Ducks Fall to Arizona, 8-1

Saturday, April 9

Tucson, Ariz.

6 p.m.

University of Oregon

Arizona

Photo by: GoDucks.com

04/09/05 | Softball

By: GoDucks.com

TUCSON, Ariz. ? Pinch hitter Jennifer Martinez hit a grand slam in the bottom of the sixth to help No.2 Arizona blow open a close game and the Wildcats defeated Oregon 8-1 Saturday at Hillenbrand Stadium.

A second inning error by Duck third baseman T.J. Eadus set up two unearned runs for Arizona (29-4, 4-2). With one out, designated player Candice Abrams smacked a single over second base. She went to second on first baseman Crystal Farley's ground out. Right fielder Adrienne Action then tried for a bunt base hit, which Eadus fielded cleanly, but her throw to first glanced off Action and went up the right field line, allowing Abrams to score.

The Wildcats tacked on a second unearned run in the frame when Duck pitcher Amy Harris walked center fielder Caitlin Lowe, yielded an infield single to left fielder Autumn Champion to load the bases, and then walked shortstop Kristie Fox to force in a run.

“Our defense let us down a little tonight, but Arizona is a team that will put pressure on your defense because of their speed,” said Oregon coach Kathy Arendsen. “But I thought our hitters made some key adjustments and did a good job being aggressive, especially the second time through the lineup.”

Oregon got back in the game in the fourth inning when Lovena Chaput was hit by an Alicia Hollowell pitch leading off. Center fielder Suzie Barnes sacrificed Chaput to second and first baseman Beth Boskovich followed that by lining a double up the middle to plate Chaput for her team-leading 15th RBI of the season.

The Ducks (23-12, 3-3) threatened again by loading the bases in the top of the fifth, but could not score. With one out, right fielder Dani Baird doubled down the left field line, and second baseman Erin Goodell reached on a blooper that died in front of second base before anyone could catch it, though Baird had to hold on the play. Shortstop Breanne Sabol then lined a sharp single to left to load the bases.

But Hollowell (21-3) struck out Chaput looking and got Barnes to foul out to third to end the inning.

In the bottom of the fifth, the Wildcats took advantage of a pair of two-out walks by Harris (12-6), when catcher Callista Balko doubled to right off reliever Alicia Cook to chase both runners home.

Arizona put the game away in the sixth with consecutive singles by Farley, Action and Lowe ? the latter two hits barely going past the pitcher's mound ? before Martinez' grand slam that sailed over the fence in right center. It was Martinez' first home run of the season.

Baird went two-for-three to lead a five-hit Oregon attack.

The same two teams play again Sunday at 1 p.m.

Box Score

Arizona 8, Oregon 1

Oregon ? 000 100 0 ? 1 5 3

Arizona ? 020 024 x ? 8 8 0

Harris, Cook (5) and Richards; Hollowell and Balko

Win: Hollowell (21-3); Loss: Harris (12-6)

2B ? Boskovich (5), Baird (3); Balko (6)

HR ? Martinez (1)

RBI ? Boskovich (15); Martinez 4 (14), Balko 2 (16), Fox (45)