Feb. 24, 2008
Box Score
Palm Springs, Calif. - The Pacific softball team dropped their final game at the Palm Springs Classic on Sunday, February 24, falling 10-0 in five innings to Oregon to fall to 2-3 at the tournament. The loss dropped Pacific to 5-9 on the year while the Ducks improved to 9-7.
The Ducks jumped out in front of the Tigers immediately, breaking open the contest in the top of the first inning with six runs on three hits. Oregon was able to do all of its damage in the inning with two outs, rally behind a wild inning from junior Chelsea Engle (Folsom, Calif.) in the circle. Engle got into trouble with three straight walks in the inning to the Ducks' four, five and six hitters that loaded the bases and forced a run in without any of the Oregon hitters taking the bat off of their shoulders.
With the bases still loaded, the Ducks struck for three more runs on a two-RBI double down the rightfield line by Joanna Gail. The Ducks used a throwing error by the Tigers on the play to score their fourth run of the inning. Oregon tacked on two more runs in the inning on an RBI single into centerfield by Ashley Kivett and later on a late break to the plate by Carlyn Re after Kivett forced a throw to second base on a successful stolen base attempt.
With the Tigers' bats held in check by Alicia Cook, the Ducks would add an insurance run in the fourth inning on an unearned run in the inning after the leadoff batter reached on Pacific's second error of the day.
The Ducks would put the game away in the top of the fifth inning, posting the all-important eighth run needed to end the contest early. They would tack on two more additional runs to cushion their lead heading into what would be Pacific's final at bats of the day. Despite throwing well in the inning, the Ducks' had fortune on their side in the inning as the loaded the bases with no outs in the inning without ever hitting the ball out of the infield. After a wild pitch plated the first run of the inning, Ashley Kivett struck again for Oregon, singling up the middle to knock home the final two runs of the game.
Pacific threatened twice in the contest placing runners at second and third in the third inning with two outs, but were unable to break through on the scoreboard after junior Lauren Weyman (Carlsbad, Calif.) was robbed of potential extra bases on a diving catching in the alley of right-center by Kayleen Hudson in right. The Tigers were presented with the chance after senior Mandy Hickman (Phoenix, Ariz.) lead the inning off with a walk and was followed by a single through the leftside by junior Casey Goldsand (Scottsdale, Ariz.). The pair moved into scoring position on a wild pitch but were stranded after three straight outs were retired by Cook.
In the fourth the Tigers put two runners on base to start the inning again, but a line out double play ended the momentum swing as Pacific went down in the inning without scoring.
Engle picked up her fourth loss of the season to drop to 3-4 on the year as she went four innings while giving up 10 runs on six hits while striking out four and walking five. Cook picked up her fourth win of the year for the Ducks, holding the Tigers to just two hits in five innings of work.
Pacific will be back in action on Friday, February 29 as they take on Florida in opening game action at the Worth Invitational in Fullerton, Calif. The game is scheduled to begin at 11:15 am at Cal State Fullerton.
