By Ryan Oppenheimer
EUGENE, OR — Friday evening, Oregon Softball entered their final regular-season series with Utah looking to extend their 13-game win streak. But following a 3-1 loss, they'll have to begin a new streak. After scoring over 8 runs per game and allowing fewer than 2 per game since their last loss on April 2, no one got it going against Utah ace Mariah Lopez, who fanned seven batters en route to a complete game.
The most important of the Ducks' four hits was a no-doubt solo blast over the right field scoreboard by Ariel Carlson in the second inning to give the Ducks a 1-0 lead. It was an impressive display of opposite field power, and at the time, it looked like the start of another offensive onslaught.
The score didn't budge in the third or fourth inning, though, as Oregon starter Morgan Scott kept the Utes off the board but the offense failed to support her. The fifth inning saw the game turn upside down. After Sophie Jacquez led off with a single, Kendall Lundberg immediately drove her home with a home run to left center. That wasn't the last home run of the inning, as Karlie Davison also took Scott deep. It could've gotten even worse, as Utah proceeded to load the bases with two singles and a walk, but Scott managed to limit the damage there.
Oregon's defense dazzled all game long and gave themselves plenty of chances to come back. Paige Sinicki starred on defense as per usual, extending for an aerial grab to save a well-hit liner in the second inning. The top of the 7th saw more acrobatics from the outfield, as Kai Luschar and Hanna Delgado made a pair of crowd-pleasing catches to keep Utah's speedy runners off the basepaths. While they kept themselves within striking distance, they just weren't able to capitalize on opportunities at the plate. The best chance they had was in the sixth when Kai Luschar was able to get the tying run on board, but Terra McGowan lined into an unlucky double play to end the frame.
Despite the disappointing performance, spirits remain high in the Oregon locker room. Every good team has the occasional unlucky hitting performance, and it's certainly better to end a winning streak during the regular season as opposed to an elimination tournament game. As well as the defense played, they should be just as dynamic when Scott hands the ball off to Stevie Hansen either tomorrow or Sunday. But if Oregon wants to jump in front of Washington and take the No. 2 seed in the Pac-12 tournament, they'll need to couple that with more offensive production.
The Ducks and Utes will take the diamond again on Saturday, May 6 at 4:00 p.m. PT.