Hawkins Rolls in Win Over Illinois State

KISSIMMEE, Fla. – Sophomore pitcher Cheridan Hawkins rung up 16 batters for the second day in a row to guide the No. 4 ranked Oregon softball team past Illinois State, 2-0, Sunday afternoon at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.

Karine Shaver went 2-for-2 on the day with a RBI while Janelle Lindvall went 1-for-2 with a walk.

The Ducks wrapped up their stay at the Diamond 9 Citrus Classic with a 4-1 mark, dropping their only game to top-ranked Florida in eight innings, 2-1.

It was a stalemate between Oregon (18-2) and Illinois State (6-13) until the bottom of the fourth.

Alexa Peterson led off for the Ducks with a deep double to right center that nearly went over the fence. After a Lindvall single that put runners on the corners, Kailee Cuico smacked a sharp grounder to the second baseman that scored Peterson.

Stevie Jo Knapp drew a two-out walk before Shaver hit a 2-2 pitch into right to score Lexi Beaudrie-Pierson from third, who had pinch ran for Lindvall.

Hawkins struck out 10-straight batters before Sara Bradley flied out of left to open the top of the fifth. The lefty pitched her eighth complete game and her sixth shutout of the season in the win.

The Ducks will have a week off before heading to the Rainbow Wahine Classic from March 12-15 in Honolulu, Hawaii.