May 15, 2003

Box Score

FULLERTON, Calif. - Oregon senior Andrea Vidlund hit a three run home run - her 13th of the season - to lead the No. 3 seed Oregon softball team to a 10-8 victory over No. 6 seed Penn State in the Ducks' first game of the NCAA Regionals in Fullerton, Calif., Thursday afternoon.

Vidlund (Fair Oaks, Calif.) also picked up her ninth save of the season -- adding to the school and Pac-10 record she already owns -- while junior Anissa Meashintubby picked up the win to improve to 7-4 this season.

"I'm really pleased. This is a big win for us," Oregon head coach Kathy Arendsen said. "This team hasn't been here in three years, but this is the same type of game we've been playing all season. We like them close."

The Ducks tied a season-high with 13 hits, including two doubles, a triple and a home run. Oregon was led by senior Amber Hutchison (3-for-4; double, RBI), senior Janell Bergstrom (2-for-3; Run; 2 RBI), junior Jenn Poore (2-for-3; triple; RBI; run) and Vidlund (2-for-4; 4 RBI; two runs).

"It was an inside pitch about belt-high," Vidlund said of her 34th career round-tripper that left her one shy of Triawn Custer's all-time UO record. "I was expecting a change up and actually this was perfect. I was thinking base hit or line drive and came out with a home run. Even better."

Penn State's offense attacked first, as the Nittany Lions scored two runs on two doubles, a single and an Oregon error in the top of the second inning. Penn State right fielder Leigh Murray led off the inning with a double and was then replaced for pinch runner Steph Viola, who advanced to third on a bunt single by left fielder Megan Humphrey. Humphrey stole second on the next pitch and both runners scored on catcher Erica Greenberg's double to deep left field. Meashintubby then came in for freshman Amy Harris and forced to Penn State groundouts to end the inning.

Oregon immediately responded in the bottom of the inning when Poore hit her first triple of the season to score senior Alyssa Laux, who had singled with one out in the inning. Poore scored the Ducks' tying run on an RBI single by Bergstrom.

After Penn State loaded the bases with no outs in the fifth inning, Meashintubby struck out two consecutive batters before Humphrey drove in lead off hitter Gina Bianchini with a single to right field. Penn State shortstop Mandy Nuxoll also scored on the play to give the Nittany Lions the lead again, 4-2.

Vidlund's fifth inning home run gave the Ducks the lead back and Oregon scored five runs on five hits in the sixth inning to go ahead 10-4. Penn State fought back, scoring four runs in the seventh to pull within a run.

The Ducks face the winner of the Oklahoma State/Boston University game Friday at 2 p.m.

Penn State 020 020 4 - 9 12 4
Oregon 020 035 x -10 13 4
Win: Meashintubby (7-4); Loss: Hanson (13-10); Save: Vidlund (9)
2B: Galigher (10); Murray (6); Hutchison (1); Goodell (2)
3B: Poore (1)
HR: Vidlund (13)