Oregon Ducks Softball: Starter Megan Kleist Helps Even Series With UCLA

Oregon Ducks Starter Megan Kleist did not pitch like a Freshman and allowed just two earned runs in a complete game that saw the game almost get away in the 7th inning, but the Ducks held on 6-5.

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The night after Cheridan Hawkins threw just two innings and allowed four runs, hitting two batters and watching Oregon muster 12 hits and lose 16-6 to the UCLA Bruins, the Ducks would look to even the series at one game each with Freshman Megan Kleist on the mound. The Starting Lineup for Oregon would be the same as it was on Friday with the hope of some Offensive output early.

Megan Kleist would start the game with a strikeout of Allexis Bennett setting the tone early and giving the crowd a reason to cheer early. She would not allow a hit. Delaney Spaulding would reach on an error, but get no further than first base before Oregon came to the plate.

Madeline Jalenicki scored on an error by Oregon first baseman Hailey Decker. Oregon would have three errors through two innings on Defense and Kleist gave up two hits for an unearned UCLA run in the top of the second inning.

Geri Ann Glasco would start off the bottom half of the inning with a walk. Two outs would follow ending the threat in the bottom of the second.

UCLA put up two runs on two hits including a two run home run from Delaney Spaulding for a 3-0 lead.

Oregon would pick up their first hit of the game as Lauren Linvall would get a single to left field with no outs. Danica Mercado would step into the batters box looking to put Oregon on the board. She would bunt the ball to the left and the ball would stop in bounds loading the bases for Alyssa Gillespie.

The Ducks would see a run cross the plate in the inning as UCLA would get their second double play of the game and Koral Costa would fly out to end the inning.

Oregon would get it going in the fifth inning as Lauren Lindvall hit a double to left center field. Danica Mercado would walk with one out bringing up Alyssa Gillespie. A UCLA Error on first baseman Brianna Tautalafua allowed Gillespie to reach first base loading the bases.

The Ducks would tie the game on a fielder’s choice error at 3 runs a piece. Oregon would take the le­­­­­ad 5-3 on a base hit from Koral Costa. The Ducks would tack on another run to take a 6-3 lead. It was a 5 run inning for the Oregon Ducks.

UCLA would get a hit with one out in the top of the 7^th inning that would see one run score, but Oregon would hold on for the win. Oregon Starter Megan Kleist went the distance giving up 7 hits, 2 earned runs and striking out 5 Bruins on the night.

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The final game of the three game series is set for 2pm Sunday. The game will be broadcast on Pac-12 Networks.