The No. 6 ranked Ducks softball team improved to 34-6 on the season after defeating No. 17 Arizona, 5-3. This is the first game of a three-game series between the two ball clubs. The Ducks remain on top of the Pac-12 and now boast an 11-2 conference record.
Despite a slow start to the game, the Ducks once again found a way to win all thanks to two key players in Kailee Cuico and Janelle Lindvall. Both recorded two-run homers in the bottom of the sixth and sparked a Ducks’ run resulting in an impressive comeback win over a good ball club.
In the top of the fifth inning, designated player Kelsey Rodriguez of Arizona changed the pace of the game after she recorded a crucial RBI double, giving her team a 3-1 lead. Aside from the her hit, it was the Duck’s error, however, that resulted in the second run, and at this point, they were in dire need of some offense after going scoreless for two innings heading into the top of the sixth.
After pitcher Jessica Moore took care of business in the top of the sixth inning, the Ducks came out with some much needed offense. Second basewoman Kaylan Howard led off for the Ducks with a double and following her was Cuico who gave the Ducks their first lead with a two-run homer.
“I didn’t know until I saw it go over,” Cuico said after the game. “I needed to pick myself up and my teammates. We’re a special group this year, and everyone wants it — and it helps a lot to have all nine players out there and the dugout. We want it more than the other team, and that’s how we play when it comes down to those moments.”
The Ducks fed off this new found momentum as Lindvall blasted another two-run homerun of her own to left field. Pitcher Cheridan Hawkins came in the seventh inning and finished things off, allowing no more runs and leaving two Arizona base runners on second and third.
“We didn’t really play well for the first five minuets,” said Oregon head coach Mike White. “We just couldn’t get the job done early on, but then later in the game, it switched a little bit, and we came out with a little more determination to get on base along with a couple big home runs.”
Turning point: After going cold on offense through the first five innings, the Ducks came out in the sixth with their usual late game heroics as they once again found a way to win. This late game run wouldn’t have been possible without the two-run HRs from Cuico and Lindvall, who outright won the game for the team.
On the horizon: The Ducks will return to the field Saturday afternoon as they are set to continue to the three-game series with the No. 17 Wildcats. The game is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m.