March 23, 2008
Pocatello, ID --- Idaho State University was swept by the Oregon Ducks 8-0 and 2-0 on the final day of the Oregon Spring Fling, getting no-hit in five innings in game one, and dropping a close second game after a stellar pitching performance by freshman Natasha Milosevich.
In game one, Melissa Rice and Brittany Rumfelt combined on a five-inning no-hitter in game one. Rice pitched the first four innings, and only a 2-2 pitch that hit Christine Shollenberger kept Oregon from a perfect game. Rumfelt pitched the final inning.
Oregon got all the runs they would need in the first inning, when Neena Bryant hit a two-run shot to left for a 2-0 lead. Oregon added four more in the third, all off starter Kandis Clesson (0-2), making just her second start of the season. The rally started with two out and no one on when Clesson walked two straight hitters. A single by Monique Fuiava plated one to make it 3-0, and then Joanna Gail hit a three-run home run to left field to make it 6-0.
Oregon ended the game in the fifth by tacking on a pair of runs to make it 8-0 and end the game. Clesson allowed just seven hits and walked four, but the two home runs were her undoing. For the Ducks, Rice pitched the first four innings and struck out six, while Rumfelt pitched just the one inning, coaxed three infield ground outs.
In game two, Idaho State managed just one hit, that a leadoff single by Megan Miller, ISU's leading hitter. However, she was erased on a strike `em out-throw `em out double play to end the first inning. Bengal freshman Natasha Milosevich (1-7) kept the Bengals in the game, dancing in and out of trouble throughout the game.
In the first, she retired Gail with the bases loaded, as the Ducks would strand 12 on the afternoon in game two. After escaping another jam in the second, the Ducks finally pushed ahead a pair of runs in the third inning. Fuiava doubled home Bryant with one out for the first run of the game, and Gail singled Bryant home, but Milosevich escaped further damage by getting a pair of pop ups with runners on.
Idaho State was never able to solve Alicia Cook, never got past first base. Emily Hu walked, Ivy Sessions was hit by a pitch, and Merissa Janssen reached on an error, but all were in separate innings. Oregon improved to 23-11 with the sweep, while the Bengals dropped to 1-18 on the season. ISU's next outing is on Saturday at 1:00 pm at the College of Idaho, and then on Sunday, they will host Eastern Oregon in Boise starting at noon.
