University of Oregon
29-3
South Dakota State
7-12
Salling and Topps lead Oregon as 14th-ranked Ducks Finish Clash Undefeated
03/18/07 | Softball
EUGENE, Ore. - The 14th-ranked Oregon Ducks completed their sweep of the Cascade Clash this weekend, recording 6-0 and 10-1 victories over
In the team's first weekend at home this season, Oregon finished 6-0 with three consecutive days of doubleheaders, outscoring its opponents 49-1 and ending five of the six games early with the eight-run rule.
In the first game against South Dakota State, Oregon held a 2-0 lead entering the bottom of the fifth, courtesy of shortstop Jennifer Salling's RBI-double in the first and freshman Neena Bryant's solo home run in the fourth.
In the fifth it was again senior second baseman Suzie Barnes causing havoc on the base pads to start the Ducks' three-run inning. The four-year starter singled to left field and stole second before moving to third on Sari-Jane Jenkins's infield hit. Jenkins then added her 21st stolen bag of the year, setting up Salling's two-run triple to the wall in right center for a 4-0 lead.
Salling finished the game 2-for-2 with three RBIs, two walks and one run scored. Barnes was a perfect 3-for-3 with runs and two stolen bases, while Bryant also picked up two hits.
On the mound, sophomore Melissa Rice improved to 14-2, pitching seven innings and allowing just four hits. In three games during the tourney she pitched 19.0 innings, and did not surrender a run. She also struck out 10.
In the second game,
But it was Salling and Topps who put together similar back-to-back innings in the third and fourth innings to lead
With runners on the corners and one out on the scoreboard, Salling hit a bases-clearing triple to the left center wall. It was her fifth triple of the year.
Not to be out done in a race for the RBI lead, Ann Marie Topps put an additional two runs on the scoreboard with a two-run homer that cleared the wall in center field by 30 feet.
The fourth inning was eerily similar with Salling and Topps again providing the theatrics. With Barnes and Jenkins on base, Salling hit a two-run double to pick up her 38th and 39th RBIs of the year. Once again Topps followed Salling at the plate, and hit her 13th homer of the season with a two-run shot over the wall in right center.
Topps finished the game 2-for-4 with four RBIs, while Salling was 3-for-4 with four RBIs. Topps continues to lead the team with 40 RBIs, while Salling trails by just one at 39.
Also finishing with multiple hits was Jenkins and Bryant, who each recorded two.
Junior Alicia Cook won her 16th consecutive decision, allowing one run on three hits to the Jackrabbits. In the tourney, Cook totaled 11 strikeouts.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Cook, Alicia (16-1)
L: Marston (5-2)
Batting:
HR: Kuhl 1
RBI: Kuhl 1
SH: Leon 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Kuhl 1
Batting:
2B: Salling, Jenn 1
3B: Salling, Jenn 1
HR: Topps, Ann Marie 2
RBI: Salling, Jenn 4 ; Topps, Ann Marie 4 ; Gail, Joanna 1 ; Leiter, Kristi 1
SH: Gail, Joanna 1 ; Leiter, Kristi 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Barnes, Suzie 1 ; Jenkins, Sari-Jane 2 ; Salling, Jenn 2 ; Topps, Ann Marie 2 ; Bryant, Neena 2 ; Barril, Hannah 1
SB: Bryant, Neena 1
