In the series finale of #3 Oregon and #2 UCLA, the Bruins proved to be too much to handle for the Ducks. Oregon got off to a good start both offensively and defensively in this one, with solo HRs from Allee Bunker and Haley Cruse in the first few innings to go up 2-0. Brooke Yanez held UCLA without a hit for the first four innings, but then the bats woke up for the Bruins. Kinsley Washington drove in a run for the Bruins in the fifth to make it 2-1. Then in the sixth, Rachel Garcia hit a two-run shot to left field to claim the lead at 3-2. Oregon had a chance to tie or lead in the bottom of the sixth inning when the first two runners were walked, but Rachel Garcia managed to retire three straight to keep the game at 3-2. Then in the top of the 7th, Briana Perez struck a 3 run HR to stretch the lead to 6-2 and pull Brooke Yanez out of the game. In 6.2 innings, Yanez allowed 5 hits and threw 8 K’s. Oregon’s offense stalled when Rachel Garcia entered the game in the third inning, allowing just one hit and throwing 7 K’s. As a team, Oregon had four hits including the two solo HRs that accounted for both runs scored today.

With the loss, Oregon moves to 27-5 and 6-3 in the Pac-12 conference. The schedule doesn’t get much easier for #3 Oregon following this weekend, as the Ducks will travel to Seattle to take on the #6 Washington Huskies next weekend beginning on Friday, April 16th.

Game Story (by Sean MacPherson)

Postgame Audio

Head Coach Melyssa Lombardi