Softball Ducks Overpower Mississippi Valley State

Senior right-hander Alicia Cook (8-7) pitched the final 6 1/3 innings, struck out six, walked none and allowed no runs.

Senior Alicia Cook struck out six and allowed only one hit and no runs in her 6 1/3 innings. Photo courtesy: goducks.com

EUGENE, Ore. - The University of Oregon softball team powered by Mississippi Valley State, 6-1, late Friday afternoon to sweep its second straight home doubleheader at Howe Field.

Oregon (21-11) scored three runs in the third, one in the fourth and two more via solo homers in the fifth to raise its record to 4-0 in the Cascade Clash tournament.

Senior right-hander Alicia Cook (8-7) posted UO’s second one-hit performance of the day and pitched the final 6 1/3 innings, struck out six, walked none and allowed no runs. The Elmira, Ore., native’s win - her second in two days - moved her into a tie for fourth all-time for UO (49) with former teammate Amy Harris and Connie McMurren. Her 12 strikeouts the past 24 hours gives her 361 K’s in her career and into fourth all-time past former Duck great Susan Voeller (who had 357).

Junior starter Melissa Rice, a winner in the first game with a one-hit shutout over the same team, pitched the first 2/3 innings of the second game before an hour rain delay. Rice struck out one, gave up three hits and one run.

At the plate, junior centerfielder Neena Bryant and senior shortstop Lovena Chaput hit back-to-back homers to open the bottom half of the fifth inning for UO’s final runs.

Bryant’s roundtripper was the 15th of her career and fifth of the season, tying for the team season lead with senior third baseman Joanna Gail who homered the day before vs. Northern Illinois. Chaput’s fourth dinger of 2008 was the 20th of her career and gave her sole possession of 10th all-time for UO and broke a tie with former teammate Beth Boskovich.

Oregon scored its first runs in the third inning. Senior catcher Amie Morris doubled off the left field wall – her second of the season – and sophomore pinch runner Hannah Barril scored on a single up the middle by freshman second baseman Cortney Kivett. Kivett later stole second base and scored on a single by junior left fielder Sari-Jane Jenkins down the right field line, who subsequently added the third run on a double by Bryant to right field.

For the game, Bryant went 2-for-3 with 2 RBIs thanks to her double and homer. Six others hit safely – Cortney Kivett (1-for-4), Jenkins (1-for-3), Gail (1-for-3) and seniors Lovena Chaput (1-for-3), Kayleen Hudson (1-for-2) and Morris (1-for-3).

Mississippi Valley State (10-14) scored its only run when shortstop Erica Hardin off led the game with a homer to right center field.

The Devilettes’ starter, Maura Moed (1-3), struck out one, walked none and five of her six runs allowed were earned. Nikki Stouder, a junior from Dallas, Ore., pitched the final inning and struck out one and walked two.

The Howe Field faithful braved three rain delays during the day, including a nearly hour-long break in the second game and two 45-minute respites in the opener.

In the day's first game, Kayleen Hudson hit her fourth homer of the season and went 2-for-2 to help UO to a 10-0 five-inning win over the same foe. A link to the first game recap and stats is available by clicking here.

Looking ahead , UO returns for another tournament doubleheader at home Saturday vs Utah State that begins at noon. A link to live stats will be available on the softball schedule page in the media column (right before the game, click the tiny page icon with the #1).

* Note: Fans can call (541) 346-6148 for updates on Duck games that may be rescheduled because of inclimate weather conditions.

Source: goducks.com

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