By Ivan Gutierrez:
In game one of Friday’s doubleheader in the Kajikawa Tournament, the Spartans were no-hit through 4 innings and fell short to the No. 9 ranked University of Oregon Ducks 8-0.
The Spartans faced a nationally ranked Ducks squad who are coming off their fourth straight Pac 12 conference championship.
Both offenses were held scoreless until a booming third inning when the Ducks scored five runs on five hits including a moon-scraping three-run home run by sophomore infielder Madi Bishop.
The game was clinched an inning later in the bottom of the sixth inning on a run-ruled walk-off R.B.I double by junior utility player Lauren Lindvall.
Freshman Kacie Gresenz was on the mound for the Spartans making her first ever collegiate start. Gresenz’s inexperience played a big factor against this championship Ducks lineup. She was handed the loss and allowed eight runs on 10 hits in five innings.
Senior Colette Riggs came in as a relief pitcher in the fifth inning and allowed two hits and no runs.
In the second game, despite a strong effort from the Spartans’ offense, it was still not enough to top the University of Utah Utes. The Spartans would end up losing their second game of the day 8-5 and dropped to 1-3 on the early season.
Spartans pitcher, senior Emily Rodgers found herself is early trouble in the third inning and gave up four runs on four hits.
The Spartans were able to put up a pair of runs in both the second and third innings, however were never able to match the Utes’ steady, and consistent offensive production.
The Fresno area duo of freshman infielder Cassidy Clark and sophomore Alyssa Avila both knocked in a pair of R.B.I’s for the Spartans. Also, senior outfielder Casey Watt and sophomore outfielder Kristen Heffley each had a three hit games.
The Spartans will try and bounce back tomorrow against the University of Virginia Cavaliers and the U.C. Riverside Highlanders to close out their time at the Kajikawa Classic.