Oregon Powers Past Georgia, 5-0

With the win Oregon raised its record to 16-1.

Senior Ann Marie Topps hit her eighth homer of the season, and is only two away from ranking top-10 in UO single season history. Photo: goducks.com

HONOLULU - The No. 17-ranked University of Oregon softball team utilized a pair of early home runs Thursday afternoon against No. 23-ranked Georgia, then rode the arm of junior right-hander Alicia Cook to beat the Bulldogs, 5-0, in the first game of the Pepsi Malihini Kipa Aloha Invitational at Wahine Stadium on the University of Hawaii-Manoa campus.

Taking advantage of a 10-mph breeze over the left field wall, senior designated player Ann Marie Topps powered her eighth home run of the season over the 200-foot fence in the second inning to give UO a 1-0 lead.

The Ducks added two more runs in the third and fourth innings to hike their lead to 5-0 – the eventual final score.

In the third inning, sophomore centerfield Sari-Jane Jenkins singled on a chopper to the left of the pitcher, followed by a successful bunt single to the left of home plate by shortstop Jennifer Salling.

Jenkins scored soon after on a passed ball to the following batter, freshman Neena Bryant, who then added a single to left that scored Salling.

The next inning, senior second baseman Suzi Barnes walked to open the inning, and later scored on a home run to dead center by Bryant – the first of her career.

On the mound, Cook pitched as nearly flawless as the conditions on the sunny, 80-degree afternoon and raised her record to 9-1 and allowed only two hits in her fifth shutout of the season.

Georgia left four players on base during the game, and threes were in scoring position early in game in the first, second and fourth innings.

In the bottom of the first inning, Sojourner Moody walked with one out then stole second base, and advanced to third on a groundout to the first baseman. The next hitter, cleanup hitter Megan McAllister lined out to second baseman.

In the bottom half of the second, the Bulldogs’ Melissa Wood opened with a double to center and advanced to third with one out after a groundout to the shortstop, but Cook forced two more infield groundouts.

In the fourth inning opening batter Kellie Middleton took first on a hit by pitch, and stole second with one out. However, the Dawgs followed with a ground out and fly out to end the inning.

“Like before this season, it was a total team effort and a great way to start the series against a very good team,” Oregon softball head coach Kathy Arendsen said. “I liked how we came out ready to play and executed well, all around the field.”

Oregon raised its record to 16-1, while Georgia fell to 12-7 on the season. Entering the game, the Ducks were tabbed 22nd in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) poll and Georgia was tabbed No. 21.

The other rankings mentioned in the headline were from the most recent ESPN / USA Softball poll.

Looking ahead, the Ducks return to face host Hawaii after a two-hour break in their second and final game Thursday afternoon, tentatively scheduled to start at 4:30 PM.

Live stats are available at the www.HawaiiAthletics.com website via the school’s softball main page.

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