Pac-10 Softball: 11th Ranked Stanford Deals Oregon First Loss at Home

A three-run bomb kept the Ducks in the game.

Ann Marie Topps hit her 16th home run of the season to tie Oregon's single season record. Photo: goducks.com

EUGENE - No. 11 Stanford was relentless at the plate on Sunday afternoon, hitting five home runs and ending the game in the sixth inning with a 15-4 victory over 13th-ranked Oregon.

The loss was the Ducks (36-4, 2-1 Pac-10) first at Howe Field this season, and also ended the team’s 15-game winning streak.

After being shut out in an 8-0 loss to Oregon on Saturday, the Cardinal had no problems at the plate on Sunday, and in the first inning, loaded the bases with three consecutive singles.

That set up Michelle Smith, who belted the second pitch she saw out of the park.

Stanford maintained that 4-0 lead with starter Missy Pena in the circle, and in the fifth added five more runs to that total in the top of the inning.

It was Penna’s work at the plate that helped build the advantage.

With two outs and two strikes against her, Penna connected on the second grand slam of the day, followed by a solo home run from Rosey Neill.

It looked as if Stanford (26-2, 2-1) was going to end things after five innings with a 9-0 advantage, but the Ducks kept the game live in the bottom of the inning.

Just one out away from the game ending, senior Suzie Barnes produced a double down the left field line, and sophomore Sari-Jane Jenkins was walked to leave runners at the corners for Jenn Salling, the Ducks’ and conference’s RBI leader.

Salling didn’t disappoint, bringing home Barnes with a single to right. Oregon, trailing 9-1, needed one more run to stay in the game, and senior Ann Marie Topps delivered with her 16th home run of the season.

The three-run bomb kept the Ducks in the game, and for Topps tied the single-season home run record set by Andrea Vidlund in 2003.

In the sixth Stanford added six additional runs on six hits and two Duck errors to put the game out of reach.

Penna earned her 18th victory of the year, pitching six innings and surrendering four runs on seven hits and two walks.

Rice (19-3), who with starter Alicia Cook still coming back from illness, had made Oregon’s last six starts, took the loss allowing 15 runs on 16 hits.

Jackie Rinehart was a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate for Stanford, while Alissa Haber was 4-for-4.

Jenkins and Salling recorded multiple hits for the Ducks.

Oregon continues its Pac-10 schedule next week, hosting Oregon State in the Civil War series.

The first game is scheduled for a 3:00 PM start on Friday, at Howe Field. The second game will be a 1:00 PM start at Howe on Saturday.

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