on June 21-24, 2010. More information is available at the www.GoDucks.com front-page camps link, and at the http://www.goducks.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=500&ATCLID=204830692 URL address. Dates and information for other upcoming fall and winter camps for 2010-11 are also listed on this page.
SEE WHITE WEEKLY ON GODUCKS.TV
Oregon softball fans can get a weekly update from head coach Mike White every Tuesday at 9:45 a.m. on Jerry Allen’s www.GoDucks.TV sports talk show. Fans can watch the show live, and previous shows are also archived.
2010 OREGON SOFTBALL QUICK FACTS / MEDIA INFORMATION
UNIVERSITY INFORMATION
Location: Eugene, Ore.
Enrollment: 20,394
President: Richard Lariviere
Athletics Director: Mike Bellotti
Senior Women’s Administrator: Renee Baumgartner
Colors / Nickname: Green and Yellow (Pantone 342 & Yellow)
Nickname: Ducks
Conference: Pacific-10
Home Field (Capacity): Howe Field (3,000)
Department Web site: www.GoDucks.com
Home Game Status Update Line (b/c of weather conflicts): (541) 346-6148
OREGON SOFTBALL HISTORY / INFORMATION
Preseason All-Time Softball Record: 877-810-1 (First Year, 1974)
Postseason Trips: 1976, 80, 89*, 90, 94, 98, 99, 2000, 03, 04, 05, 07, 08
Women’s College World Series Appearances*: 1989
All-Americans: 8
2009 Record / Pac-10 Record (Place): 16-34 / 3-18 (8th)
Letterwinners Returning / Lost: 14 (5 Sr., 5 Jr., 4 So.) / 2
Position Starters Returning / Lost: 7 / 1 (OF)
Position Players Returning / Lost: 12 / 1 (OF)
Pitchers Returning / Lost: 3 / 1
Top 2010 Returnees (2009 Stats)
- Neena Bryant (Sr., OF, .314, 49 H, 8 HR, 28 RBI, 27 SB)
- Kelsey Chambers (So., IF, .225, 27 H, 7 2B, 5 HR, 21 RBI)
- Lindsey Chambers (So., IF, 4 HR, 11 RBI)
- Monique Fuiava (Jr., 1B-DP, .225, 29 H, 8 HR, 19 RBI)
- Ashley Kivett (Jr., C, 17 H, 2 HR, 13 RBI, 10 BB)
- Cortney Kivett (Jr., IF, .257, 39 H,11 SB)
- Carlyn Re (Sr., 1B, .220, 29 H, 1 HR, 11 RBI, 11 BB)
- Samantha Skillingstad (So., P, 2.36 ERA, 12-15, 4 SHO, 170 SO)
- Kaitlin Vitek (Jr., C, 10 H, 2 HR, 10 BB)
- Blair Williamson (Sr., OF, 14 H, 3 HR, 7 RBI, .342 SLG)
Key 2009 Losses (2009 Statistics)
- Sari-Jane Jenkins (OF, .292, 45 H, 6 HR, 17 RBI, 16 SB)
- Melissa Rice (P, 5.65, 0-6, 31 Inn., 19 SO)
Newcomers (4)
- Allie Burger, Fr., OF, Spokane Wash.
- Kaylan Howard, Fr., IF, Riverside, Calif.
- Jessica Moore, Fr., P, Sutter, Calif.
- Samantha Pappas, Fr., OF, Las Flores, Calif.
MEDIA SERVICES INFORMATION
Assistant Ath. Director, Media Services: Dave Williford
Assistant (SB Contact): Geoff Thurner, (541) 346-2250
E-mail: gthurner@uoregon.edu
Department web site: www.goducks.com
Address: 2727 Leo Harris Parkway, Eugene, Ore. 97401
Office Phone: 541/346-5488
Office FAX: 541/346-5449
Press Box Phone: 541-346-4497
OREGON SOFTBALL MEDIA
Daily Emerald Student Newspaper: www.dailyemerald.com
Eugene Register Guard: www.registerguard.com
Oregonian: www.oregonlive.com
KEZI-TV (ABC): www.kezi.org
KMTR-TV (NBC): www.kmtr.org
KVAL-TV (CBS): www.kval.org
KUGN-590 AM (Radio): www.kugn.com
Duck News (Online): www.DuckNews.com
MORE ONLINE SOFTBALL INFORMATION
NCAA: www.ncaasports.com
NCAA Playing Rules: http://www.ncaapublications.com/ProductsDetailView.aspx?sku=SR11
NCAA Championships Handbooks: http://ncaa.org/wps/portal/ncaahome?WCM_GLOBAL_CONTEXT=/wps/wcm/connect/ncaa/NCAA/Sports+and+Championship/General+Information/championship+handbooks
NCAA Record Books: http://web1.ncaa.org/web_files/stats/SB_Records/2010/DivI.pdf
Pacific-10 Conference: www.Pac-10.org
National Professional Fastpitch League (NPF): www.profastpitch.com
International Softball Federation: www.internationalsoftball.com
USA Softball: www.USAsoftball.ccm
National Fastpitch Coaches Association: www.nfca.org
Ultimate Softball: www.ultimatesoftball.com
Season RPI Ratings: http://warrennolan.com/softballl
2010 OREGON SOFTBALL ROSTER / PRONUNCIATIONS
NUMERICAL ROSTER
# Name Pos. B/T Ht. Yr. Hometown (H.S./College)
00 Samantha Pappas OF L/R 5-10 Fr. Las Flores, Calif. (Tesoro)
1 Cortney Kivett IF L/R 5-3 Jr. Yucaipa, Calif. (Yucaipa)
2 Allie Burger OF L/R 5-3 Fr. Spokane, Wash. (Shadle Park)
3 Kaylan Howard 2B R/R 5-4 Fr. Riverside, Calif. (Poly)
4 Blair Williamson OF L/R 5-8 Sr. Salem, Ore. (Sprague)
5 Lindsey Chambers IF R/R 5-4 So. Concord, Calif. (Clayton Valley)
6 Neena Bryant OF R/R 5-6 Sr. Placentia, Calif. (El Dorado)
7 Samantha Skillingstad RHP R/R 5-10 So. Spokane,Wash.(Shadle Park)
8 Kelsey Chambers IF R/R 5-4 So. Concord, Calif. (Clayton Valley)
9 Mikayla Endicott RHP R/R 5-7 So. Roseburg, Ore. (RHS)
10 Hannah Barril IF L/R 5-1 Sr. Juneau, Alaska (Douglas)
11 Ashley Kivett C R/R 5-4 Jr. Yucaipa, Calif. (Yucaipa)
12 Jessica Moore RHP R/R 5-10 Fr. Sutter, Calif. (Sutter)
13 Kaitlin Vitek C R/R 5-8 Jr. Valencia, Calif. (William S. Hart)
15 Monique Fuiava 1B R/R 5-8 Jr. Las Vegas, Nev (Mojave)
24 Carlyn Re 1B L/L 5-6 Sr. Tualatin, Ore. (Tualatin)
25 Shelley Deadmond OF L/R 5-6 RSr. Chico, Calif. (Butte)
27 Jordan Reeves C R/R 5-8 So. Fairbanks, Alaska (Lathrop)
35 Brittany Rumfelt LHP L/L 5-8 Jr. Lakeport, Calif. (Clear Lake)
ALPHABETICAL ROSTER
# Name Pos. B/T Ht. Yr. Hometown (H.S./College)
10 Hannah Barril IF L/R 5-1 Sr. Juneau, Alaska (Douglas)
6 Neena Bryant OF R/R 5-6 Sr. Placentia, Calif. (El Dorado)
2 Allie Burger OF L/R 5-3 Fr. Spokane, Wash. (Shadle Park)
8 Kelsey Chambers IF R/R 5-4 So. Concord, Calif. (Clayton Valley)
5 Lindsey Chambers IF R/R 5-4 So. Concord, Calif. (Clayton Valley)
25 Shelley Deadmond OF L/R 5-6 RSr. Chico, Calif. (Butte)
9 Mikayla Endicott RHP R/R 5-7 So. Roseburg, Ore. (RHS)
15 Monique Fuiava 1B R/R 5-8 Jr. Las Vegas, Nev (Mojave)
3 Kaylan Howard 2B R/R 5-4 Fr. Riverside, Calif. (Poly)
11 Ashley Kivett C R/R 5-4 Jr. Yucaipa, Calif. (Yucaipa)
1 Cortney Kivett IF L/R 5-3 Jr. Yucaipa, Calif. (Yucaipa)
12 Jessica Moore RHP R/R 5-10 Fr. Sutter, Calif. (Sutter)
00 Samantha Pappas OF L/R 5-10 Fr. Las Flores, Calif. (Tesoro)
24 Carlyn Re 1B L/L 5-6 Sr. Tualatin, Ore. (Tualatin)
27 Jordan Reeves C R/R 5-8 So. Fairbanks, Alaska (Lathrop)
35 Brittany Rumfelt LHP L/L 5-8 Jr. Lakeport, Calif. (Clear Lake)
7 Samantha Skillingstad RHP R/R 5-10 So. Spokane,Wash.(Shadle Park)
4 Blair Williamson OF L/R 5-8 Sr. Salem, Ore. (Sprague)
13 Kaitlin Vitek C R/R 5-8 Jr. Valencia, Calif. (William S. Hart
Head Coach: Mike White, 1st Season
Assistant Coaches: Jessica Allister (1st Season)
Assistant Coach: Lisa Dodd (1st Season)
Undergrad. Asst. Coach: Sari-Jane Jenkins (1st Season)
Managers: Garrett Gilchrist, John Mitchell
Athletic Trainers: Rachel Painter, Clay Jamieson
** PRONUNCIATION GUIDE **
Hannah Barril (buh-RIL); Mikayla Endicott (mih-KAY-lah IN-dih-cot), Monique Fuiava (foo-EE-ah-vah, Sari-Jane Jenkins (SARRY-Jane), Ashley & Courtney Kivett (KIHV-et), Carlyn Re (CAR-lynn RAY), Samantha Skillingstad (SKILL-ing-stad), Kaitlin Vitek (VEE-tek)
SQUAD BREAKDOWN
BY CLASS
Seniors: 5
Juniors: 5
Sophomores: 5
Freshmen: 4
BY POSITION
Infielders: 7
Outfielders: 5
Pitchers; 4
Catchers: 3
BY STATE
California: 10
Oregon: 3
Washington: 3
Alaska: 2
Nevada: 1
AT BAT
Right/Left: 11/8
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS (# of letters): Hannah Barril (3); Neena Bryant: (3); Carlyn Re (3); Blair Williamson (3), Monique Fuiava (2), Ashley Kivett (2), Cortney Kivett (2), Brittany Rumfelt (2), Kaitlin Vitek (2), Kelsey Chambers (1), Lindsey Chambers (1), Shelley Deadmond (1), Mikayla Endicott (1), Samantha Skillingstad (1). Letterwinners Lost (2): Sari-Jane Jenkins (4), Melissa Rice (4)
NATIONAL POLLS (4/13) – Week #9
ESPN.com/USA Softball Collegiate Top 25
http://nfca.org/top25/index.php?cat_id=1
Rk Team Record Totals Prev
Rk Team Record Totals Prev
*1. Washington (25) 33-3 500 1
2. Michigan 30-5 475 3
*3. Arizona 32-7 453 2
4. Florida 30-4 442 5
5. Alabama 31-9 412 7
*6. Arizona State 35-6 396 10
7. Georgia Tech 35-6 387 6
*8. UCLA 27-9 350 4
9. Oklahoma State 36-7 336 11
*10. Stanford 30-6 322 9
11. Georgia 31-8 300 12
12. Oklahoma 31-9 281 13
13. LSU 32-9 243 14
14. Missouri 27-8 242 8
15. Texas 34-9 225 17
16. Florida State 36-9 182 16
**17. Oregon 28-6 173 21
18. Tennessee 33-8 158 18
*19. California 30-11 157 15
20. Illinois 27-5 116 19
*21. Texas A&M 32-11 108 20
22. UMass 25-7 47 25
23. North Carolina 31-13 45 24
24. Ohio State 22-11 40 22
*25. Hawaii 33-11 31 RV
Others Receiving Votes: *Notre Dame (17), *San Diego State (17), *BYU (14), DePaul (8), Hofstra (7), Louisville (6), Fordham (5), Baylor (2), Arkansas (1), Chattanooga (1) and Kentucky (1).
Dropped Out: Baylor / New to Poll: Hawaii
* Denotes Duck opponents in 2010
USA Today/NFCA Division I Top 25 Poll
http://www.usasoftball.com/folders.asp?uid=3208
Rk Team (1st Pl. Vts) Record Points Prev
*1 Washington (30) 33-3 750 1
2 Michigan 30-5 715 2
3 Florida 30-4 674 4
*4 Arizona 32-6 658 3
5 Alabama 31-9 626 6
*6 Arizona St. 35-6 595 9
*7 UCLA 27-9 552 5
*8 Stanford 30-6 541 8
9 Georgia Tech 35-6 475 10
9 Oklahoma State 36-7 475 12
11 Missouri 27-8 458 7
12 Oklahoma 31-9 441 11
13 Georgia 31-8 410 15
14 Texas 34-9 342 16
15 LSU 32-9 329 14
16 Tennessee 33-8 276 17
*16 California 30-11 276 13
18 Illinois 27-5 218 18
19 Florida State 36-8 215 19
20 Ohio State 22-11 159 20
21 Massachusetts 25-7 128 22
*22 Texas A&M 32-11 122 21
**23 Oregon 28-6 91 RV
*24 Notre Dame 29-6 77 T23
25 Louisville 25-12 58 T23
Others Receiving Votes: *Hawaii 50, North Carolina 16, *BYU 9, Hofstra 7, Fordham 4, Chattanooga 1, *San Diego State 1, Arkansas 1
Dropped Out: No. 25 Hawaii
Parenthesis Denotes first place votes.
-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.
- www.GoDucks.com –
