Cook Shutouts South Carolina, 3-0

Saturday, February 16

Las Vegas, Nev.

5:30 p.m.

University of Oregon

4-5

South Carolina

3-7

Oregon

South Carolina

02/16/08 | Softball

Box Score

By: GoDucks.com

* A boxscore and play-by-play are available in the LINKS box to the right.

LAS VEGAS ? Senior Alicia Cook logged an emotional 3-0 shutout over South Carolina Saturday in the evening finale of the Louisville Slugger Classic at Stephanie Lynn Craig Park.

The Ducks, stung by an 11-3 loss to Bradley immediately before, were instantly re-energized by the determination of the Elmira, Ore., native who struck out a season-high eight, walked only one and gave up two hits in her seven innings of work. Better yet, her win raised her record to 2-3 on the season and came against South Carolina, the same team that came back to beat her in last year's NCAA Regional finale in Columbia, S.C.

Oregon's offense also proved opportunistic, scoring a run in the top half of the first inning, then adding two more in the seventh inning to seal the game and raise UO's record to 4-5 on the year.

Cook's shutout was the 17th of her career and ranks her fourth all-time for UO, and Saturday's 43rd career complete game puts her alone at seventh in the Duck history books just ahead of former teammate Amy Harris (42).

The Ducks' first run came after freshman second baseman Cortney Kivett was hit by pitch, stole second then scored on a single to left field by sophomore centerfielder Neena Bryant.

In the seventh, junior left fielder Sari-Jane Jenkins walked, advanced to second on a wild pitch, then scored on another RBI single by Bryant who advanced to second base on an error by the centerfielder who misplayed the ball and allowed it roll five feet behind her. The next batter, senior shortstop Lovena Chaput, smacked a single down the right field line to score Bryant for the game's final run.

Overall in the game, the #3 hitter Bryant ended 3-4 with 2 RBI, while Chaput went 2-4 with an RBI in the clean-up spot. Including Saturday's earlier game vs. Bradley, Bryant and Chaput went 4-6 and 4-7, respectively, and each had two RBI, while Jenkins was 3-6 with two runs scored.

The Gamecocks were on the verge of tying the game in the first inning when after two outs they loaded the bases after a hit batsman and two fielders choice plays, but the inning ended with a groundout to second base.

Afterwards, Cook retired nine straight batters in the second, third and fourth innings, but South Carolina threatened again in the fifth inning. With runners on first and second base and one out, Cook forced a pop fly. The lead runner Whitney Wiezbicki then stole third to give the Gamecocks runners on the corners with two outs, but a ground out to third base ended the inning.

Duck right fielder Kayleen Hudson's defense also played a role in the win as she threw out the leadoff hitter Ashton Payne in the third inning trying to turn a single into a double, and followed with a spectacular running catch in deep right center in the fourth inning to take away a multi-base hit with only one out.

For South Carolina (3-7), starter Melissa Hendon (0-4) logged approximately 138 pitches in her complete game effort and gave up six hits, two earned runs, walked four and struck out eight.

At the plate, the only Gamecocks to hit safely were Payne, 1-4, and outfielder Jessica Josker went 1-2 off the bench.

Looking ahead, the Ducks return for their final game of the UNLV-hosted tournament Sunday at 1:30 pm, and face San Jose State.

Oregon 3, South Carolina 0 (Feb 16, 2008 at Las Vegas, Nev.)
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Oregon.............. 100 000 2 - 3 6 1 (4-5)
South Carolina...... 000 000 0 - 0 2 1 (3-7)
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Pitchers: Oregon - Cook, Alicia. South Carolina - Melissa Hendon.
Win-Cook, Alicia(2-3) Loss-Melissa Hendon(0-4) T-2:07 A-154

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