Arendsen Wins 200th Duck Game with 2-0 Aggie Blanking

Sunday, March 9

Las Vegas, Nev.

9 a.m.

University of Oregon

17-11

New Mexico State

13-15

NMS

Oregon

Photo by: Eric Evans/GoDucks.com

Arendsen Wins 200th Duck Game with 2-0 Aggie Blanking

03/09/08 | Softball

Box Score

By: GoDucks.com

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

LAS VEGAS ? In the University of Oregon softball team's finale of the UNLV Invitational Sunday, junior Melissa Rice staked her third win of the tournament with a 2-0 decision over New Mexico State at Eller Media Stadium.

The victory also gave sixth-year head coach Kathy Arendsen the 200th win of her Oregon career. Oregon's all-time wins leader now owns a career mark of 200-124 (.617) and an 572-399 overall record in her 18th year as a collegiate coach after prior stops at Mississippi State, Yale, Eastern Illinois and Western Connecticut.

In her second combined shutout of the season, Rice (7-4) gave up only three hits in her six innings, struck out five and walked one. For the tourney, she staked a 0.51 earned run average and allowed only one earned run in her 17 2/3 innings, struck out 17 and walked six in the stretch that included wins over Southern Utah (7-1) Friday and UNLV (10-6) Saturday.

“I was better this week at not putting so much pressure on myself and not worrying about making the perfect pitch,” Rice said. “When I get into tense situations, I responded in a more composed way. “I gained a lot of confidence from how our defense played both today and earlier in the tournament. I have no doubt in the ability of our fielders to make any play. Our run supply was also great, and gave me some extra flexibility.”

For Oregon (17-11), senior third baseman Joanna Gail knocked in the Ducks' first run in the second inning with a double to left center field, after freshman Monique Fuiava led off the inning with a single to left field.

In the fifth inning, junior left fielder Sari-Jane Jenkins came up with an insurance single for the game's final run. Sophomore first baseman Carlyn Re began the inning by poking a single through the left side of the infield on a 2-2 pitch, then advanced to second on a passed ball. Freshman second baseman Cortney Kivett followed with a single over the third baseman's head that advanced Re to third base before Jenkins' single.

After a game-opening single in the first by NMSU center fielder Kandis Jones, Rice retired 17 straight batters before a two-out single in the sixth inning, that was followed by a groundout to end the inning. The Aggies nearly garnered their first extra base hit in the top of the fifth inning when clean-up hitter Hoku Nohara smashed a drive to deep center field, but Duck centerfielder Neena Bryant raced back and caught the ball over her head on the run.

However, in the seventh inning NMSU forced a pitching change when the first two batters got on via a walk and a single to center field. Senior pitcher Alicia Cook came in to notch her fourth save of the season and second of the weekend. The Elmira, Ore., native forced a lineout to senior shortstop Lovena Chaput and a game-ending 5-3 double play to Gail who stepped on third base and fired to first base.

For the game, freshman second baseman Cortney Kivett extended her hit streak to 15 games with her 1-for-3 day and was one of six Ducks that collected hits with Jenkins (1-for-3), Bryant (1-for-3), Fuiava (1-for-3), Gail (1-for-3) and Re (1-for-2).

For the Aggies (13-15), starter Kim Watson (9-9) struck out eight, walked one, allowed six hits and both of her runs allowed were earned.

In the five-game tourney, Cortney Kivett led the Ducks in batting (.526), hits (10) and stolen bases (5), while two others also batted .500 - Bryant (.500, 8-for-16, 4 runs, 1 home run, 5 RBI) and Fuiava (.500, 6-for-12, 1 home run, 2 RBI, 3 walks). Cook posted a 1-1 mark and 2.20 ERA on the mound, and gave up four earned runs, struck out 10 and walked eight in her 16 1/3 innings.

In UO's other games the preceding days, Cook lost to No. 20 Ohio State, 7-0, Friday, and beat Southern Utah, 4-2, Saturday.

“I was really pleased with how our team came together,” Arendsen said. “Our players are playing more relaxed and composed, and our pitchers really stepped up with some great performances. Many of our younger faces are looking more and more comfortable in the field and in their positions in the lineup. We're looking forward to coming home and continuing to play well in front of our wonderful fans the next two weeks.”

Looking ahead, the Ducks return home for 10 games in the Cascade Clash in five doubleheaders between Thursday-Tuesday, March 13-25 vs. Northern Illinois (Thursday, 3/13), Mississippi Valley State (Friday, 3/14), Utah State (Saturday, 3/15), Idaho State (Sunday, 3/23) and UC Davis (Monday, 3/25).

ADDITIONAL PLAYER QUOTES

Melissa Rice
“I gained a lot of confidence from how our defense played both today and earlier in the tournament. I have no doubt in the ability of our fielders to make any play. Our run supply was also great, and gave me some extra flexibility today. Personally, I was better this week at not putting so much pressure on myself. I didn't worry about making the perfect pitch. When I get into tense situations, I responded in a more composed way.”

“Our game last night vs. UNLV was particularly great, especially with how we hit. Defensively, our first game against Southern Utah really set the tone for the tourney, and showed that we have a good defensive team.”

“(Among the highlights) It was good for our team to beat UNLV on their home field. They've beaten several very good teams, so to win 7-1 showed we were ready to play. The wind was terrible, but it's something we can't control. Fortunately it effected their defense more than our's.”

“(Looking ahead to the Cascade Clash) It'll be nice to be at home and it's time for us to show our fans who we really are. The PSU game didn't show our true colors.“

Neena Bryant
“It was our last our travel week for a while, so we wanted to leave it all on the field, especially today. It's always good to get some wins under our belt as we head into the conference season (three weeks away). We were more focused these games and raised our intensity, and kept putting the pressure on them. There was a lot of momentum in the UNLV game for us - the team really clicked and pulled together.”

“It was nice to get some runs early, but I knew we were going to score runs, regardless of when they came. I'm getting more and more comfortable with my batting spot in the line-up. I'm seeing the ball pretty well and am feel really relaxed and letting ball come to me.“

“(Looking ahead) We're in a good position going into these games coming up at home. I'm excited for our fans to come out and see how we actually are capable of playing.”

“No matter how you're hitting, you can always contribute on defense. The winds the last couple days made it a little more challenging, but it effected everyone evenly. On the catch today, I turned and got back as quick as I could. The wind picked it up and caused it to float a little which helped me get to it. Similarly, Jo's double play today was awesome, and so was the one late in the game vs. UNLV.”

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