No. 20 Ducks Make Final Postseason Push at No. 15 Stanford
THIS WEEK’S DUCK SOFTBALL ACTION
No. 15 Stanford (33-17, Pac-10 5-13 (7th))
Location: Stanford Softball Field, Stanford, Calif.
Dates: Thursday (5/13), 7 p.m.; Friday (5/14), 6 p.m., Saturday (5/15), Noon
Opponent Website: www.GoStanford.com
SETTING THE STAGE
EUGENE – With the postseason only a week away, the No. 20 University of Oregon softball team (33-16, 8-10) takes on its fifth straight top-20 Pac-10 rival this week when it travels to No. 15 Stanford (33-71, 5-13) for a three-game set.
UO’s eight conference wins are its most since it won 10 in 2003 and ’04 when first-year head coach Mike White served as an assistant coach for the Ducks. Oregon has also beaten at least five different Pac-10 teams this season – No. 1 UW, No. 3 Arizona, No. 9 ASU, No. 13 Cal (3), OSU (2) – for the first time since topping all seven rivals in ‘04.
For comparison’s sake, the No. 15 Cardinal enter this week on a 1-12 slide in league play the last month of the season after a mid-April injury to its top pitcher, freshman Teagan Gerhart (22-6).
Afterwards, the Ducks will tune into the 64-team NCAA tournament field announcement Sunday, May 16 on ESPN-U at 7 p.m. Pacific Time in anticipation of their 12th postseason bid in school history. The show will be replayed an hour later on ESPNews at 8 p.m.
Last week, the Ducks went 2-3 in their final home games vs. Portland State and No. 3 Arizona. No. 19 UO clinched its seventh series over PSU the last eight years with a 3-1 mark, after a 5-4 win and 4-1 loss to the Vikings last Wednesday. UO came back to go 1-2 vs. No. 3 Arizona and top the eight-time national champions for the fourth time the last three seasons.
In UO’s 2-1 win over No. 3 UA Saturday, Neena Bryant drilled a two-run, 11th-inning home run that moved her up Duck all-time career categories in home runs (second, 34), RBI (second, 141) and hits (sixth, 208).
In the same game, freshman Jessica Moore held the nation’s top run-producing offense scoreless until the top of the 11th inning en route to 13 strikeouts – the fourth-most in school history. The Sutter, Calif., native also set a new school record for strikeouts in a season (214) and passed two of head coach Mike White’s former pupils, Amy Harris (second, 203, 2005) and Ani Nyhus (third, 202, 2004).
Overall, the Ducks have won 28 of their last 40 games since mid-February with their only losses to No. 1 Washington, then-No. 3 Arizona, then-No. 5 UCLA, then-No. 9 Arizona State, returning NCAA qualifier San Diego State, Oregon State and Indiana.
FURTHER UP DOWN THE ROAD
In the opening weekend of NCAA tournament play (Thursday-Sunday, May 20-23), 16 sites will host four-team, double-elimination regionals. The regional champions then advance to eight regional sites, Friday-Saturday, May 28-29 for a best-of-three series. The eight Super Regional champions then play in double elimination format in the Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City, Tuesday-Tuesday, June 1-8. More information on the NCAA tournament is available at the www.NCAAsports.com website.
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.
CARDINAL SERIES NOTES
UO has won the season series with Stanford in 2007 (2-1), ’06 (2-1), ’04 (2-1) and ’03 (2-1), and the latter two years, first-year Duck head coach Mike White served as an assistant coach for UO.
Recent Duck Wins Vs. Stanford (Cardinal national ranking in ())
2007: 8-0 (#11), W-Melissa Rice, 3/31, Eugene
2007: 5-4 (#16), W-Alicia Cook, 5/10, Stanford
2006: 9-2 (#8), W-Melissa Rice, 4/9, at Stanford
2006: 9-0 (#6), W-Alicia Cook, 4/28, Eugene
2004: 1-0 (#7), W-Ani Nyhus, 5/14, Eugene
2004: 1-0 (#11), W-Ani Nyhus, 1-0, 4/3/04, Stanford
2003: 3-2, Andrea Vidulund, 4/4, Stanford
2003: 7-0, W-Amy Harris, 5/10/03, Eugene
This week, the Cardinal ranked eighth nationally among teams in fielding (.976), 31st in doubles (1.48 avg. per game), 37th in stolen bases (1.50 p/g) and 61st in batting (.292).
Among its key early season games, Stanford scored top-25 wins over No. 3 Florida (2-0), No. 21 Tennessee (8-7), and lost to No. 32 Northwestern (4-0) and BYU (4-2).
In league play since April, it opened with a 2-1 mark vs. No. 14 California (1-0 and 5-1 wins, 6-0 loss) and at Oregon State (4-3 and 1-0 wins and 10-8) loss. But since then, it has been swept at then-No. 4 Arizona (3-2, 10-2, 5-4), vs. then-No. 6 UCLA (10-0, 7-3, 10-1), and at No. 1 Washington (8-0, 2-1, 1-0 (8)), and went 1-2 vs. then-No. 7 Arizona State (8-0 win, 3-0 and 3-2 losses).
The Stanford roster sports two U.S. National Team members – senior left fielder Alissa Haber and sophomore second baseman Ashley Hansen.
This week, Haber ranked top 50 nationally in batting (.437), and Hansen was sighted on national lists for doubles (34th, 0.32 per game), toughest to strikeout (56th, 1 K per 15.6 at-bats) and sacrifice flies (sixth, 5).
On the national pitching charts, Gerhart still stood top 40 in shutouts (ninth, 11), fewest hits allowed (23rd, 4.41 per 7 innings), wins (30th, 22) and ERA (39th, 1.66).
NATIONAL CRED
Glancing at this week’s national rankings, the Ducks ranked 30th nationally in batting (.306) and slugging (0.476), 34th in home runs (0.98 per game), 43rd nationally in ERA (2.22) and 48th in win-loss percentage (.673).
On the individual front, freshman right fielder Samantha Pappas stood 35th nationally in batting (.407), 58th in RBI (0.94 per game), 68th in slugging (.697) and on-base percentage (.488) and 106th in home runs (11). Fellow frosh outfielder Allie Burger ranked 50th in batting (.400).
Freshman Jessica Moore was equally easy to find on this week’s NCAA pitching stat charts in strikeouts (25th, 9.5 per 7 inning average), ERA (35th, 1.64), total strikeouts (53rd, 214) and fewest hits allowed (115th, 5.89 per 7 innings). The Sutter, Calif., native ranks eighth nationally in saves (4), just ahead of junior teammate Brittany Rumfelt (89th, 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.
RECENT DUCK STARTERS (‘10/’09/Career Starts)
C: Ashley Kivett (38/34/118), Kaitlin Vitek (19/27/52)
1B: Monique Fuiava (48/46/156)
2B: Kaylan Howard (48/-/48)
SS: Kelsey Chambers (49/49/98)
3B: Cortney Kivett (42/50/148), Lindsey Chambers (14/42/56)
RF: Samantha Pappas (49/-/49)
CF: Neena Bryant (47/50/223)
LF: Allie Burger (48/-/48)
DP: Carlyn Re (18/48/115), Kaitlin Vitek (19/27/52), Blair Williamson (22/14/75)
PAC-10 RANKINGS
This week, freshman right fielder Samantha Pappas ranked fourth in the Pac-10 in batting (.407), and top 10 in total bases (seventh, 101), hits (eighth-tie, 59), on-base percentage (eighth, .488), slugging (ninth, .697) and RBI (10th, 46). Among other Ducks spotted, senior center fielder Neena Bryant and freshman sophomore infielder Kelsey Chambers were tied for fourth and sixth in sacrifice bunts (7 / 6), and Bryant was second in sacrifice flies (3), junior first baseman Monique Fuiava was tied for 10th in doubles (10), and freshman Allie Burger stood fourth in triples (3) and seventh in batting (.400).
On the mound, freshman Jessica Moore paced the Pac-10 in saves (4), and ranked top 10 in games finished (fourth-t, 9), strikeouts (fourth, 214), appearances (fifth-tied, 33), ERA (sixth, 1.64), relief appearances (seventh-tied, 9), starts (seventh, 24), innings (eighth, 158), opposing batting average (ninth, .214) and wins (ninth, 14).
Sophomore Samantha Skillingstad was similarly ranked in fewest home runs allowed (fifth-tied, 9), games finished (sixth-t, 8), games in relief (seventh-tied, 9), strikeouts (ninth-t, 113) and opposing batting average (10th, .224), as were junior Brittany Rumfelt (saves, fourth-tied, 2; games in relief, fifth, 13; games finished, sixth-tied, 8) and sophomore Mikayla Endicott (games in relief, first, 18) and games finished (sixth-tied, 8).
As a team, the Ducks led the Pac-10 in saves (6) and strikeouts (431), fifth in batting (.306) and ERA (2.22), and stood top six currently in several other categories:
Hitting
Sacrifice Bunts – 2nd, 37 (leader UCLA 43)
Doubles – 5th, 63 (leader UCLA 76)
Slugging – 5th, .476 (leader Arizona .580)
Total Bases – 6th, 606 (leader Arizona 754)
Home Runs – 5th-t, 48 (leader Arizona 89)
Stolen Bases – 6th, 42 (leader California 120)
Pitching
Strikeouts – 1st-t, 431 (co-leader California 431)
ERA – 5th, 2.22 (Washington 1.59)
Fewest Walks – 5th, 125 (leader Washington, 60)
Fewest Home Runs – 5th, 28 (UCLA, 18)
Opposing Batting Average–6th, .228 (leader Wash., .181)
THIS WEEK’S OPPONENT INFO
No. 15 Stanford Cardinal (33-17, Pac-10 (5-13, 7th)
Game Dates/Times: Thursday (5/13), 7 p.m.; Friday (5/14), 6 p.m., Saturday (5/15), Noon
Location: Stanford, Calif.
TEAM INFO
Head Coach: John Rittman
Career/School Record (Years): 595-275-3 (14th)
Associate Head Coach: Trisha Ford
Assistants: Laura Severson, Missy Penna (Volunteer)
2009 Overall Record: 48-11
2009 Conference Record: 13-8, 4th
2009 Postseason: Super Regional (4-2)
Ret. Letterwinners/Starters/Pitchers: 13/8/1
Series Record: UO leads, (29-28)
2010 Cardinal Statistical Leaders
Alissa Haber, Sr., OF - .437, 44H, 13 2B, 5 HR, 29 RBI,
Shannon Koplitz, Sr., 3B - .348, 48H, 9 2B, 4 HR, 32 RBI
Ashley Hansen, So., 2B - .340, 53H, 16 2B, 3 HR, 31 RBI
Jenna Rich, Fr., SS - .333, 53H, 10 2B, 12 HR, 45 RBI
Rosey Neill, Sr., C - 37H, 10 2B, 3 HR, 25 RBI
Teagan Gerhart , Fr., P– 1.65 ERA, 22-6, 173K, 47BB, 190.1 IP
Ashley Chinn, Jr., P – 2.97 ERA, 8-8, 93K, 47BB, 92 IP
IN THE POLLS
In the most recent national polls released every Tuesday, the Ducks ranked top 25 for the ninth straight week with their 20th and 22nd USA Softball and NFCA rankings, respectively.
In the USA Softball edition, UO stood 19th last week, and earlier in April climbed as high as 16th – its highest ranking since late in the 2007 campaign when it stood 16th in mid-April (and the same season the Ducks climbed as high as 10th nationally). UO’s rankings in each 2010 USA Softball edition follow: 17th (#9), 18th (#11), 19th (#12), 21st (#7, 8), 25th (#5, #6) - and received votes in three other USA Softball polls – the preseason, third (3/2) and fourth (3/8) week editions.
In the USA Today / NFCA poll, Oregon made its fourth appearance and ranked 22nd. In prior weeks, UO stood 20th in the 10th and 11th polls, 23rd in the ninth and 12th polls, and received votes just outside the top 25 the previous four weeks.
Overall, seven Pac-10 teams were tabbed top 20 this week in the USA Softball / NFCA editions - Washington (1/1), Arizona (4/3), UCLA (6/5), Arizona State (10/10), Stanford (17/15) and California (13/12). Six other teams on Oregon’s schedule in ’10 received votes this week – No. 19/20 Texas A&M, No. 25/24 Notre Dame, No. 21/23 Hawai’i, BYU, Oregon State and San Diego State – and Fresno State and Texas Tech received votes in recent weeks.
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.
SIZING UP THE SCHEDULE
The Ducks faced another grueling schedule in 2010 and scheduled 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).
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.
This week, UO’s 2010 schedule ranked 24th and 38th nationally among the 290 programs nationwide in the NCAA and Fully Sports RPI rankings, respectively. Current collegiate softball RPI rankings are available at the http://web1.ncaa.org/app_data/weeklyrpi/2010WSBrpi1.html and http://www.fullysports.com/softball/2010/rpi websites.
For comparison’s sake, UO’s 2009 schedule ranked eighth nationally among the 286 programs nationwide at the end of the regular season.
This season, the Pac-10 schedule featured a new scheduling twist – three-game, same-team weekend sets to ease the travel demands compared to the previous ‘travel pair’ arrangement. With the addition of lights, fans also enjoyed Friday conference home tilts pushed back to 6 p.m., along with several afternoon non-conference doubleheaders that started later than before.
CARDIAC KIDS
With three Pac-10 games left to play, UO has
already notched eight league wins – its most since winning 10 games in
2004 and ’03 – the same seasons head coach Mike White served as an
assistant coach for the Ducks.
Four of those conference wins (and
two others early in the regular season) came via seventh- and/or
extra-inning inning rallies, and short summaries of those games follow.
-
Cal State Northridge (Tempe, 2/14) - 3-2 Win (down 2-1 in top of 8th,
UO scored 2 runs in bottom of 8th on an RBI single by Kaylan Howard and
fielder’s choice by Kelsey Chambers).
- Illinois-Chicago (Las Vegas,
2/21) – 6-5 Win (down 5-4 in 7th, UO scored run to tie 5-5, then scored
run in 9th on Monique Fuiava’s RBI double to win).
- Oregon State
(Corvallis, 4/3) – 6-5 Win (down 7-2 in the fourth, Allie Burger hit
three-run homer in top of 7th).
- #13 California (Eugene, 4/9) – 7-6
Win (down 6-5 in bottom of the seventh, Monique Fuiava hit two-run
double to win)
- #13 California (Eugene, 4/11) – 8-6 Win (down 6-4 in
top of sixth, UO scored twice in sixth to send to extra innings, and
two-run homer by Monique Fuiava won game 8-6 in 9th inning)
- #3
Arizona (Eugene, 5/8) – 2-1 win (11th inning, Neena Bryant hit a two-run
homer)
ON THE CHARTS
On Oregon’s all-time career charts last week, senior Neena Bryant climbed the Duck career list in RBI (second-tie, 141), home runs (third, 35), RBI (third, 141), stolen bases (third, 71), at-bats (8) and games played (10th, 225). Freshman Jessica Moore set a new school season strikeouts record (214), and freshman Samantha Pappas moved up the RBI season list (fourth, 46). A complete list of current Ducks on career, season and game all-time categories follows:
UO CAREER LEADERS
Runs Batted In
2t, Neena Bryant - 141 (1st is 145)
Home Runs
2t, Neena Bryant - 35 (1st is 37)
Doubles
3, Neena Bryant - 37 (2nd is 39, 1st is 41)
Stolen Bases
3t, Neena Bryant - 71 (2nd is 72, 1st is 96)
9,
Cortney Kivett - 48 (8th is 52, 6th-t, is 58, 5th is 60)
Hits
6, Neena Bryant - 208 (5th is 212, 4th is 224)
Runs
8, Neena Bryant - 119 (6th-t is 120, 5th is 130)
At-Bats
8, Neena Bryant - 668 (6th-t is 670, 5th is 686, 4th is 691)
Strikeouts
9, Samantha Skillingstad - 283 (8th is 300, 7th is 316)
Batting Average
10, Neena Bryant - .311 (9th is .324, 8th is .326,
7th is .333)
Games
10, Neena Bryant – 225 (9th is 229, 6th is
230, 5th is 231)
UO SEASON LEADERS
Strikeouts
1, 214 – Jessica Moore, 2010
5, 170 - Samantha Skillingstad, 2009
Stolen Bases
4, 33 - Cortney Kivett, 2008
5, 27 - Neena Bryant, 2009
8, 23 - Neena Bryant, 2008
Doubles
4t, 14 - Neena Bryant, 2007
NR - 10 - Monique Fuiava, 2010 (10th is 12)
Runs Batted In
4t, 46 - Neena Bryant, 2007, ‘08
4t, 46 - Sam Pappas, 2010 (3rd is 47, 2nd is 61)
Extra Base Hits
5t, 25 - Neena Bryant, 2007
- 20 - Sam Pappas, 2010 (9th (tie) is 22, 5th (tie) is 25)
Home Runs
8th-t, 11 – Sam Pappas, 2010 (6th-t is 12, 4th-t is 14)
10,
10 - Neena Bryant, 2007, ‘08
Total Bases
9t, 104 - Neena Bryant, 2007, ‘08
- 101 - Sam Pappas, 2010 (10th is 104, 8th is 106)
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
2t, 4 - Monique Fuiava vs. #13 California, 4/9/10
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
10t, 5 – Allie Burger vs. Oregon State, 4/3/10
Strikeouts
3 - 14 – Jessica Moore vs. Portland State, 5/6/10
4 - 13 – Jessica Moore vs. No. 3 Arizona, 5/7/10
5t - 12 - Jessica Moore, vs. Creighton, 2/12/10
5t, 12- Jessica Moore, vs. Cal Poly, 3/6/10
5t, 12 - Sam Skillingstad, at PSU, 3/23/10
11t, 11 - Jessica Moore, vs. No. 19 Texas A&M, 2/25
11t, 11 - Samantha Skillingstad, vs. N. Dakota, 3/13/10
16t, 10 - Samantha Skillingstad at Stanford, 4/24/09
16t, 10 - Brittany Rumfelt vs. No. 12 Missouri, 2/27/09
16t, 10 - Jessica Moore, vs. Hawai’i, 2/26/10
16t, 10 - Jessica Moore, at PSU, 3/23/10
16t, 10 - Jessica Moore, at Oregon State, 4/1/10
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.
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 266 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, and went yard this season vs. UCLA.
The identical sophomore pair of Kelsey Chambers and Lindsey Chambers have combined for 19 homers (13 / 6) in their young careers, including eight 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 48 homers (for a 0.98 home run per game ratio). Compare that with last year’s total (39) by nine players, which equated to a rate of about 3/4 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 sophomore Kelsey Chambers (8), senior Neena Bryant (7), freshman Kaylan Howard (6), junior Monique Fuiava (4), senior Carlyn Re (3) and junior Brittany Rumfelt and sophomore Lindsey Chambers (2). Ducks with single shots include freshmen Allie Burger and Jessica Moore, juniors Ashley Kivett and Kaitlin Vitek and senior Blair Williamson.
For comparison’s sake, Bryant has 35 career homers (after clubbing 10 in both ’07 and ’08 and 8 in ’09), and ranks second 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).
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.
HOME SWEET HOWE
UO sported a 14-5 mark in the friendly confines of Howe Field after it rattled off a 12-0 streak to start the home slate, and a win at home in at least every series against the ‘Conference of Champions’. That perfect early run included UO’s first-ever sweep of then-No. 13 Cal for in April. The following weekend, UO beat its first top-ranked team, then-No. 1 Washington, 4-0, since 2004 when it topped the returning national player of the year Danielle Lawrie. UO’s other league home victories came vs. then-No. 3 Arizona (2-1) in nine innings when Neena Bryant hit a two-run shot off another of the nation’s top pitchers, Kenzie Fowler. To check on the status of home softball games that day and potential weather conflicts, fans can call (541) 346-6148.
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.
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.
WATCH 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
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 Sam 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 Sam 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 Sam 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 (5/11) – Week #13
ESPN.com/USA Softball Collegiate Top 25
http://nfca.org/top25/index.php?cat_id=1
Rk Team Record Totals Prev
*1. Washington (20) 43-5 500 1
2. Michigan 44-6 477 2
3. Alabama 45-9 457 3
*4. Arizona 42-9 433 4
5. Florida 42-7 424 5
*6. UCLA 38-10 406 6
7. Georgia Tech 46-9 368 7
8. Oklahoma 40-10 350 9
9. Georgia 42-10 340 10
*10. Arizona State 40-13 310 8
11. LSU 42-13 288 11
12. Texas 41-11 281 12
*13. California 38-17 234 T15
14. Missouri 44-10 227 14
15. Tennessee 41-12 202 18
16. Oklahoma State 43-13 195 13
*17. Stanford 33-17 176 T15
18. Illinois 39-6 165 17
*19. Texas A&M 41-13 162 20
**20. Oregon 33-15 122 19
*21. Hawaii 41-12 109 21
22. Ohio State 35-12 87 22
23. UMass 38-7-1 54 24
24. Florida State 41-15 51 23
*25. Notre Dame 44-9 38 25
Others Receiving Votes: DePaul (21), Fordham (12), *BYU (5), *San Diego State (4), Louisville (1) and University of Tennessee-Martin (1)
Dropped Out: None / New to Poll: None
Parenthesis Denotes first place votes.
* Denotes Duck opponents in 2010
USA Today/NFCA Division I Top 25 Poll
http://www.usasoftball.com/folders.asp?uid=3208
Rk Team Record Totals Prev
*1 Washington 43-5 750 1
2 Michigan 44-6 716 2
*3 Arizona 42-9 675 3
4 Alabama 45-9 666 4
5 Florida 38-10 619 5
*5 UCLA 42-7 619 6
7 Georgia Tech 46-9 555 8
8 Missouri 44-10 499 9
9 Georgia 41-10 494 10
*10 Arizona State 40-13 486 7
11 Oklahoma 40-10 430 12
*12 California 38-17 410 13
13 Texas 42-10 376 14
14 Oklahoma State 43-14 371 11
*15 Stanford 33-17 315 15
16 Tennessee 42-12 299 18
17 LSU 42-13 265 16
18 Illinois 39-6 256 17
19 Ohio State 35-12 228 19
*20 Texas A&M 41-13 185 21
21 Massachusetts 38-7-1 159 20
**22 Oregon 33-16 124 22
*23 Hawaii 41-12 93 23
*24 Notre Dame 44-9 77 24
25 Florida State 41-15 34 25
Others Receiving Votes: DePaul 20, Fordham 10, *Oregon State 6, Lipscomb 5, *BYU 2, La.-Lafayette 2, *San Diego State 1, Louisville 1, Nebraska 1, Hofstra 1
Dropped Out: None
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.
* Denotes Duck opponents in 2010
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