May 1, 2006

Santa Clara, Calif. - With an overall mark of 21-20, the University of Oregon doesn't have the most-eye popping record in collegiate softball, but it will still present a stiff challenge for Santa Clara, who travels up to Eugene, Ore. to play a doubleheader on Tuesday. Game time is set for 1 p.m. As a member of the battle-tested Pacific-10 Conference, generally regarded as the best league in the nation, the Ducks are a dangerous squad that has the ability to play with the best in the country.

This past weekend, Santa Clara (20-32, 7-9 PCSC) battled Loyola Marymount to a 2-2 record, with victories coming in the first and last games of the weekend. Over the four-game series, Jessica Clee hit .500 after going 5-10 at the plate, including a grand slam in the final contest of the weekend. She also had six RBIs. Jenny Brown also batted .308 to contribute to Santa Clara's offense, picking up four hits, two of them doubles, and four RBIs. In the circle, Liz Courter went 1-1 against Loyola Marymount, with a 3.50 ERA and fanning 17 batters. She also picked up a save in the process.

The Ducks are coming off of a 1-2 weekend, defeating No. 5 Stanford 9-0 in five innings, but dropping two to No. 9 California. Breanne Sabol is one of the top hitters on the team, with a batting average of .316, in addition to 29 RBIs, and she is tied with Sari-Jan Jenkins with the most hits on the squad with 37. Joanna Gail has a team-leading five home runs on the year, while Lovena Chaput, and Kayleen Hudson have each sent the ball out of the ballpark on four occasions. In the circle, Amy Harris has a team-low ERA of 1.52 while sporting an overall record of 9-5. Kathy Ardenson is on her fourth season at the helm of the Ducks softball program and will be looking to guide her team into the NCAA Tournament for the fourth straight year.

After Tuesday's twin bill, Santa Clara will return home for a weekend series against Pacific Coast Conference rival Saint Mary's. Game time for both Saturday and Sunday is scheduled for noon.