University of Oregon
11-0
Montana
4-6
Elish Leads Ducks Past Montana
02/24/17 | Softball
FRESHMAN ELISH TOSSED 6.1 SHUTOUT INNINGS AND MIA CAMUSO DROVE IN OREGON'S LONE RUN TO LIFT THE DUCKS PAST MONTANA, 1-0, AND IMPROVE TO 11-0
HONOLULU - The No. 5 ranked Oregon softball team rode the arm of freshman Miranda Elish to a 1-0 win over Montana in the first game of a doubleheader on Friday in the Bank of Hawaii Invitational at Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium.
The Ducks (11-0) remain unbeaten to start their 2017 season and improved to 2-0 so far in the tournament. Oregon will face UNLV in the second game of Friday's doubleheader.
How it Happened: It was a pitchers' duel from the start of the game on both sides, as Elish (2-0) and Montana's Colleen Driscoll (1-3) each breezed through the first three innings while allowing only three hits combined.
Oregon was able to break through against Driscoll in the bottom of the fourth, with freshman Mia Camuso picking up an RBI single to give the Ducks a 1-0 lead. Gwen Svekis reached base with a two-out single and, after a hit-by-pitch, Camuso scored her with a base hit to left.
That was all the run support the Ducks would need, as Elish cruised through five innings allowing only one hit and retiring 14 straight at one point. The Grizzlies (4-6) threatened in the top of the sixth after a leadoff double, but Elish regrouped to get the next three hitters in order, including a pair of strikeouts, to strand the runner at second.
Montana put the tying run in scoring position in the seventh with a one-out double, prompting head coach Mike White to turn to freshman Maggie Balint to try and close the door. Balint sealed the Ducks' win with authority, striking out both hitters she faced for her second save of the year.
In the Circle: Elish tossed 6.1 scoreless innings to earn her second win, allowing only three hits while striking out eight without surrendering a walk. Balint got the save after earning the win in Thursday's 8-2 win over Hawai'i.
At the Plate: Camuso drove in the Ducks' lone run of the game while going 1-for-3, and Svekis led Oregon with a 2-for-3 day and a run scored. Nikki Udria and Danica Mercado also added singles for the Ducks.
Up Next: The Ducks will have a short break before facing UNLV (7-2) at approximately 6 p.m. PT.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Elish, Miranda (2-0)
L: Driscoll, Colleen (1-3)
S: Balint, Maggie (2)
Batting:
2B: Olea, Bethany 1 ; Wardlow, Alex 1
Batting:
RBI: Camuso, Mia 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Svekis, Gwen 1
CS: Mercado, Danica 1
HBP: Udria, Nikki 1
