A week after sweeping then No. 5 Washington for the first time in its history, the No. 3 Oregon softball team (30-4, 6-0 Pac-12) takes on No.1-ranked UCLA (32-2, 7-1) for a three-game series starting Friday. Cheridan Hawkins (0.98 ERA) will take the hill for the Ducks as they look to hold onto a tight first place conference lead over the second-place Bruins. Courtney Ceo, Kailee Cuico and Alexa Peterson will look to maintain their hot bats for Oregon, as well, as they take on Ally Carda (0.79 ERA).
Oregon catcher Janelle Lindvall (26) runs toward home base after hitting a home run during the bottom of the fourth inning. The Oregon Ducks play the UCLA Bruins at Howe Field on Friday, April 4, 2014. (Taylor Wilder/Emerald)
UCLA infielder Gabrielle Maurice (4) runs toward first base after bunting the ball at the top of the second inning. The Oregon Ducks play the UCLA Bruins at Howe Field on Friday, April 4, 2014. (Taylor Wilder/Emerald)
UCLA infielder Gracie Goulder (33) backs up toward second base in attempt to out Oregon outfielder Alyssa Lewis (15) at the bottom of the sixth inning. The Oregon Ducks play the UCLA Bruins at Howe Field on Friday, April 4, 2014. (Taylor Wilder/Emerald)
Oregon left-handed pitcher Cheridan Hawkins (11) throws the ball toward first base to out a UCLA player during the top of the second inning. The Oregon Ducks play the UCLA Bruins at Howe Field on Friday, April 4, 2014. (Taylor Wilder/Emerald)
UCLA outfielder Allexis Bennett (48) winds up before launching the ball towards the infield during the bottom of the sixth inning. The Oregon Ducks play the UCLA Bruins at Howe Field on Friday, April 4, 2014. (Taylor Wilder/Emerald)
UCLA pitcher Sam Duran (28) warms up her arm during the sixth inning. The Oregon Ducks play the UCLA Bruins at Howe Field on Friday, April 4, 2014. (Taylor Wilder/Emerald)
Oregon left-handed pitcher Cheridan Hawkins (11) pitches the softball to a UCLA player at bat during the top of the third inning. The Oregon Ducks play the UCLA Bruins at Howe Field on Friday, April 4, 2014. (Taylor Wilder/Emerald)
UCLA catcher Jazmine Sosa (12) throws the ball toward first base in attempt to out a second Duck during the bottom of the fifth inning. The Oregon Ducks play the UCLA Bruins at Howe Field on Friday, April 4, 2014. (Taylor Wilder/Emerald)
Oregon infielder Nikki Udria (3) attempts to tag UCLA outfielder Allexis Bennett (48) before the ball slips out of her glove at the top of the third inning. The Oregon Ducks play the UCLA Bruins at Howe Field on Friday, April 4, 2014. (Taylor Wilder/Emerald)
Three UCLA outfielders chat prior to the start of the bottom of the fifth inning. The Oregon Ducks play the UCLA Bruins at Howe Field on Friday, April 4, 2014. (Taylor Wilder/Emerald)
UCLA right-handed pitcher Ally Carda (3) looks toward the ball while mid swing at the top of the fourth inning. The Oregon Ducks play the UCLA Bruins at Howe Field on Friday, April 4, 2014. (Taylor Wilder/Emerald)