The Oregon Ducks softball team defeated UCLA, 13-11, on May 2 to claim their 16th consecutive Big Ten series victory. The game took place at Easton Stadium and saw Oregon score its highest run total ever against the Bruins.
This win matters as it solidifies Oregon’s position as a top contender in the conference and locks them into the No. 2 seed for the upcoming Big Ten Tournament. The team’s ability to come from behind—achieving this feat for the twentieth time this season—demonstrates resilience and consistency.
Stefini Ma’ake led Oregon with four hits and three runs batted in, while Amari Harper contributed three hits including her fifteenth home run of the year. Katie Flannery also homered, and Addison Amaral delivered a crucial pinch-hit double that helped erase an early deficit. Despite five home runs by UCLA, Oregon managed to hold on for the win.
“I just loved our fight, our resilience,” said head coach Melyssa Lombardi. “This entire team did everything they needed to do to find a way to win that ballgame.” Lombardi praised both offense and defense: “Our defense was excellent…and I loved our pitching staff. (UCLA) can absolutely swing it and to work together and to find a way to get a win was huge.”
Harper emphasized the importance of starting strong against tough opponents: “Against a great offense like this, we’re going to have to jump ahead and jump on them…just make sure we get the simple things done and just try to start a rally.” Ma’ake commented on her approach at bat: “At the plate mentality wise, I was just thinking hit the ball hard somewhere…Because if the ball gets hit hard, it goes somewhere.”
The Ducks’ series victory at Easton Stadium is their first since 2015. With one regular season game remaining against UCLA before postseason play begins, Lombardi reflected on her team’s accomplishment: “We take a lot of pride in that…just a tremendous effort by our entire team.”
