Ducks Blank Loyola Chicago for 15th Win in a Row

Sunday, March 2

Eugene, OR

1:00 PM

University of Oregon

20-1

Loyola Chicago

3-15

Loyola Chicago

Oregon

Photo by: Kallie Hansel-Tennes/GoDucks.com

03/02/25 | Softball

Box Score Oregon-Loyola Chicago Box Score Photo Gallery

EUGENE, Ore. – Taylour Spencer retired 12 of the last 13 batters she faced and No. 14 Oregon's offense came to life with six runs in the fifth inning as the Ducks defeated Loyola Chicago, 9-1, Sunday in front of 1,603 at Jane Sanders Stadium.

Oregon (20-1) won all five games at the Oregon Classic and will bring a 15-game winning streak into Friday's showdown with No. 9 Florida State at The Jane.

Spencer held the Ramblers to one hit – a solo home run in the second inning. A one-out walk in the top of the fifth was the only other blemish in a command performance by Spencer, who struck out three and improved to 3-1 on the season. She retired the side in order in the second, third and fourth innings.

"I think I was frustrated (after giving up the home run," said Spencer. "But after that pitch, I said, next time she comes down, I'm gonna strike her out, and I did."

Oregon's winning streak is its longest since winning 15 in a row in 2021; a feat even more impressive due to the absence of head coach Melyssa Lombardi, who was away from the team for the weekend attending to a personal matter.

"I am proud of our team," said associate head coach Sam Marder. "I think we faced a little aversity this weekend down our head coach.

"Our biggest thing is we wanted to make sure she knew we had her back and like I said our first night, we're the best when she is here but it's a testament to her that we can go be successful when she is not here," said Marder. "I am proud of how our team took that on, our pitching staff took a lot of strain on this weekend and I am proud of how they led."

For the five-game tournament, Oregon's pitching staff had a 0.90 earned run average, gave up just four earned runs and struck out 36. The staff held the opposition to a .138 batting average.

How It Happened: Both offenses struggled early on. Ali Pawlowicz homered off Spencer in the second inning to give the Ramblers a 1-0 lead that held until the fourth inning.

Oregon scored three runs on a throwing error in the bottom of the fourth. Stefini Ma'ake singled. Paige Sinicki, who started her 150^th consecutive game at shortstop on Sunday, was hit by a pitch. Kedre Luschar then dropped down a bunt base hit to load the bases.

Katie Flannery hit a grounder to third, but the throw sailed high at first and two runs scored as the ball went down the right field line. As the Ramblers threw the ball back into the infield, Luschar, who initially took third on the play, stole home after Loyola Chicago's defense lost track of her and the Ducks led 3-0.

"We kept chipping away," said Marder. "It was the third time through our lineup so we made some adjustments and I think we did a good job of communicating."

Oregon closed out the game with a six-run fifth inning.

Dezianna Patmon opened the frame with a home run down the left field line that just stayed fair. It was her sixth home run of the season and third of the weekend.

One out later, Ma'ake singled into left field and Sinicki reached on another bunt base hit. Luschar then drove a 1-0 pitch out of the park to left center to push the Ducks' lead to 7-1.

The rally continued with Flannery being hit by a pitch before Kaylynn Jones singled and the Ducks had runners at first and second for Braiesey Rosa. She came through with her first career hit – a double into the left field corner – that scored the runner from second. Jones moved around to third on the play.

"I am happy for her," said Marder of Rosa. "She is such a great woman and wants to do well so badly. It's amazing for her and I hope this spark continues. Sometimes you just need one breakthrough."

Kai Luschar ended it with her third hit of the day, a single into left field that scored Jones for the run-rule victory.

Notable: The Ducks' 20-1 start is the program's best since going 24-1 to open the 2021 season … With three steals on Saturday, Oregon retook the NCAA lead in stolen bases. The Ducks now have 81 steals on the season, two better than USC Upstate (79) … With one stolen base Sunday, Kai Luschar moved a tie for fourth in UO career steals with 71. She equaled the career totals of Neena Bryant (2007-10) and Suzie Barnes (2004-07). She is one stolen base behind Kim Manning (72/1989-92) for third … Her sister, Kedre Luschar, hit .714 for the tournament (10-of-14) with three doubles, a home run and seven RBI. She also stole four bases … Sinicki also had a nice tournament, hitting .667 (8-of-12) with four stolen bases.

Quotable:
Freshman Stefini Ma'ake on her first home games at The Jane
"For my first game I was nervous, I looked at the crowd and thought oh my goodness this is a huge crowd. Some parents came up to me and told me they had never seen a fan base this big at the Jane.

Pitcher Taylour Spencer
"For me I think coming into this weekend, I told myself that when I'm working ahead, I'm pretty successful. So I said, I'm just gonna go after everyone."

Up Next: Oregon stays at home to host the Jane Sanders Classic. The tournament begins Friday with the first of two matchups against No. 9 Florida State (6 p.m., B1G+). The Ducks will then play Oregon State on Saturday (3:30 p.m.). Oregon will play twice next Sunday – Florida State (2:30 p.m.) and Abilene Christian (5 p.m.). The Jane Sanders Classic concludes with a single game March 10 versus Abilene Christian (10:30 a.m.).

"We have a big weekend coming up," said Marder. "I'm excited that you guys saw some other people step up this weekend.

"Moving forward we are going to need a complete team. It was nice to see some other people carry the load this weekend and I think that will take us into this upcoming weekend."

- www.GoDucks.com -