The Oregon Ducks erupted for six runs on Saturday to take Game 1 of the three game series vs UCLA, but Bruins Pitching won the series in the end
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Entering the season the Oregon Ducks were the favorite to win the Pac-12 Conference, with a known name on the mound in Cheridan Hawkins. Throughout the year, others would step up and become household names for the Oregon Faithful. Alyssa Gillespie, Nikki Udria, the Lindvall Sisters, to name a few.
When all was said and done, Oregon ended the year at 48-10, not just winning the Pac-12 Championship this season, but the last four in a row. Megan Kleist brings promise for a bright future for this team, but once again, the UCLA Bruins found a way to come in to Eugene and take a three game series from Oregon, but of course, this one had more meaning then the one in April.
Saturday saw Oregon struggle at the plate. In Game One, they took a one run lead, but in the bottom of the ninth(UCLA was the home team), Gabrielle Maurice tied the game with a home run off Megan Kleist. UCLA would go on to take the game 2-1 in Extra innings.
Game 3 saw Cheridan Hawkins on the mound, but two runs appeared too much to overcome and Oregon lost the series and saw their season come to a close. Hawkins did not have a perfect night, allowing an early walk that turned into a run. She will finish her Oregon career as a Pitching Phenom who is ready made for the next level.
She, along with the other six Seniors that played along with her brought Oregon Ducks Softball from Howe Field to a new Jane Sanders Stadium and did it as only they could. There will be a new face of the team in 2017. Madi Bishop made a name for herself in 2016 with limited and key at bats. Lauren Lindvall returns to Oregon, as does Gwen Svekis and Nikki Udria along with Starting Pitcher Megan Kleist.