Oregon Ducks Sweep Utah, Finish 2018 Home Season At 19-1
Oregon Ducks Starter Megan Kleist took care of business and the Oregon Offense had big innings on Senior Day to sweep Utah.
Oregon Softball honored four Seniors on Sunday on Gwen Svekis, Jenna Lilley, Lauren Lindvall, and DJ Sanders before taking the field in the series finale against the Utah Utes. The Ducks took the first two games of the series and were looking for the series sweep. Megan Kleist started the game for second-ranked Oregon.
Lauren Lindvall hit a three-run double with one out in the bottom of the second inning to put the Oregon Ducks on the board. As the team has all season, Oregon continued to put runners on base with Haley Cruise drawing a walk after fouling off three straight pitches with Utah Pitcher Hailey Hilburn throwing low and away.
Jenna Lilley had a 2-1 count as Hilburn threw a wild pitch moving runners to second and third base. Lilley drew the walk to load the bases. Loading the bases ended the day for Hilburn as Utah went to the bullpen to bring in Katie Donovan. Utah would get out of the inning forcing April Utecht into a double play.
Gwen Svekis added to the Oregon lead with a two-run home run in the bottom of the third inning making it 5-0 Ducks. Utah scored a run in the top of the fourth inning and the Ducks were back with runners on base again int eh bottom of the fifth inning. A hit by Lauren Lindvall scored another RBI to make it 6-1 as Shannon Rhodes crossed home plate.
Jenna Lilley walked to the disappointment of the crowd. She was the lone Senior to that point without a hit, but she got a free pass for the second time in the game. Oregon added three runs in the inning for an 8-1 lead on the Utah Utes.
Oregon Starter Megan Kleist was finished for the day as Maggie Balint came into the circle. She received a standing ovation entering the circle and struck out the first batter she faced then forced two Utes into ground ball outs.
Balint gave up hits, but not runs and was able to close out the game without giving up a run. Oregon won the game 8-1. The Ducks finished the 2018 Regular Season at home with a 19-1 record. Oregon travels to finish the Pac-12 season on a 10 game winning streak.
Next: Oregon Basketball Recruiting: Brandon Williams Re-Commits To Arizona
The Oregon Ducks wrap up the regular season at California for a three-game series later this week. Game 1 is set for Thursday at 3 pm Pacific Time on Pac-12 Networks.