St. Mary’s Snaps Oregon`s 18-Game Winning Streak

Oregon claimed a 1-0 eight-inning decision earlier Friday vs. Kent State.

Kathy Arendsen piloted Oregon to its longest winning streak ever - five more than its 13-game streak in '04. Photo: goducks.com

HONOLULU - The No. 17-ranked University of Oregon softball team’s 18-game win streak came to an end after a dramatic extra-inning 2-1 loss to St. Mary’s Friday afternoon in the Pepsi Malihini Kipa Aloha Invitational at Wahine Stadium on the University of Hawaii-Manoa campus.

In the bottom of the ninth inning, St. Mary’s catcher Jenna Smith drove a double deep to left center field with two outs that scored runners from second and third base.

Oregon (18-2) had taken a 1-0 lead in the top half of the inning when senior designated player Ann Marie Topps scored on a sacrifice fly to left field by junior third baseman Joanna Gail.

“We knew we would eventually lose a game, and St. Mary’s came up with a big hit when they needed it,” Oregon head coach Kathy Arendsen said.

“We had some opportunities of our own, but couldn’t quite convert. I was proud how players played and hung in there in some tight situations We need to pick our heads up and come back tomorrow with the right attitude and be hungry to start a new streak.”

The Ducks were without starting freshman shortstop Jen Salling who didn’t play because of a stomach virus that appeared early Friday morning.

Junior left fielder Lovena Chaput moved to shortstop and smoothly handled several challenging plays up the middle, and her outfield replacement, freshman Blair Williamson, went 2-4 at the plate.

Topps also stroked two singles early and went 2-4, and Gail ended 1-2 at the plate with a walk.

Oregon stranded 10 runners, including runners in scoring position with less than two outs in the second, third and fifth innings.

St. Mary’s left eight runners of its own on base, and looked ready to end the game in the eighth inning with a runner on third base with only one out.

Rice intentionally walked the bases loaded, then forced outfielder Lauren Mello into a double play on a chopper back to the mound that she threw for a force at home, followed by a quick throw by catcher Courtney Shlee to first base.

Duck sophomore starting pitcher Melissa Rice suffered her first loss of the year (8-1) and allowed one earned run, walked five and struck out five.

The Gaels (6-6) starting pitcher, Lauren Gardner improved to 3-3 on the season and gave up seven hits and one walk, and struck out one in the complete game effort.

UO’s extra inning affair was its second of the day and season after it claimed a 1-0 eight-inning decision earlier Friday vs. Kent State.

With its 3-1 record Thu.-Fri., Oregon returns as the tourney’s top seed Saturday morning and will play at 4:00 PM (HT) / 6:00 PM (PT) Saturday against the fifth seed.

The remaining team draws will be determined after three more games Friday afternoon between Georgia and Kent Sate, and a pair of Hawaii games vs. St. Mary’s and Georgia.

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