Ducks Extend Streak to 10

SAN DIEGO, Calif. -- University of Oregon senior Ann Marie Topps hit a two-run home run with two outs in the top of the third inning while Suzie Barnes and Sari-Jane Jenkins each scored runs with two outs in the fourth to lead the 25th-ranked Ducks to a 7-4 win over the University of San Diego Thursday afternoon at the USD Softball Complex.

Topps, who began the week tied for the Pacific-10 Conference lead in home runs, smacked her sixth round-tripper of the season over the center field fence to drive in Jennifer Salling, who opened the inning with a single. Topps’ home run eclipsed her previous career total of five home runs accumulated over her first three years.

The win extended the Oregon women’s winning streak to 10 games and improved their record to 10-1.

The Ducks added two insurance runs in the top of the fourth, with senior Suzie Barnes igniting the two-out rally when she was hit by Katie Nelson’s pitch. Barnes advanced to second on a passed ball before scoring on a double by Jenkins. Salling then singled to right field to score Jenkins.

Elmira junior Alicia Cook picked up her sixth-straight win despite watching her string of consecutive innings pitched without giving up an earned run end at 29.0. Cook gave up eight hits and four earned runs over seven innings while striking out two batters and walking three.

She improved her record to 6-1 despite allowing two baserunners aboard in the bottom of the seventh inning before forcing the potential tying run, Kathleen Bonja, to ground out to Salling at shortstop to end the game.

Nelson dropped to 0-2 for the Toreros, who fell to 2-3.

Jenkins, Salling and Kristi Leiter each finished the game with two hits for the Ducks while Barnes and Salling each scored twice.

Oregon returns to action Friday in the six-team Aztec Invitational at San Diego State, facing Siena at 11:30 a.m. and Long Beach State at 7 p.m.