No. 20 Ohio State Blanks Oregon at Las Vegas Invitational

Oregon freshman Cortney Kivett extended her hit streak to 12 games.

University of Oregon freshman Cortney Kivett hit safely in both games Friday to raise her hit streak to 12 games. Photo courtesy: goducks.com

LAS VEGAS - In a battle between a pair of returning NCAA Regional runners-up, the University of Oregon softball team ended the first day of the Las Vegas Invitational with a 7-0 loss to No. 20 Ohio State, Friday at Eller Media Stadium.

The Buckeyes (12-4) scored single runs in the first, third and fifth innings, then added four more runs in their final at-bat in the bottom of the sixth.

At the plate for the Ducks (14-11), freshman Cortney Kivett extended her hit streak to 12 games, and senior shortstop Lovena Chaput (1-for-3) also hit safely.

Ohio State senior second baseman Brittany Vanderink fuelled the scarlet and gray offense by scoring runs in the first, third and fifth innings, and knocked in its first RBI in the sixth inning.

The Buckeyes scored their first run when Vanderkink led off with a walk, stole second, and scored on a single by shortstop Whitney Cooper. In the third, she reached on an error by the second baseman and advanced to second base as the ball continued into right center field. After she advanced to third on a groundout, she scored on a fielder’s choice to first base. In the fifth inning, she walked to lead-off the inning, and later scored with the bases loaded on a hit batsmen by senior Duck starter Alicia Cook. In the sixth with the bass loaded, she hit a slow bouncer deep in the hole to Chaput who instead came home and threw wide of home plate for the close force at the plate.

Buckeye ace Kim Reeder (6-3), the Big Ten Pitcher of the Week two weeks ago, struck out five and walked three in her third shutout of the season.

Oregon starter Alicia Cook (5-7) struck out three, walked seven and gave up six hits, and only two of her seven runs were earned.

At the plate, Oregon put several baserunners on in several of the opening innings but was unable to capitalize.

In the second, Chaput singled to lead off the inning, but was stranded at second with two outs. Kivett collected her hit in the third inning with two outs, but was caught stealing during the next at-bat. In the fourth, junior left fielder Sari-Jane Jenkins led off with a walk and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by sophomore center fielder Neena Bryant, but the ensuing batters grounded out.

Twenty five games into the season, Kivett owns a team-best .388 batting average and leads the team in hits (33) and stolen bases (tied), and ranks second in on-base percentage (.402) and runs (12).

Earlier in the day, the Ducks beat Southern Utah, 10-6. Junior starter Melissa Rice (5-4) got the win and Cook came in for her third save of the year. Sophomore first baseman / designated player Carlyn Re enjoyed a career best 3-for-3 day at the plate with two RBIs, and three others had multiple hits - freshman second baseman Cortney Kivett (3-for-4, 1 run), sophomore center fielder Neena Bryant (3-for-4, runs, 1 home run, 2 RBI) and freshman designated player Monique Fuiava (2-for-4, 1 run).

Looking ahead to Saturday’s twinbill, the Ducks faced Southern Utah again at 9 a.m., and host UNLV at 1:30 p.m.

Source: goducks.com

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