TUCSON, Ariz. – Oregon couldn’t stop the tandem of Caitlin Lowe and Kristie Fox, suffering a 9-1 loss to the third-ranked Wildcats on Sunday afternoon at Hillenbrand Stadium.

The No. 14 Ducks fall to 38-11 on the year and 3-8 in the Pacific-10 Conference, while the defending national champions improve to 34-9 and 10-2 in the Pac-10.

Lowe was once again was a nemesis for Oregon, going 2-for-3 from the plate with two stolen bases, two runs scored and a walk. Fox, the third hitter in the lineup, benefited from Lowe’s ability to get on base, going 2-for-3 on the day with a three-run homer and four RBIs.

Sophomore pitcher Melissa Rice (20-9) took the loss in her sixth consecutive start in the circle with junior Alicia Cook still out due to illness.

Arizona ended the game in the bottom of the sixth scoring three runs. 

The Ducks got their second straight look at Taryne Mowatt (26-7). The junior also made her third start of the weekend, after pitching against Oregon State on Friday and the Ducks on Saturday. Mowatt allowed just one run on four hits, striking out nine.

Lowe led off the first with an infield single, used her speed to steal second and moved to third on a throwing error. Chelsie Mesa was walked to leave runners on the corners and no outs for Fox, whose infield Single brought in Lowe from third. Janae Leles then produced a two-run, bases-clearing double off the wall in right center giving the Wildcats a three-run advantage after one.

Once again Oregon couldn’t capitalize on its opportunities, stranding six runners on base.

In the second it looked as if junior leftfielder Lovena Chaput would have her second home run in as many days, but Lowe was able to make the grab against the wall in left center.

In the bottom of the second Lowe started a two-out rally for Arizona, reaching on an infield single and stealing her second base of the day. Rice walked Mesa, leaving two runners on for Fox. With one RBI already under her belt, Fox added three more with a three-run homer over the left field wall and giving the Wildcats a 6-0 advantage.

The Ducks put their first run of the game on the scoreboard in the third, when senior Suzie Barnes singled to shallow center field. The quickest player on the team got around the bases and scored her 54^th run of the season on sophomore Sari-Jane Jenkins’ line-drive double down the left field line. Jenkins now has 16 doubles in 2007, tying Katie Mackey (1999) for second in Oregon single-season history.

Mowatt got out of trouble in the inning by walking freshman Jenn Salling, Oregon’s RBI leader for the sixth time in two games, and retiring the next two batters. Salling was walked in all but one of her trips to the plate in two games against Arizona – she singled to lead off the sixth. She now has 34 walks, the third best mark in Oregon single-season history.

Barnes led the Ducks in a 2-for-3 performance.

Oregon has a mid-week game at Oregon State on Wednesday, scheduled for a 4 p.m. first pitch in Corvallis. The winner of Wednesday’s game not only takes the series, but clinches the NW Dodge Dealers Civil War cup for their respective school.

The Ducks remain on the road traveling to UCLA on Fri., April 27 for a 1 p.m. start. Oregon then will move on to finish it series with Washington in Seattle. A 2 p.m. first pitch is scheduled for Sat., April 28 followed by a 1 p.m. start time for Sun., April 29.

The Ducks will not return to Howe until a 4 p.m. game scheduled for Fri., May 4 against Arizona.