By Charles Martindale

The Oregon softball team won their fifth consecutive game yesterday, beginning the Judi Garman classic in Fullerton, CA with a solid 6-2 victory over Fresno State. It was the Ducks’ 12th win in their last 13 games. Some of the usual producers helped out in the win over the Bulldogs, with K.K. Humphreys collecting a run and an RBI single as Ariel Carlson reached base three times including a home run. Tehya Bird’s three-run double was the defining moment in the Ducks’ 13th win of the 2023 campaign.

Today, 20th ranked Oregon plays their first of back to back doubleheaders, facing off against the 8-6 University of Minnesota and the 6-4 Cal Poly SLO Mustangs. Minnesota is led by sophomore catcher Taylor Krapf, who took home Big 10 player of the week honors last weekend. Freshman Jess Oakland has made waves early this season as well, hitting .326 with a trio of home runs to begin her collegiate career. Senior righty Autumn Pease is 4-3 with seven earned runs in 43.1 innings so far this year for the Golden Gophers. For the Mustangs in the nightcap, another sophomore catcher poses an offensive challenge, as Julia Barnett is the Cal Poly leader in hits, total bases, and the owner of a 10-game on-base streak. Leadoff hitter Jessica Clements is hitting .333 on the year, and .386 in her two seasons with the Mustangs. Freshman standout Sophia Ramuno has been a force inside the circle, ranking second in the Big West with 41 strikeouts, and appearing in eight out of SLO’s 10 games to start off her career.

The outlook for Oregon in the Judi Garman Classic remains the same, keep the team clicking and continue to pick up the pace in a strong Pac-12. With four games in two days, they’ll have ample opportunity to keep things rolling.

KWVA’s Ryan Milano is on the call at 12:30 and 5:30 on 88.1 FM.