Pac-10 Softball: Ducks Win Third Straight With 8-2 Victory Over Cal

The Ducks’ 42 victories this year tie for the second most in Oregon history, also accomplished in 2004.

Jenn Saling picked up three RBIs in Friday's win and also hit her 10th double of the year. Photo: goducks.com

BERKELEY, Calif. - Oregon picked up its third straight victory on Friday afternoon, as Neena Bryant, Jenn Salling and Joanna Gail each had multiple RBIs in the Ducks’ 8-2 victory over Cal at Levine-Fricke Field.

Oregon, currently ranked 20th in the nation, improves to 42-16 on the year and 7-13 in the Pac-10 Conference.

The Bears, currently unranked but receiving votes in both national polls, fall to 32-30 overall and 6-14 in the Pac-10.

This is the first time in 2007 that Oregon has strung together three consecutive Pac-10 victories.

The Ducks’ 42 victories this year tie for the second most in Oregon history, also accomplished in 2004.

Oregon’s single season record, 54 victories, was set in 1989.

Oregon has now won its first two meetings with Cal this season, taking the series victory over the Bears for the first time since 2000.

The Ducks have won three season series against Pac-10 competition this year, defeating No. 15 Oregon State 2-1, No. 16 Stanford 2-1, and currently holding a 2-0 lead over the Bears.

During Friday’s game, Oregon took the lead for good after scoring four runs in the top of the fifth, when the top of the lineup; Suzie Barnes, Sari-Jane Jenkins and Salling loaded the bases.

It was Bryant who connected on a single down the right field line, bringing in two runs. The next batter, Gail, also picked up two RBIs, with a double off the wall in left center.

Jenkins finished her day 3-for-5 with two runs scored, while Barnes, Bryant, and Leiter also had two hits apiece.

Junior Alicia Cook (21-3) earned her third straight victory, allowing just two runs on six hits. The Elmira, Ore., native currently has a 1.97 ERA.

Cal’s Marissa Drewery took the loss and falls to 11-7 on the year.

Cal senior Alex Sutton had gave Cal a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the fourth, after knocking a two-run homer over the wall in center field.

Similar to last night’s win against Stanford, Oregon attacked Cal offensively from the start.

Barnes led off the inning with a single and stole second base, her 39th steal of the year. She moved to third on Jenkins’ ground out and scored Oregon’s first run on Salling’s sacrifice fly – the freshman’s 66th RBI of the season.

Salling then picked up her 67th and 68th RBIs of the year with a two-run double off the wall in right center.

The Port Coquitlam, B.C., native was recently named as a top 10 finalist for the USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year.

The Ducks added their eighth run on an Ann Marie Topps’ ground-out RBI.

Gail kept the left side of the field virtually useless for Cal, with six assists during the game.

Barnes also had two stolen bases on the day, improving her season total to 40, and career total to 69. She needs four more steals to break the career record, currently held by Kim Manning.

Barnes broke Oregon’s single season record earlier this year.

Oregon ends its regular season tomorrow at Cal, with the start time set for 11:30 AM.

The Ducks will then head home to Eugene, arriving Saturday evening.

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