Iowa Drops Series Finale to No. 18 Oregon

EUGENE, Ore. — The University of Iowa softball team fell to No. 18 Oregon, 6-2, in the series finale Sunday afternoon at Jane Sanders Stadium.

The Ducks scored first, bringing home a run on a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the first inning.

In the fourth, Tory Bennett robbed a would-be leadoff home run, but Oregon responded with a one-out, two-run homer to extend its lead.

Iowa answered in the fifth. Mariah Myers and Phoenyx Silva advanced into scoring position with one out before McKenzie Leitgen drove in Myers with a single to center field. Echo Mattiello entered as a pinch runner for Silva and later scored on an Avery Jackson sacrifice fly, cutting the deficit to 3-2.

Oregon pulled away in the sixth inning. The Ducks opened the frame with a triple and scored on a throwing error. Two additional runs crossed the plate on a fielder’s choice and a single, pushing the lead to 6-2.

The Hawkeyes return home Wednesday to Bob Pearl Field for the Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series against Iowa State. First pitch is set for 5 p.m. CT.