The 2020 Pacific softball season got underway with a doubleheader against nationally-ranked Oregon Tech on Saturday in Medford. The host Lady Owls managed to sweep the Boxers, winning 6-2 and 4-0 in the twinbill.
Pacific (0-2) found itself behind early in both games on the day as OIT took command of the contests in the circle.
In game one, the Boxers had four hits including two from junior catcher
Montana Vaught, who also had both RBIs in the loss. Pacific was limited to just one hit through the first five innings of play.
Following a two-run second inning, the Lady Owls managed to plate four in the fourth for the final margin. OIT starter Sarah Abramson limited the Boxers to four hits en route to the win, striking out four and walking five. Neenah Pangilinan and Aubrie Basinger each had two hits and Maddie Deverna had a pair of RBI for OIT.
Trailing 6-0 in the seventh, the Boxers managed to load the bases against Abramson, who had limited the Boxers to just two hits through the first six innings. With two out, Vaught ripped a double to the gap in left center but a chance for a third run ended as
Kiana Kushiyama attempted to score from first on the hit as the out ended the game.
The nightcap saw Oregon Tech post a 4-0 victory as Pangilinan accounted for two runs and three hits to lead the Owls to the win. The Boxers were limited to three hits by OIT starter Emily McAdams, who struck out eight. McAdams struck out five of the first six batters she faced en route to the win.
Pangilinan got the Owls on the board in the first inning with a solo home run just over the center field fence.
Pacific mounted a threat in the third inning when
Taylor Nishimura and
Michelle Winfield singled to put runners on first and second, respectively. Then, following a ground out and a strike out, the Boxers had runners on second and third before McAdams registered a strikeout to end the threat.
Clinging to a one-run lead, the Owls plated three runs on three hits in the fifth inning en route to the win despite a late threat in the seventh by the Boxers. Pacific got a pair of two out singles before a fly out ended the game.
Next, Pacific will host Warner Pacific in a doubleheader on Saturday at Sherman-Larkins Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for noon.
