NCAA Softball: Oregon Opens Cascade Clash with Pair of Victories

Oregon next hosts Towson in the Cascade Clash on Saturday with first pitch for the doubleheader scheduled at 1:00 PM.

Third baseman Joanna Gail recorded three hits and three RBIs in the first day of the Cascade Clash. Photo: goducks.com

EUGENE - The 14th-ranked Oregon softball team made quick work of Utah State in the Ducks' home opener on Friday at Howe Field. Oregon won both games of the doubleheader by 8-0 scores, enforcing the eight-run rule.

The Ducks, playing three consecutive doubleheaders this weekend as part of the Cascade Clash, improve to 26-3 on the year.

Oregon recorded a combined seven stolen bases, and freshman outfielder Neena Bryant hit her fourth home run of the season in the second contest.

In the first game on Friday, Oregon took a 3-0 lead over Utah State in the fourth, led by first baseman Kristie Leiter.

The senior's RBI double to left center scored Bryant early in the fourth, while the Ducks did the rest of their damage with two outs on the scoreboard.

Joanna Gail brought home Leiter from third with a single, while second baseman Suzie Barnes was responsible for the last run of the inning with an RBI double to center field.

In the fifth Oregon added three more runs with RBIs coming from senior Ann Marie Topps, Bryant and Gail.

With the Ducks' offense finding its gear in the later innings, sophomore Melissa Rice allowed just two hits her entire six innings on the mound, improving to 12-2 on the year.

In Friday's second game, another outstanding pitching performance by junior Alicia Cook (14-1) aided Oregon in its 8-0 victory over Utah State.

The right-hander recorded her 14th consecutive decision, improving her ERA to 0.82 and allowing just one hit in five innings of work.

Barnes finished the second game with a 3-for-3 performance and two runs scored, while Bryant also added multiple hits going 2-for-2 with three RBIs and two runs scored.

In the latter game, Oregon wasted little time getting on the scoreboard, putting up three runs in the bottom of the first.

Freshman Jennifer Salling's third double of the season scored Sari-Jane Jenkins, before Bryant hit a deep shot over the center field wall for a two-run blast.

In the third, Salling's bunt allowed Barnes to score from third, while Bryant again came through with an RBI double to center field after Topps was walked.

The Ducks added two more runs in the third when Leiter dropped a triple past Utah State leftfielder Amanda Grow and Gail later singled to plate Leiter.

Oregon next hosts Towson in the Cascade Clash on Saturday with first pitch for the doubleheader scheduled at 1:00 PM. The second game will start approximately 20 minutes after the end of the first.

The Ducks close the tournament on Sunday, hosting South Dakota State in a doubleheader. Start for the first game is set for 11:00 AM.

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