Ducks Fired Up to Open 2010 in Tempe - GoDucks.com - The University of Oregon Official Athletics Web Site

* A Multi-Media Guide is available via the 'MORE' link above as are 2009 stats, a 2010 season prospectus and all-time Oregon rankings via the STATISTICS link.

DUCK SOFTBALL THIS WEEK
EUGENE - This weekend, the University of Oregon softball team kicks off its 37th season and first under head coach Mike White at the Kajikawa Classic, hosted by Arizona State University, Friday-Sunday, February 12-14 at the Tempe Sports Complex (8403 S. Hardy Drive, Chandler).

Set to chase its 12 postseason trip in school history, and sixth the past eight years, Oregon received preseason national poll votes for the seventh straight season.

The Duck roster is full of veteran talent, and last year’s top three pitchers all return, including All-Pac-10 Freshman Team member and sophomore Samantha Skillingstad who posted UO’s fourth-best strikeout tally ever in ‘09 (170). Backing her up, seven of last year’s eight starting fielders are also back, including two-time All-Pac-10 Second Team pick, two-time USA Softball Player of the Year Watch List pick, and senior centerfielder Neena Bryant.

THIS WEEK’S ACTION – Kajikawa Classic, Tempe, Ariz. – www.TheSunDevils.com
Friday, February 12 – Notre Dame, 10:30 a.m. PT; Creighton, 1 p.m. PT
Saturday, February 13 – San Diego State, 2 p.m. PT; Texas Tech, 4:30 p.m. PT
Sunday, February 13 – Western Michigan, 10:15 a.m. PT; Cal State Northridge, 12:30 p.m. PT
* Note: Local time is Mountain Time (i.e. one hour later than Pacific Time (PT))

ON THE ROAD AGAIN … AND AGAIN … AND AGAIN…
After their six games this weekend, the Ducks continue their 22-game away stand with three more weekend tournaments in Las Vegas (2/19-21), Palm Springs (2/25-27) and San Diego (3/5-7).

QUICK TOURNEY PREVIEW
In the ASU-hosted event, Ducks open against returning NCAA regional finalist Notre Dame (43-17 in ‘09) and face another NCAA returnee Saturday in San Diego State (33-20 – ’09). Among Oregon’s other three opponents, three were above .500 last season - Creighton (35-16), Cal State Northridge (27-20) and Western Michigan (25-22) - while Texas Tech went 15-42 last year.

SERIES HISTORY
Among the opening weekend’s opponents, the Ducks own a combined 29-25 record all-time vs. Notre Dame (2-2), Creighton (0-2), San Diego State (11-10), Texas Tech (7-1), Western Michigan (0-1) and Cal State Northridge (9-9).

IN THE POLLS
The Ducks received 11 votes in the USA Softball preseason poll, and was one of seven Pac-10 teams sighted along with No. 1 Washington, No. 4 Arizona, No. 6 UCLA, No. 7 Arizona State, No. 11 California and No. 12 Stanford.

For comparison’s sake, six Pac-10 teams also ranked top 12 in the NFCA preseason edition – No. 1 Washington, No. 5 Arizona State, No. 6 Arizona, No. 8 UCLA, No. 10 Stanford and No. 12 California.

Complete NFCA and USA Softball preseason polls are available at the http://nfca.org/top25/index.php?cat_id=1 and http://www.usasoftball.com/news.asp?uid=5398 URL addresses.

2009 KAJIKAWA REWIND

In last year’s season-opening tournament in Tempe, outfielder Neena Bryant tied the school record in stolen bases (4) vs. Wichita State. In the same game, outfielder Shelley Deadmond banged out her first collegiate hits in a 3-for-3 day, and catcher Ashley Kivett and Sari-Jane Jenkins homered to help UO come back from a 12-0 deficit before it eventually fell 15-12. Overall, Deadmond hit .750 for the trip and six others topped .300 – Kelsey Chambers (.545, 6-for-11, 1 double), Cortney Kivett (.500, 9-for-18), Bryant (.471, 8-for-17, 1 double), Sari-Jane Jenkins (.421, 8-for-19, 1 double, 1 home run), Monique Fuiava (.385, 5-for-13, 2 doubles, 2 home runs) and Carlyn Re (.357, 5-for-14). Bryant and Jenkins both hit safely in every game, and Jenkins also boosted the team by starting at shortstop for the first time in her collegiate career in all five games. Re also hit safely in four contests, while Cortney Kivett had a pair of 3-for-4 days vs. Wichita State and UTEP.

The Ducks went 2-3 in the tourney as Samantha Skillingstad claimed all three wins over Texas Tech (4-3), UTEP (4-2) and Wagner (3-0), while UO lost the opening games to UC Santa Barbara (4-2) and Wichita State (15-12). Skillingstad struck out eight in the five-inning complete game over Wagner (shortened by rain delays), and also whiffed eight Miners in her seven-inning complete game, and got the final out vs. Texas Tech after Brittany Rumfelt pitched the first 7.2 innings and struck out six. In the comeback, eight-inning win over the Red Raiders, Skillingstad also knocked in the game-tying run in the eighth inning as a pinch hitter, while Kelsey Chambers knocked in the game winning RB on a single in the next at-bat. In Skillingstad’s other start vs. UCSB, she struck out six in the six-inning complete game.

SIZING UP THE SCHEDULE
The Ducks face another grueling schedule in 2010 and look ahead to 31 games against 14 tournament qualifiers from last year’s NCAA field.

That list of who’s who in collegiate softball includes including last year’s national champion (Washington), two more World College World Series (WCWS) qualifiers (Arizona, Arizona State), three more regional champions (California, Stanford, UCLA), three more regional finalists (Cal Poly, Notre Dame, Texas A&M) and five more tourney qualifiers (BYU, Cal State Fullerton, Long Beach State, Portland State, San Diego State).

For comparison’s sake, UO’s 2009 schedule ranked eighth nationally among the 286 programs nationwide at the end of the regular season, and final collegiate softball RPI rankings are available at the http://web1.ncaa.org/app_data/weeklyrpi/2009WSBrpi1.html and http://www.fullysports.com/softball/2009/rpi websites.

Glancing at the preseason NFCA and USA Softball polls, six of UO’s 31 opponents this season were ranked top 12 – Washington (1/1), Arizona State (5/7), Arizona (6/4), UCLA (8/6), Stanford (10/12) and California (12/11). Eleven other Duck foes received votes in at least one of the two preseason polls - BYU, Cal Poly, Cal State Fullerton, Cal State Northridge, Creighton, Hawai’i, Long Beach State, Notre Dame, San Diego State, Texas &M and Western Michigan.

Fans should note that the Pac-10 schedule will feature a new scheduling twist – three-game, same-team weekend sets to ease the travel demands compared to the previous ‘travel pair’ arrangement.

DUCKS TO WATCH
The squad smacks of experience and welcomes back 14 letterwinners led by senior centerfielder Neena Bryant, a repeat All-Pac-10 Second Team honoree in ’09. The squad also returns its top three pitchers from last season – junior Brittany Rumfelt and sophomores Mikayla Endicott and Samantha Skillingstad – and the latter was an All-Pac-10 Freshman Team pick.

Starters from seven field positions also return in 2010 – Bryant, fellow senior outfielders Shelley Deadmond and Blair Williamson and first baseman Carlyn Re; junior first baseman Monique Fuiava, infielder Cortney Kivett and catchers Ashley Kivett and Kaitlin Vitek; and sophomore infielder/outfielder Kelsey Chambers and infielder Lindsey Chambers.

Also ready to make an immediate impact, UO’s talented four-person newcomer class includes outfielder Allie Burger (Spokane, Wash.), infielder Kaylan Howard (Riverside, Calif.), pitcher Jessica Moore (Sutter, Calif.) and outfielder Samantha Pappas (Las Flores, Calif.).

ON THE CHARTS
On Oregon’s all-time career charts, senior Neena Bryant already ranks top 10 in four categories, and is on pace to join several other offensive categories. A list of various current Ducks on career, season and game all-time categories follows:

UO CAREER LEADERS
Stolen Bases
4, Neena Bryant – 64 (3rd is 71, 2nd is 72, 1st is 96)
9, Cortney Kivett – 44 (8th is is 52, 6th-t, is 58, 5th is 60)

Home Runs
5, Neena Bryant – 28 (4th is 31, 3rd is 33, 2nd is 35, 1st is 37)

RBI
6, Neena Bryant – 120 (4th-t is 121; 3rd is 136, 2nd is 141, 1st is 145)

Batting Average
10, Neena Bryant - .318 (9th is .324, 8th is .326, 7th is .333, 6th is .335, 5th is .339)

UO SEASON LEADERS
Stolen Bases
4, 33 - Cortney Kivett, 2008
5, 27 - Neena Bryant, 2009
8, 23 - Neena Bryant, 2008

Doubles
4t, 14 - Neena Bryant, 2007

Runs Batted In
4t, 46 - Neena Bryant, 2007, ‘08

Extra Base Hits
5t, 25 - Neena Bryant, 2007

Total Bases
9t, 104 - Neena Bryant, 2007, ‘08

Home Runs
10, 10 - Neena Bryant, 2007, ‘08

Strikeouts
4, 170 - Samantha Skillingstad, 2009

UO GAME LEADERS
Stolen Bases
1t, 4, Neena Bryant, vs. Wichita State, 2/14/09
4t, 3, Cortney Kivett, at UNLV, 3/8/08

Hits
2t, 4, Cortney Kivett, vs. Seattle, 3/24/09

Home Runs
3t, 2, Monique Fuiava, vs Cal Poly, 2/9/08; vs. Cal State Fullerton, 2/13/09

RBIs
5t, 6, Monique Fuiava, vs Cal Poly, 2/9/08

Strikeouts
9t, 10, Samantha Skillingstad at Stanford, 4/24/09

DOUBLE YOUR FUN
The Ducks again sport a pair of twins on their roster in 2010 – all four of whom who frequently started last season.

The fraternal set of juniors Ashley Kivett and Cortney Kivett sisters were integral members of the Duck offense in 2008 as Cortney paced the Pac-10 in steals with UO’s fourth-most ever in a season (33), while Ashley started 43 games, including 41 behind the plate and had homers against both Pac-10 Northwest rivals, Oregon State and Washington.

In 2009, the identical sophomore pair of Kelsey Chambers and Lindsey Chambers saw the most action among newcomers last year and played a variety of positions. Kelsey started in right field the first half of ‘09, then started 24 games in the remainder at second base (and had two more at shortstop), and all Lindsey’s starts came in the left side of the infield with 18 at third base and 22 at shortstop.

RETURNING DUCK STARTER PRESEASON NOTES
- Senior centerfielder Neena Bryant is on pace to crack the Duck top 10 in a host of career categories, and is a two-time Oregon Offensive Player of the Year. The Placentia, Calif., native was an USA Softball Player of the Year top-50 Watch List pick again in both 2009 and ’10, and an All-Pac-10 Second Team choice in 2008 and ’09.

- Senior outfielder Blair Williamson has been at her finest offensively in the Pac-10 slate, and is one of the team’s most daring players defensively. She launched her first three career home runs as a junior last year – including two in Pac-10 play.

- Redshirt senior outfielder Shelley Deadmond loomed as one of the most improved players last season and made a career-high 20 starts in left and right field after she opened the ’09 season with a 3-for-3 day.

- Senior first baseman Carlyn Re has anchored the right side with 41 starts each of the last two seasons. The lone senior among returning infield starters, her 29 hits in ’09 almost doubled her previous season high.

- Junior Monique Fuiava, a consistent starter at first base and DP will set her sights on the Duck all-time career top-10 homer list, and her 15 round-trippers entering 2010 are only five away. Her two homers in a game each of the last two seasons ranks third-best in school history.

- Sophomore identical twins Kelsey Chambers and Lindsey Chambers are again expected to play key roles on the left side of the infield. In '09, Kelsey quickly adjusted to collegiate-level pitching, and ranks top three among returnees from last season in RBI (second, 21), doubles (second, 7) and home runs (third, 5). Lindsey came up with clutch hits in several of the team’s Pac-10 wins, and altogether belted four home runs.

- Both of last year’s starting catchers – juniors Ashley Kivett and Kaitlin Vitek – return with extra confidence after handling last year’s staff, and are two of the team’s top returning hitters. Kivett has delivered a host of clutch hits the past two seasons, while Vitek showed mark offensive maturity as a sophomore and one of the team’s more powerful bats. Sophomore Jordan Reeves’ arrival last year added key flexibility, and she is highly regarded as one of the team’s hardest-working and most improved players.

DUCK PITCHER PRESEASON NOTES
First-year head coach Mike White definitely knows the importance of pitching in the Pac-10 as his former pupils were key components for some of Oregon’s greatest teams in 2003 and '04. One of the greatest pitchers in U.S. Men’s National Team history and a Hall of Fame hurler, White is excited to return all three of last year’s top pitchers.

- All-Pac-10 Freshman Team member and sophomore Samantha Skillingstad quickly staked her position among the West Coast’s top hurlers last year when she racked up the fourth-most strikeouts (170) in school history. She led the Ducks in a host of other categories last year and ranked top 10 in the Pac-10 in strikeouts (sixth, 170), ERA (sixth, 2.36), opposing batting average (seventh, .221), innings (seventh, 178.1) and starts (28). She logged all of UO’s Pac-10 wins against former national champions Arizona and California, and Oregon State, and also topped eventual NCAA qualifiers Georgia Tech and Portland State.

- Junior Brittany Rumfelt ranked second on the team last year in appearances (23) and strikeouts (74), and early in the season posted a career-high seven strikeouts vs. both Texas Tech and NCAA qualifier San Diego State. She started her career off in ‘08 with a 4-0 mark in non-conference action.

- Sophomore Mikayla Endicott was one of team’s top pitchers in the non-conference slate in 2009, and her nine strikeouts in a complete game vs. Utah was one off the team season high. As a prep, she was a two-time state pitcher of the year and Gatorade State Player of the Year.

- Freshman Jessica Moore was the 2009 California state small school player of the year and a two-time all-state pitcher for Sutter High School. She racked up 18 no-hitters among her 34 wins as a senior and 504 strikeouts in 210 innings.

OTHER DUCK RETURNEE PRESEASON NOTES
- Senior infielder Hannah Barril has been one of the team’s most called-up infield reserves and has started at second base the past two seasons, and is a former Most Inspirational Team Award winner.

- Junior Cortney Kivett has been a familiar face at the top of the lineup, especially since she led the Pac-10 in stolen bases as a freshman (33). She ranked third on the team in batting and hits each of the last two years and hit +.345 in non-conference action both seasons (.348 in /08 / .351 in ‘09). In ’09, the Yucaipa, Calif., native was voted the team’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player after she started 25 games at both second base and third base in ’09, then shifted again to shortstop for the Fall Fest tourney last October.

OTHER NEWCOMER NOTES
- Freshman outfielder Allie Burger was a prep All-American in 2008 and ’07 for Shadle Park High School in Spokane, Wash.

- Freshman outfielder Samantha Pappas was an Under Armour All-American as a senior in '09 for Tesoro High School near Irvine, Calif.

- Freshman econd baseman Kaylan Howard was a Big VIII League First Team choice last season for Riverside Poly High School (Calif.) and capably handled starting duties last October in the Fall Fest.

THIS WEEK’S OPPONENT INFO

Notre Dame Irish – Fri., Feb. 12, 10:30 a.m. Pacific Time / 11:30 a.m Mountain Time
Website: www.und.com
Head Coach: Deanna Gumpf
Career Record (Years): 332-153-1 (8)
Record at School: Same
Assistants: Kris Ganeff, Lizzy Lemire, Dawn Austin (Volunteer)
2009 Overall Record: 43-17
2009 Conference Record: 19-4
2009 Postseason: Regional (2-2)
Returning Letterwinners/Starters/Pitchers: 13/7/1
Series Record: Tied, 2-2
Top Returnees (Key 2009 Stats)
- Jody Valdivia, P, Jr. (19-5, 2.28 ERA, 18 CG, 2 SHO, 165 K / 159.1 IP)
- Christine Lux, IF, Sr., (3.29, 54H, 40R, 11 2B, 15 HR, 51 RBI)
- Dani Miller, OF, So. (.324, 44H, 22R, 13 2B, 11 HR, 46 RBI)
- Heather Johnson, IF, Sr. (.356, 63H, 21R, 14 2B, 3 HR, 39 RBI)
- Erin Marrone, OF, Jr. (.355, 33H, 24R, 6 2B, 5 HR, 14 RBI)

Creighton Bluejays – Fri., Feb. 12, 1 p.m. PT / 2 p.m. MT
Website: www.gocreighton.com
Head Coach: Brent Vigness
Career Record (Years): 664-423-3 (21)
Record at School: 516-352-2
Assistants: Abby Johnson, Kate Petullo
2009 Overall Record: 35-16
2009 Conference Record: 19-6
2009 Postseason: DNQ
Ret. Letterwinners/Starters/Pitchers: 12/8/2
Series Record: Creighton leads, 2-0
Top Returnees (Key 2009 Stats)
- Renae Sinkler, Sr., 1B (.364, 51H, 5 2B, 2 3B, 32 BB)
- Michelle Koch, Sr., 2B (.324, 45H, 7 2B, 17 RBI)
- Tara Oltman,Sr. P (0.88 ERA, 29-11, 12 SHO, 283 SO / 277.1 IP)

San Diego State Aztecs – Sat., Feb. 13, 2 p.m. PT / 3 p.m. MT
Website: www.goaztecs.com
Head Coach: Kathy Van Wyk
Career/SDSU Record (Years): 441-313 (13)
Assistants: Stacey Nuveman, Steve Miner, Forrest Levinson (Volunteer)
2009 Overall Record: 33-20
2009 Conference Record: 10-5
2009 Postseason: Regional (0-2)
Ret. Letterwinners/Starters/Pitchers: 16/6/3
Series Record: UO leads, 11-10
Top Returnees (Key 2009 Stats)
- Monica Alnes, RSr., 1B (.303, 9 HR, 77 RBI)
- Brittany Knudsen, Sr., CF (.332, 7 HR, 55 RBI, 32 SB
- Jessica Camello, Jr., 2B (.250, 13 RBI)

Texas Tech Raiders – Sat., Feb. 13, 4:30 p.m. PT / 5:30 p.m. MT
Website: www.TexasTech.com
Head Coach: Shanon Hays
Career Record (Years): 114-16 (2)
Record at School: 0-0 (0)
Assistants: Ali Sartini, Kristie Fox
2009 Overall Record: 15-42
2009 Conference Record: 3-15
2009 Postseason: DNQ
Ret. Letterwinners/Starters/Pitchers: 10/6/2
Series Record: UO leads, 7-1
Top Returnees (Key 2009 Stats)
- Stephanie Drewery, OF, So. (.339, 57H, 5 2B, 9 SB)
- Leah Legler, Sr., IF (.318, 55H, 10 SB)
- Ashly Jacobs, Sr., P (.435 ERA, 9-18, 102 SO / 156 IP)

Western Michigan Broncos – Sun., Feb. 14, 10:15 a.m. PT / 11:15 a.m. MT
Website: www.wmubroncos.com
Head Coach: Kathy Leitke
Career Record (Years): 530-379-1 (18)
Record at School: 218-212-1
Assistants: Jamie Spitale, Michele Penney (Volunteer), Becky Bartosz (Student)
2009 Overall Record: 25-22
2009 Conference Record: 16-6
2009 Postseason: DNQ
Ret. Letterwinners/Starters/Pitchers:
Series Record: WMU leads, 1-0
Top Returnees (Key 2009 Stats)
- Lexi Jager, Jr., P-1B (.361, 56H, 33R, 8 2B, 10 HR, 32 RBI)
- Meredith Whitney, So., P-1B (.284, 38H, 6 HR, 31 RBI, 17-11, 6 SHO, 196 SO / 185.1 IP))
- Gracie Barstad, So., 3B (.256, 33H, 4 2B, 2 HR)

Cal State Northridge Matadors - Sun., Feb. 14, 12:30 p.m. PT / 1:30 MT
Website: www.gomatadors.com
Head Coach: Barbara Jordan
Career Record (Years): 229-197-1 (9)
Record at School: Same
Assistants: Roni Sparrey, Kia Fennell
2009 Overall Record: 27-20
2009 Conference Record: 7-11
2009 Postseason: DNQ
Ret. Letterwinners/Starters/Pitchers: 13/8
Series Record: Tied, 9-9
Top Returnees (Key 2009 Stats)
- Jaclyn Rymer, Sr., 1B (.319, 45H, 5 2B, 1 HR, 17 RBI, 10 SB)
- Christina Saenz, Sr., OF (.303, 37H, 6 2B, 1 HR, 24 RBI)
- Tracy Allen, Jr. IF (.273, 33H, 3 2B, 1 HR, 11 RBI)
- Deborah Duran, Sr. P (2.43 ERA, 3 SHO, 79 SO/176 IP)
- Hannah Fraijo, So. P (2.64 ERA, 7-4, 51 SO/90 IP)

BORN TO RUN
The Ducks have been one of the Pac-10’s top teams on the basepaths and their 68 steals in ’09 ranked third in the league, after they topped the conference in 2007 (120) and ‘08 (110).

Going back into the Duck history books, those two aforementioned marks are the best in school history and ranked eighth and 19th nationally, while last year’s mark ranked sixth-best in the Duck record books and 47th in the nation.

Individually, four of UO’s top-10 career stolen bases leaders have made their presence felt on the basepaths in recent seasons –Sari-Jane Jenkins (first, 96), Suzie Barnes (third, 71), senior Neena Bryant (fourth, 64) and junior Cortney Kivett (ninth, 44).

Kivett and Jenkins led the Pac-10 in stolen bases in ’08 (33 / 32) – the fourth- and fifth-best Duck marks all-time behind Barnes’ and Jenkins’ totals in ‘07 (41 / 38) and former Duck Marnie McCall’s 36 swipes in ’92. Bryant is spotted twice on the all-time Duck season list with her 27 last season (#6) and 23 in ’08 (#8).

TOP DUCK PROFILE
First-year head coach Mike White is widely regarded as one of finest U.S. National Team players and pitching mentors in the country. The 2009 International Softball Congress (ISC) Hall of Fame selection, also is well-known in the area as an integral part of two of Oregon’s greatest teams in 2003 and ‘04 and one of the West Coast’s top prep coaches.

In that prior Duck stint as an assistant coach, the Ducks lowered their ERA from 3.01 the season prior to his arrival to 2.12 and 1.68, respectively, while its strikeout totals of 347 and 394 – the best two in school history – far outdistanced its 223 total from 2002.

His first-year pupils included then-freshman Amy Harris who set a single-season strikeout record (180) his first season, while senior Andrea Vidlund led the nation in saves and set a Pac-10 record (11). The next season, newcomer Ani Nyhus was an All-Pac-10 First Team and NCAA Regional All-Tournament choice and two-time conference pitcher of the week. The junior college transfer notched 20 wins (25-12), rewrote the program’s single-season strikeout record (202) and pitched a no-hitter vs. Utah State. Catcher Jenn Poore was also an All-American and All-Pac-10 Second Team honoree in ’04 and drafted into the National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) league.

Since then, he has continued to live in Eugene with his family and has remained active as an assistant coach for one of the nation’s top programs at Marist High School during the 2008-09 seasons. The program ended 2009 ranked 22nd nationally by USA Today and won consecutive 4A state titles after identical 29-1 seasons. He has also coached the Northwest Thunder and Northwest Bullets Amateur Softball Association of America (ASA) youth club teams and served as a private instructor for various elite players of all levels.

As a player, the New Zealand native became a U.S. citizen in 1994 and helped the two national teams claim two gold medals, two silver medals and one bronze in his four trips with New Zealand and two with the United States

In 2000, he helped guide the USA to a bronze medal in the World Championships when he went 2-0 with a 0.89 ERA and 19 strikeouts. In 1999, the U.S. won the silver medal at the Pan Am Games, and he was 3-2 with a 0.68 ERA and 35 strikeouts. He also played on three silver medal Pan-American Games teams in 1995, 1999 and 2003.

Among other honors, the multiple Amateur Softball Association of America (ASA) MVP pitcher and All-American helped lead teams to five ASA national titles and five ISC World Club Championships, and was the 2002 ASA Player of the Year.

MORE LOVE FOR THE DUCK STAFF
In his first move as a head coach, White quickly and wisely tapped three of the West Coast’s top players to fill out his coaching staff.

Former Stanford All-America catcher Jessica Allister has as an assistant coach two years at both Stanford and Georgia and helped the teams to five NCAA trips, three Super Regional bids, one Southeastern Conference title, and another SEC East Division crown. As a player, the three-time All-Pac-10 pick helped Stanford to four postseason bids and two World Series trips, then played professionally for the New England Riptide in 2004 and ‘05.

Former UCLA All-American Lisa Dodd has earned similar respect as a Nevada assistant coach after she helped them to WAC conference title, top-20 rankings and NCAA bid in 2008. As a pitcher and infielder, the 2007 NFCA Second-Team All-American helped the Bruins to three straight WCWS trips and a Pac-10 title in 2006. She went on to play professionally in Italy in 2007 and ’08, while as a prep she was tabbed the 2003 Gatorade National Prep Player of the Year.

Duck faithful are more than familiar with the leadership abilities of recent great Sari-Jane Jenkins who will serve as an undergraduate assistant coach in 2010. The Duck school stolen base record holder (96), was a 2007 All-Pac-10 / All-Region Honoree and ’09 team captain. She also ranks top-10 all-time for Oregon in hits (second, 230), runs (fourth, 135), doubles (seventh, 33) and batting average (10th, .324). Last summer she played for Akron in the National Professional Fastpitch league after she was drafted 19th overall last spring and the fourth of six Pac-10 players selected in the draft.

CATCH THE ACTION LIVE
Duck softball fans can track home action this season several ways. For home games, O-Zone subscribers can listen to and watch games online for as little as $6.66 per month, and a link to signing up is available at the www.GoDucks.com multimedia link at the top of each page.

For all games, live stats for all home and away contests are available for free via the softball schedule page by clicking on the page icon with the '1" in the far right media column.

PAC-10 PRESEASON POLL
In the annual Pacific-10 Conference Softball Coaches Preseason Poll, returning national champion and No. 1-ranked Washington received seven of the eight first-place votes and 49 points – both maximum totals possible. No. 6 Arizona followed in second place with 41 points, and was followed by No. 8 UCLA (third, 37 points, 1 first-place vote), No. 5 Arizona State (fourth-tie, 26), No. 10 Stanford (fourth-tie, 26), No. 12 California (sixth, 25), Oregon (seventh-tie, 10) and Oregon State (seventh-tie, 10).

THE CONFERENCE OF CHAMPIONS
The Pac-10’s moniker is statistically validated by the fact the eight Pac-10 schools have combined to win 22 of the 27 softball NCAA national championships, including the last four. Last year, the Pac-10 advanced six teams to the 16-team Super Regional level, including three of the eight World Series qualifiers.

HOME SWEET HOWE
In mid-March, UO opens its home slate at Howe Field with twin-bills on Saturday and Sunday, March 13 and 14 against Boise State and North Dakota. Duck fans will also be pleased to hear that with the addition of lights, Friday conference home tilts are pushed back to 6 p.m., along with several afternoon non-conference doubleheaders that start later than before.

TICKET INFORMATION
In 2010, the Ducks will host 19 home games on 14 dates at Howe Field. UO has four non-conference doubleheader dates early in the schedule vs. Boise State (Sat., March 13, 2 p.m.), North Dakota (Sat., March 13, 4 p.m.), Seattle (Thu., March 25, 3 p.m.) and Idaho State (Fri., March 26) , then has another non-conference twinbill vs. Portland State (Wed., April 28, 4 p.m.).

Oregon’s first home Pac-10 contest is against California, Friday, April 9 for a 6 p.m. tilt. Four weeks later, UO caps its home slate vs. eight-time national champion Arizona, Friday-Sun., May 7-9. The Ducks also have a three-game slate against defending national champion Washington, Friday-Sunday, April 16-18.

Varsity sport tickets are available though the Oregon Athletic Ticket Office (1-800-WEB-FOOT, 541 346-4461 locally), and tickets are for general admission seating are $5 for Adults and $3 for Children (2-18) and Seniors (62+). Groups of 10 or more that arrange for tickets in advance can purchase GA tickets for $2 each. Current UO Students with valid UO ID’s can receive general admission at no charge.

THE ROAD TO OKLAHOMA CITY
In 2010, Oregon will seek its 12th postseason bid to the NCAA tournament and sixth in the last eight years. The 64-team NCAA tournament kicks off on May 21-23 at 16 sites nationally; the Super Regionals are set for May 28-29; and the Women’s College World Series returns to Oklahoma City, June 1-8.

OREGON POSTSEASON HISTORY
UO’s first postseason trip was in 1976 to the AIAW World Series, an event it returned to in 1980. The Ducks’ next regional trip in 1989 (3-1) resulted in its lone Women’s College World Series invitation where it went 1-2 with a win over South Carolina (1-0) and losses to Cal Poly Pomona (1-0) and Arizona (4-0). The Ducks also advanced to regional play in 1990 (0-2), ’94 (2-2), ’98 (2-2), ’99 (1-2) and 2000 (2-2). After a two-year absence, White helped the Ducks return to the regional final and one game from the Women’s College World Series in trips in ’03 to Fullerton, Calif. (5-2) and ’04 to Tallahassee, Fla., (4-2). Oregon also scored recent regional final appearances in ’05 (2-2) and ’07 in Columbia, S.C. (2-2) and ’08 (2-2) in Norman, Okla.

MORE ONLINE SOFTBALL INFORMATION
NCAA: www.ncaasports.com
NCAA Playing Rules: http://www.ncaapublications.com/ProductsDetailView.aspx?sku=SR11
NCAA Championships Handbooks: http://ncaa.org/wps/portal/ncaahome?WCM_GLOBAL_CONTEXT=/wps/wcm/connect/ncaa/NCAA/Sports+and+Championship/General+Information/championship+handbooks
NCAA Record Books: http://web1.ncaa.org/web_files/stats/SB_Records/2010/DivI.pdf
Pacific-10 Conference: www.Pac-10.org
National Professional Fastpitch League (NPF): www.profastpitch.com
International Softball Federation: www.internationalsoftball.com
USA Softball: www.USAsoftball.ccm
National Fastpitch Coaches Association: www.nfca.org
Ultimate Softball: www.ultimatesoftball.com
Season RPI Ratings: http://warrennolan.com/softballl

OREGON SOFTBALL MEDIA
Daily Emerald Student Newspaper: www.dailyemerald.com
Eugene Register Guard: www.registerguard.com
Oregonian: www.oregonlive.com
KEZI-TV (ABC): www.kezi.org
KMTR-TV (NBC): www.kmtr.org
KVAL-TV (CBS): www.kval.org
KUGN-590 AM (Radio): www.kugn.com
Duck News (Online): www.DuckNews.com

UNIVERSITY INFORMATION
Location: Eugene, Ore.
Enrollment: 20,394
President: Richard Lariviere
Athletics Director: Mike Bellotti
Senior Women’s Administrator: Renee Baumgartner
Colors / Nickname: Green and Yellow (Pantone 342 & Yellow)
Nickname: Ducks
Conference: Pacific-10
Home Field (Capacity): Howe Field (3,000)
Department Web site: www.GoDucks.com

OREGON SOFTBALL HISTORY
All-Time Softball Record: 877-810-1 (.520), 36 seasons (First Year, 1974)
Postseason Trips: 1976, 80, 89*, 90, 94, 98, 99, 2000, 03, 04, 05, 07, 08
Women’s College World Series Appearances*: 1989
All-Americans: 8

TEAM INFORMATION
Head Coach (Alma Mater): Mike White (Mount Mercy 1989)
Record at Oregon / Overall Record: First Season / First Season
Office Phone / FAX: 541-346-5305 / -2244
Assistant Coaches: Jessica Allister (Stanford ‘04), Lisa Dodd (UCLA ‘07)
Undergraduate Assistant Coach: Sari-Jane Jenkins (Oregon ‘10)
2009 Record / Conference Record (Place): 16-34 / 3-18 (8th)
Letterwinners Returning / Lost: 14 (5 Sr., 5 Jr., 4 So.) / 2
Position Starters Returning / Lost: 7 / 1 (OF)
Position Players Returning / Lost: 12 / 1 (OF)
Pitchers Returning / Lost: 3 / 1
Top 2010 Returnees (2009 Stats)
- Neena Bryant (Sr., OF, .314, 49 H, 8 HR, 28 RBI, 27 SB)
- Kelsey Chambers (So., IF, .225, 27 H, 7 2B, 5 HR, 21 RBI, .408 SLG)
- Lindsey Chambers (So., IF, 4 HR, 11 RBI)
- Monique Fuiava (Jr., 1B-DP, .225, 29 H, 8 HR, 19 RBI, .488 SLG, 19 BB)
- Ashley Kivett (Jr., C, 17 H, 2 HR, 13 RBI, 10 BB)
- Cortney Kivett (Jr., IF, .257, 39 H,11 SB)
- Carlyn Re (Sr., 1B, .220, 29 H, 1 HR, 11 RBI, 11 BB)
- Samantha Skillingstad (So., P, 2.36 ERA, 12-15, 4 SHO, 170 SO)
- Kaitlin Vitek (Jr., C, 10 H, 2 HR, 10 BB)
- Blair Williamson (Sr., OF, 14 H, 3 HR, 7 RBI, .342 SLG)

Key 2009 Losses (2009 Statistics)
- Sari-Jane Jenkins (OF, .292, 45 H, 6 HR, 17 RBI, 16 SB)
- Melissa Rice (P, 5.65, 0-6, 31 Inn., 19 SO)

Newcomers (4)
- Allie Burger, Fr., OF, Spokane Wash.
- Kaylan Howard, Fr., IF, Riverside, Calif.
- Jessica Moore, Fr., P, Sutter, Calif.
- Samantha Pappas, Fr., OF, Las Flores, Calif.

MEDIA SERVICES INFORMATION
Assistant Athletics Director, Media Services: Dave Williford
Assistant (Softball Contact): Geoff Thurner, (541) 346-2250
E-mail / Dept. Web site: gthurner@uoregon.edu / www.goducks.com
Mailing Address: 2727 Leo Harris Parkway, Eugene, Ore. 97401
Office Phone: 541/346-5488
Office FAX: 541/346-5449
Press Box Phone: 541-346-4497

RETURNING LETTERWINNERS (# of letters)
Hannah Barril: 3
Neena Bryant: 3
Carlyn Re: 3
Blair Williamson: 3
Monique Fuiava: 2
Ashley Kivett: 2
Cortney Kivett: 2
Brittany Rumfelt: 2
Kaitlin Vitek: 2
Kelsey Chambers: 1
Lindsey Chambers: 1
Shelley Deadmond: 1
Mikayla Endicott: 1
Samantha Skillingstad: 1

Letterwinners Lost (2)
Sari-Jane Jenkins: 4
Melissa Rice: 4

UNIVERSITY OF OREGON NUMERICAL ROSTER

# Name Pos. B/T Ht. Yr. Hometown (H.S./College)
00 Samantha Pappas OF L/R 5-10 Fr. Las Flores, Calif. (Tesoro)
1   Cortney Kivett IF L/R 5-3 Jr. Yucaipa, Calif. (Yucaipa)
2   Allie Burger OF L/R 5-3 Fr. Spokane, Wash. (Shadle Park)
3   Kaylan Howard 2B R/R 5-4 Fr. Riverside, Calif. (Riverside Poly)
4   Blair Williamson OF L/R 5-8 Sr. Salem, Ore. (Sprague)
5   Lindsey Chambers IF R/R 5-4 So. Concord, Calif. (Clayton Valley)
6   Neena Bryant OF R/R 5-6 Sr. Placentia, Calif. (El Dorado)
7   Samantha Skillingstad RHP R/R 5-10 So. Spokane, Wash. (Shadle Park)
8   Kelsey Chambers IF R/R 5-4 So. Concord, Calif. (Clayton Valley)
9   Mikayla Endicott RHP R/R 5-7 So. Roseburg, Ore. (Roseburg)
10 Hannah Barril IF L/R 5-1 Sr. Juneau, Alaska (Juneau Douglas)
11 Ashley Kivett C R/R 5-4 Jr. Yucaipa, Calif. (Yucaipa)
12 Jessica Moore RHP R/R 5-10 Fr. Sutter, Calif. (Sutter)
13 Kaitlin Vitek C R/R 5-8 Jr. Valencia, Calif. (William S. Hart)
15 Monique Fuiava 1B R/R 5-8 Jr. Las Vegas, Nev (Mojave)
24 Carlyn Re 1B L/L 5-6 Sr. Tualatin, Ore. (Tualatin)
25 Shelley Deadmond OF L/R 5-6 RSr. Chico, Calif. (Butte)
27 Jordan Reeves C R/R 5-8 So. Fairbanks, Alaska (Lathrop)
35 Brittany Rumfelt LHP L/L 5-8 Jr. Lakeport, Calif. (Clear Lake)

UNIVERSITY OF OREGON ALPHABETICAL ROSTER

# Name Pos. B/T Ht. Yr. Hometown (H.S./College)
10 Hannah Barril IF L/R 5-1 Sr. Juneau, Alaska (Juneau Douglas)
6   Neena Bryant OF R/R 5-6 Sr. Placentia, Calif. (El Dorado)
2   Allie Burger OF L/R 5-3 Fr. Spokane, Wash. (Shadle Park)
8   Kelsey Chambers IF R/R 5-4 So. Concord, Calif. (Clayton Valley)
5   Lindsey Chambers IF R/R 5-4 So. Concord, Calif. (Clayton Valley)
25 Shelley Deadmond OF L/R 5-6 RSr. Chico, Calif. (Butte)
9   Mikayla Endicott RHP R/R 5-7 So. Roseburg, Ore. (Roseburg)
15 Monique Fuiava 1B R/R 5-8 Jr. Las Vegas, Nev (Mojave)
3   Kaylan Howard 2B R/R 5-4 Fr. Riverside, Calif. (Riverside Poly)
11 Ashley Kivett C R/R 5-4 Jr. Yucaipa, Calif. (Yucaipa)
1   Cortney Kivett IF L/R 5-3 Jr. Yucaipa, Calif. (Yucaipa)
12 Jessica Moore RHP R/R 5-10 Fr. Sutter, Calif. (Sutter)
00 Samantha Pappas OF L/R 5-10 Fr. Las Flores, Calif. (Tesoro)
24 Carlyn Re 1B L/L 5-6 Sr. Tualatin, Ore. (Tualatin)
27 Jordan Reeves C R/R 5-8 So. Fairbanks, Alaska (Lathrop)
35 Brittany Rumfelt LHP L/L 5-8 Jr. Lakeport, Calif. (Clear Lake)
7   Samantha Skillingstad RHP R/R 5-10 So. Spokane, Wash. (Shadle Park)
4   Blair Williamson OF L/R 5-8 Sr. Salem, Ore. (Sprague)
13 Kaitlin Vitek C R/R 5-8 Jr. Valencia, Calif. (William S. Hart)

Head Coach: Mike White, 1st Season
Assistant Coaches: Jessica Allister (1st Season), Lisa Dodd (1st Season)
Undergraduate Assistant Coach: Sari-Jane Jenkins (1st Season)
Managers: Garrett Gilchrist, John Mitchell;
Athletic Trainers: Rachel Painter, Clay Jamieson

PRONUNCIATION GUIDE
Hannah Barril (buh-RIL); Mikayla Endicott (mih-KAY-lah IN-dih-cot), Monique Fuiava (foo-EE-ah-vah, Sari-Jane Jenkins (SARRY-Jane), Ashley & Courtney Kivett (KIHV-et), Samantha Skillingstad (SKILL-ing-stad), Kaitlin Vitek (VEE-tek)

SQUAD BREAKDOWN

BY CLASS
Seniors: 5
Juniors: 5
Sophomores: 5
Freshmen: 4