Box Score

HONOLULU - In Hawai`i's opening game of the Pepsi Malihini Kipa Aloha Tournament, No. 22 Oregon's offense propelled the Ducks to their 17th straight win. They cruised to a 7-1 win over No. 25 Hawai`i (12-3). Oregon pitcher Melissa Rice fired a one-hit complete game in the win at the Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium.

Hawai`i jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead after the top of the first inning. Tanisha Milca led the game off with a walk. Next, Clare Warwick hit a ground ball to short. The shortstop tried to get the lead runner at two, but her throw sailed into right, allowing Milca to scoot all the way around the bases to score. Warwick made it all the way to third after a second Duck throwing error on the relay home. The Duck defense then settled down and no other damage was done.

Oregon (17-1)responded immediately, posting two runs in the bottom half of the inning. Sari Jenkins got an infield single, then stole second to move into scoring position for Jessica Salling who got a hit up the middle to score Jenkins. Salling advanced to second on the play and then moved to third on a ground out to short. She later scored on a wild pitch to push the score to 2-1 in favor of UO.

In the bottom of the second, the Ducks exploded for four runs. Jenkins came through with a big two-run triple to extend Oregon's lead to 6-1. And in the fifth, they extended their lead to 7-1 with back to back doubles by Kristi Leiter and Joanna Gail.

UH pitcher Justine Smethurst took the loss in her shortest appearance of the season. She threw 2.0 innings, giving up six runs on five hits with a walk and a strike out. Jessica Morton came in relief and threw the final 4.0 innings giving up the one run on two hits with two walks and three strike outs.

For Oregon, Rice threw 7.0 innings giving up one unearned run and one hit. she walked six and struck out four.

Hawai`i will now play defending MAC champions Kent State (5-3) in the final game of the day.

-UH-