PREVIEW: Oregon Softball Kicks off Difficult April with Road Series @ No. 2 UCLA

Written by Ryan Oppenheimer

Oregon Softball (24-5) lost some points in the polls after winning 2 of 3 in their previous home series vs Cal, dropping from No. 12 to 13 in the USA Softball poll. While Cal was certainly a capable opponent, the Ducks will have a much tougher test this weekend as they travel to Westwood to face No. 2 UCLA (28-3).

Senior infielder Allee Bunker spoke of the team’s resilience and looks forward to carrying it over into this weekend. “I think this team is really good at coming back from behind… it might not always be the prettiest win… but a win is a win,” she said.

UCLA, which ranks top 10 in both ERA and batting average on the year, is sure to give Oregon few opportunities to shift momentum in their favor. There will be little margin for error if head coach Melyssa Lombardi’s Ducks want to fly home with a series win.

Oregon has one of the toughest April schedules in the country, facing 3 top 25 squads and 5 top 40 squads, but Lombardi and her team are up to the challenge. “We don’t really get caught up in the big picture… we really stay small and focus on one game at a time,” Lombardi said. "In order for us to do what we need to do, this is the type of schedule we need to play… and I’m confident in this team.”

Potential Starting Pitchers

Oregon: #15 Jr. RHP Makenna Kliethermes, #00 Fr. RHP Stevie Hansen

Kliethermes has proved a worthy replacement for injured ace Brooke Yanez. She has caught fire in stretches this year, and though she had a rough relief stint in the previous game in which she allowed three runs to Cal, a 2.31 ERA through 60.2 innings pitched is more indicative of her impressive season. Expect her to start at least one game this series.

Hansen has broken out as a true freshman, forming a starting committee with Kliethermes. A top 10 prospect in Extra Inning’s Class of 2021 rankings, she has exceeded expectations and accumulated a 2.03 ERA in 51.2 innings. A good performance against the 2nd best team in the nation would cement her as one of softball’s fastest rising stars.

Lefty reliever Jordan Dail and closer Raegan Breedlove are also valuable members of the staff.

UCLA: #8 RJr. RHP Megan Faraimo, #4 RSr. RHP Holly Azevedo

With a deadly riseball and a 1.41 ERA through 20 appearances, the Oceanside, CA native Faraimo is looking like arguably the country’s most exceptional pitcher this year. Dominance is nothing new for her, as she has been named a Softball America All-American all three years of her collegiate career. She’s taken it to new heights as of late, though, throwing two solo perfect games and contributing to another this season alone.

Azevedo forms a two-headed monster with Faraimo. A redshirt senior, she is one of the most experienced players on a team full of upperclassmen. With a 1.11 ERA and two no-hitters on the year (one of which came against No. 9 Arizona), she would easily be a primary ace for nearly any team other than the juggernaut Bruins.

Oregon’s Keys to Success

  • Treat every inning like the 7th inning; avoid a slow offensive start
  • Come out strong and take the first game
  • Be disciplined and don’t force anything at the plate

Injury Report

  • #38 Fr. IF Paige Sinicki (hit by pitch 3/21 vs BYU) is set to return, according to Lombardi.
  • #11 RJr. C Terra McGowan (out since game 5 with wrist) has removed her cast and is inching closer to a return, but there is no definitive timeline yet.

Projected Lineup – Oregon Ducks

  • 1. #51 Sr. 2B Allee Bunker
  • 2. #24 So. CF Hanna Delgado
  • 3. #13 So. 1B KK Humphreys
  • 4. #99 Jr. C Vallery Wong
  • 5. #3 Jr. RF Ariel Carlson
  • 6. #5 Jr. SS Paige Sinicki
  • 7. #22 RFr. DP Kai Luschar
  • 8. #20 Sr. 3B Rachel Cid
  • 9. #1 Fr. LF Kedre Luschar

Projected Lineup – UCLA Bruins 

  • 1. #37 RSr. 1B Kinsley Washington
  • 2. #3 RSr. SS Briana Perez
  • 3. #5 Fr. DP Savannah Pola
  • 4. #97 RSr. C Delanie Wisz
  • 5. #7 RSo. CF Maya Brady
  • 6. #8 P Megan Faraimo
  • 7. #20 RJr. 2B Anna Vines
  • 8. #11 RSo. RF Seneca Curo
  • 9. #14 RJr. LF Kelli Godin

Final Thoughts

With their high-powered offense, Oregon is never out of a game. As long as they avoid the slow starts they can be prone to at times, they can compete with giants like UCLA. While the fearless Ducks are surely setting their sights on a series sweep, even one win in SoCal would be an acceptable outcome.

Final Prediction

UCLA wins 2 of 3 games