Ducks Top Spartans 4-3 in Extra Innings

Sunday, February 17

Las Vegas, Nev.

1:30 p.m.

University of Oregon

5-5

San Jose State

5-6

Oregon

San Jose State

02/17/08 | Softball

Box Score

By: GoDucks.com

* A box and play-by-play is located in the LINKS box to the right.

LAS VEGAS ? The University of Oregon softball team celebrated a 4-3 comeback win in eight innings Sunday to cap the Louisville Slugger Classic tournament finale, hosted by UNLV at Stephanie Lynn Craig Park.

The Ducks (5-5) drew even 2-2 in the sixth inning when sophomore centerfielder Neena Bryant hit a solo home run - her second four-bagger of the season - over the right center wall.

Two innings later in the top of the eighth, junior left fielder Sari-Jane Jenkins added the game-winner when she delivered a single to score freshman pinch runner Ashley Kivett from third base. Jenkins stole second and scored UO's final run two batters later when Bryant doubled to left field.

San Jose State scored a run in the bottom of the eighth when the runner placed on second scored on an error by shortstop Lovena Chaput, but Rice then forced a popout to shortstop, and a comeback grounder up the middle that she tipped to Chaput who threw to first base for the final out.

UO got out to a 1-0 lead in the second inning on a towering homer by Chaput over the right center field wall - her second of the tourney and season to lead off.

San Jose State responded with two runs in the fourth inning. The Spartans' Kelly Fangonilo singled to left field, and the next batter hit a come-backer to senior starter Alicia Cook who whirled to throw to Chaput at second base for a double play but her throw went behind her into center field. Designated hitter Sarah Smith then lined a grounder up the middle that was knocked down by diving second baseman Cortney Kivett, but the ball still deflected into center field and Fangonilo came in to score. The lead runner Brittany McConnell advanced to third on a fielder's choice, then scored on a hard hit grounder to UO right fielder Kayleen Hudson who threw the hitter, Natasha Hawkins, out at first for the second out. The next hitter lined out to Gail to end the inning.

Oregon almost retook the lead in the seventh on a rally started by freshman designated player Monique Fuiava who battled from an 0-2 deficit to run the count full, then socked a hit to right field. Junior pinch runner Shelley Deadmond stole second base and advanced to third on a groundout to shortstop by Hudson ? the first out of the inning. However, Gail popped out to second base and freshman pinch hitter Katilin Vitek grounded out to third base to end the inning.

SJSU also challenged for the lead in the bottom of the seventh after right fielder Ashley Wagner bounced a single through the right side. After a Melissa Rice strikeout, Elizabeth Perez beat out a high chopper to shortstop to leave runners on first and second with two outs, but Rice ended the inning with a groundout to second base.

In the bottom of the sixth inning, SJSU also tried to retake the lead when its opening hitter singled to right field, but Rice forced UO's first double play of the year (6-4-3) on a grounder to shortstop, then struck out the inning's final batter.

Overall, Rice notched her first win (1-2) and pitched the final four innings and gave up four hits and no earned runs and struck out three and walked one. Cook pitched the first four innings and gave up four hits, walked none and struck out none, and both of SJSU's runs were unearned.

San Jose State starting pitcher Roxanne Berjarano pitched the complete game and gave up seven hits, three earned runs and struck out 12. The Spartans' leading hitters were left fielder Elizabeth Perez (2-4) and designated hitter Sarah Smith (2-4, 2 RBI).

For the five-game weekend tournament, Bryant hit .500 and went 8-16 at the plate with a home run and 5 RBI, while two others hit over .400 in the five games ? Jenkins (.500, 8-16, 2 doubles, 5 runs, 3 RBI, 2 walks, 5 stolen bases) and Chaput (.467, 7-15, 1 double, 2 home runs, 7 RBI).

On the mound, all three Duck pitchers notched wins - Cook (1-1, 1.17 ERA, 15 strikeouts, 1 walk), Rice (1-1, 4.91 ERA, 6 strikeouts, 5 walks) and freshman Brittany Rumfelt (1-0, 3.18 ERA, 5 strikeouts, 2 walks).

In days prior, the Ducks went 2-2 Friday and Saturday with wins over South Carolina (3-0) and Northwestern State (13-2), and losses to Bradley (11-3) and Kansas (6-1).

San Jose State came into the game with a 5-5 record on the year with earlier wins vs. Bakersfield, Sacramento State, California, Seton Hall and BYU.

Looking ahead, the Ducks return to Palm Springs, the site of last weekend's season opener, for the Palm Springs Classic next weekend. UO will take on four returning NCAA veterans from ?07, including top-10 ranked Baylor and Northwestern, along with Oklahoma and Long Island. The Ducks open against Baylor, Thursday, February 21 at 8 p.m., then face Long Island and Northwestern on Friday, February 22 at 1 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., Michigan State and Oklahoma on Saturday, February 23 at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., respectively, and Pacific on Sunday, February 24 at 1 p.m.

COACH / PLAYER QUOTES

Kathy Arendsen
“This was a big weekend for us. We won some tight games which give us some important experience, especially for the younger players. The last two days, we got some big wins against an NCAA Super Regional team in South Carolina and San Jose State which had beat some good teams this week in Cal and BYU and saved some of their best players for our game. Our pitchers continue to get stronger, and I liked how we had players all around the field stepped up and made critical plays on offense and defense. Our team really came together this weekend and rallied around each other and gained a lot of confidence.”

Neena Bryant
“I went up just trying to see the ball and make contact, and not press. The home pitch was high and outside ? not something I was expecting. On the double, since Sari-Jane had already scored there wasn't any pressure on me at the plate. I felt really relaxed.”

“(At the plate) I feel a little more disciplined than was last year. Being on the US team last year helped me to gain some confidence and feel more mature.

“Last weekend, everyone was kind of feeling each other out. I was really proud during the South Carolina game how we came together to win - that was the moment when we really started to figure it out.”

Melissa Rice
“Our defense really lifted my confidence because I was a little nervous coming, and they kept reminding that they were behind me. My location today was pretty decent, I tried to keep the ball down and hitting the spots because they were an aggressive team. I focused on one pitch at a time and trying to force groundouts. (One of my bigger pitches was) When I came in after that first batter, I had an inside drop and forced a grounder on the second batter and they fielder fielded it. This weekend helped me give me confidence, and also the team. Coming into the season had been a fairly long layoff, so to help me regain my focus I tried to control only what I could control, focusing on hitting the (catcher's) glove.”

Alicia Cook
“(The South Carolina game was important to our team and to me I pitched a lot against them last year (in the NCAA Regional). It was an emotional game for all the returnees, and that helped our team really pull together. We did everything well in that game - our defense played well, including ?Hud' who made a great play ? we hit well, and pitched well. I like pitching those big games because it helps me to focus even more, especially because it was close. I think the team also responded well in these last two games and that showed our potential. Being a senior I realize that everything counts ? these are the games that get us into regionals and every game is important. “

“Sunday wasn't on my greatest game, and my arm was little fatigued so it was great to have Mel come in and finish the job and get the win ? she did great.”