The No. 1 ranked Oregon Ducks softball team (40-5, 14-1 Pac-12) hosts the Portland State Vikings (7-31) in a nonconference game at Howe Field in Eugene, Ore., on April 22, 2014. The Ducks swept the California Bears three-game series over the weekend and have scored 69 runs over the last six games. With Oregon being 10-1 at home and Portland State having a 1-12 record on the road, the ducks are looking to hold on to their No. 1 ranking after playing the Vikings.
Next for the Ducks is an away game against Stanford University at 7 p.m. on Friday, April 25.
Oregon outfielder Janie Takeda (19) slides into second base as Portland State infielder Alicia Fine (11) missed the throw from a fellow teammate during the bottom of the second inning. The No. 1 ranked Oregon Ducks play the Portland State Vikings at Howe Field in Eugene, Ore., on April 22, 2014. (Taylor Wilder/Emerald)
Oregon outfielder Janie Takda (19) looks toward the infield prior to throwing the ball during the top of the fifth inning. The No. 1 ranked Oregon Ducks play the Portland State Vikings at Howe Field in Eugene, Ore., on April 22, 2014. (Taylor Wilder/Emerald)
Portland State infielder Crysta Conn (24) looks up toward the fly ball she hits during the top of the second inning. The No. 1 ranked Oregon Ducks play the Portland State Vikings at Howe Field in Eugene, Ore., on April 22, 2014. (Taylor Wilder/Emerald)
Oregon utility player Kailee Cuico (33) swings at the ball during the bottom of the third inning. The No. 1 ranked Oregon Ducks play the Portland State Vikings at Howe Field in Eugene, Ore., on April 22, 2014. (Taylor Wilder/Emerald)
Portland State left-handed pitcher Meagan Hendrix (18) pitches the ball to an Oregon hitter during the bottom of the second inning. The No. 1 ranked Oregon Ducks play the Portland State Vikings at Howe Field in Eugene, Ore., on April 22, 2014. (Taylor Wilder/Emerald)
Oregon shortstop Nikki Udria (3) misses the grounder during the top of the sixth inning. The No. 1 ranked Oregon Ducks play the Portland State Vikings at Howe Field in Eugene, Ore., on April 22, 2014. (Taylor Wilder/Emerald)
Portland State outfielder Candice Orozco (23) slams against the fence after Oregon hitter Alexa Peterson (14) hits her seventh grand slam during the bottom of the sixth inning. The No. 1 ranked Oregon Ducks play the Portland State Vikings at Howe Field in Eugene, Ore., on April 22, 2014. (Taylor Wilder/Emerald)
Oregon catcher Alexa Peterson (14) holds up the “O” sign while running the bases after hitting her seventh grand slam during the bottom of the sixth inning. The No. 1 ranked Oregon Ducks play the Portland State Vikings at Howe Field in Eugene, Ore., on April 22, 2014. (Taylor Wilder/Emerald)
Portland State outfielder Brianna Celaya (3) chucks the ball toward the infield during the bottom of the third inning. The No. 1 ranked Oregon Ducks play the Portland State Vikings at Howe Field in Eugene, Ore., on April 22, 2014. (Taylor Wilder/Emerald)
Oregon right-handed pitcher Jasmine Smithson-Willett (16) winds up to pitch the ball during the top of the fourth inning. The No. 1 ranked Oregon Ducks play the Portland State Vikings at Howe Field in Eugene, Ore., on April 22, 2014. (Taylor Wilder/Emerald)
Portland State outfielder Candice Orozco (23) catches the fly ball in mid air during the bottom of the fifth inning. The No. 1 ranked Oregon Ducks play the Portland State Vikings at Howe Field in Eugene, Ore., on April 22, 2014. (Taylor Wilder/Emerald)
Several Vikings meet on the pitcher’s mount prior to the start of the game. The No. 1 ranked Oregon Ducks play the Portland State Vikings at Howe Field in Eugene, Ore., on April 22, 2014. (Taylor Wilder/Emerald)