Oregon and UCLA squared off in round 3 on Sunday after splitting each of the first two games. It was a game that featured each team’s best pitcher: UCLA’s Rachel Garcia and Oregon’s Megan Kleist. Rachel Garcia came into this matchup with a 10-0 record and Megan Kleist has two no hitters on the season. Both pitchers lived up to the hype in this one as neither team could score until the very end. It took Oregon four innings to tally their first hit of the game. UCLA had chances to score in several innings, but Oregon’s defense was superb throughout. In the sixth inning, the bats started to wake up for both teams. UCLA hit two straight singles to get runners on first and second base with no outs. Then, Aaliyah Jordan tried a sacrifice bunt that Oregon was able to shut down at first base. On the same play, UCLA’s Briana Perez tried going home and Oregon’s Mia Camuso threw her out to earn a double play and avoid the run. In the bottom of the sixth, Oregon got two runners on but was then shut down by Rachel Garcia. That led us to the seventh, where UCLA was able to get two runners on but Megan Kleist delivered a clutch strikeout to end the inning. So still scoreless heading into the bottom of the seventh, it was Oregon’s turn to try to win the game. Oregon’s Mary Iakopo was hit by a pitch, followed by a single and a sacrifice bunt. With one out and two batters on, Shannon Rhodes stepped up to the plate and on the 0-2 pitch, nailed a home run to center field to end this game in miraculous fashion as Oregon earned the win, 3-0.

Game Story (by Sean MacPherson)

Postgame Interviews 

Head Coach Mike White

Sophomore Shannon Rhodes

Postgame in the Press Box with Junior, Megan Kleist

-Sean MacPherson