University of Oregon
25-12, 0-1
UCLA
30-3, 2-0
No. 1 UCLA Edges Oregon, 2-0
03/29/08 | Softball
LOS ANGELES ? University of Oregon junior Melissa Rice gave up only two hits and one earned run in UO's Pac-10 Conference softball opener Saturday, a 2-0 loss at No. 1 UCLA.
The Bruins (30-3, 2-0) scored two runs in the bottom of the first inning, before Rice ended the inning with an unassisted grounder to first base - the first of 14 straight batters she retired on ground balls.
In the sixth inning, the streak was ended with her walk with one out. She responded by getting the next batter to fly out to third, and freshman second baseman Cortney Kivett added a sensational fielder's choice force-out at second base to end the inning.
For Oregon (25-12, 0-1), its best chance to score came in the top of the sixth inning when it loaded the bases with two outs but came up empty.
Freshman Ashley Kivett led off with a single to shallow left field. Junior Sari-Jane Jenkins followed two batters later with a slapped single in and to the left of the second baseman. Senior Lovena Chaput was later hit by a 1-2 pitch to load the bases, but freshman Monique Fuiava struck out on a low, inside 1-2 pitch on a failed check swing.
The Ducks also threatened to score in the fourth inning when leadoff hitter Cortney Kivett flared a single to the same spot as her sister's hit two innings later into shallow left field. After a stolen base, she was thrown out on a close play at third base on a fielder's choice slapper by Jenkins to the shortstop, and the next two batters struck out and flied out.
Rice (11-5) struck out one, walked two, and gave up two hits ? both in the first inning. The loss ended a streak of nine straight wins and was her first loss since a 4-1 defeat at then-No. 20 San Diego State, February 29.
UCLA's freshman starter Donna Kerr (12-1) gave up three hits, struck out nine, hit one batter and walked one in her six innings. Sophomore Megan Langenfeld pitched a scoreless seventh inning ? her 22nd straight of the season ? for her third save.
Freshman Kaitlin Vitek, a native of nearby Valencia, Calif., looped a pinch hit single up the middle for UO's fourth hit of the game with two outs in the seventh inning. Other Ducks that hit safely included Cortney Kivett (1-for-3), Ashley Kivett (1-for-3) and Sari-Jane Jenkins (1-for-3).
The 11-game hitting streak for Oregon sophomore Neena Byant came to an end as did senior Joanna Gail's nine-game streak ? both season highs.
UCLA's only hitters to hit safely were Amanda Kamekona (1-for-3, 1 run) and GiOnna DiSalvatore (1-for-3, 1 RBI). After an opening strikeout in the first inning, Amanda Kamekona doubled off the bottom of the centerfield wall and advanced to third on a passed ball. The next batter, Krisa Colburn got on via walk, stole second and scored on a fielder's choice.
Looking ahead, the Ducks return to Easton Stadium in Westwood for a noon encounter Sunday - the second and final game of the road trip. UO's original Pac-10 opener at Washington Friday was cancelled due to snow and rain.
LINESCORE
UCLA 2, Oregon 0 (Mar 29, 2008 at Los Angeles, Calif.)
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Oregon.............. 000 000 0 - 0 4 1 (25-12, 0-1 Pac-10)
UCLA................ 200 000 0 - 2 2 0 (30-3, 2-0 Pac-10)
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Pitchers: Oregon - Rice, Melissa. UCLA - Kerr, Donna; Langenfeld, Megan(7).
Win-Kerr, Donna(12-1) Loss-Rice, Melissa(11-5) T-148 A-773
Weather: 60, partly sunny, wind 0-3 mph
- www.GoDucks.com -
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Kerr (12-1)
L: Rice, Melissa (11-5)
Base Running:
SB: Kivett, Cortney 1 ; Jenkins, Sari-Jane 1
HBP: Chaput, Lovena 1 ; Hudson, Kayleen 1
Batting:
2B: Kamekona 1
RBI: DiSalvatore 1 ; Langenfeld 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Kamekona 1 ; Colburn 1
SB: Colburn 1
