The No. 3 Oregon softball team (31-4, 7-0 Pac-12) takes on No.1-ranked UCLA (32-3, 7-2) in the second game of the three-game series on Saturday, April 5. The Ducks are looking to hold onto a tight first-place conference lead over the second-place Bruins. On Friday, April 4, the Ducks beat the Bruins 9-7 in a heated game full of tons of hits and runs. The last time the Ducks won over a top-ranked team was on April 21, 2012. Oregon is now 3-8 against No. 1 ranked teams in more than four seasons under head coach Mike White.
Oregon players stand waiting and cheering for Oregon senior Kailee Cuico (33) after hitting a home run. The Oregon Ducks play the UCLA Bruins at Howe Field in Eugene, Ore., on April 5, 2014. (Taylor Wilder/Emerald)
Oregon junior outfielder Janie Takeda (19) runs back and forth from third base to home plate trying to evade UCLA junior utility player Stephany LaRosa (11) in the bottom of the second inning. The Oregon Ducks play the UCLA Bruins at Howe Field on Saturday, April 5, 2014. (Ryan Kang/Emerald)
Oregon senior catcher Alexa Peterson (14) tries to talk to UCLA junior Stephany LaRosa (11) after knocking her over to take first base in the bottom of the first inning. The Oregon Ducks play the UCLA Bruins at Howe Field on Saturday, April 5, 2014. (Ryan Kang/Emerald)
Three Oregon outfielders celebrate the fly ball catch by outfielder Alyssa Gillespie (9), right, during the top of the third inning. The Oregon Ducks play the UCLA Bruins at Howe Field in Eugene, Ore., on April 5, 2014. (Taylor Wilder/Emerald)
UCLA senior left-handed pitcher Jessica Hall (15) pitches the ball in the bottom of the first inning. The Oregon Ducks play the UCLA Bruins at Howe Field on Saturday, April 5, 2014. (Ryan Kang/Emerald)
Oregon catcher Janelle Lindvall (26) smacks the ball toward center field at the bottom of the fourth inning. The Oregon Ducks play the UCLA Bruins at Howe Field in Eugene, Ore., on April 5, 2014. (Taylor Wilder/Emerald)
UCLA junior Ally Carda (3) watches out for Oregon senior infielder Courtney Ceo (22) as she tries to steal home in the top of the second inning. The Oregon Ducks play the UCLA Bruins at Howe Field on Saturday, April 5, 2014. (Ryan Kang/Emerald)
UCLA outfielder Allexis Bennett closes her eyes and runs toward first base before being outed during the top of the four inning. The Oregon Ducks play the UCLA Bruins at Howe Field in Eugene, Ore., on April 5, 2014. (Taylor Wilder/Emerald)
UCLA sophomore infielder Mysha Sataraka (14) looks to throw the ball to first base to get an Oregon player out in the top of the second inning. The Oregon Ducks play the UCLA Bruins at Howe Field on Saturday, April 5, 2014. (Ryan Kang/Emerald)
UCLA sophomore Allexis Bennett (48) jumps onto the fence in attempt to catch Oregon senior Kailee Cuico’s (33) grand slam. The Oregon Ducks play the UCLA Bruins at Howe Field in Eugene, Ore., on April 5, 2014. (Taylor Wilder/Emerald)
UCLA freshman Gabrielle Maurice (4) catches the fly ball at the top of the second inning resulting in an out for Oregon in the bottom of the second inning. The Oregon Ducks play the UCLA Bruins at Howe Field on Saturday, April 5, 2014. (Ryan Kang/Emerald)
Oregon junior right-handed pitcher Karissa Hovinga (10) pitches the softball as the rain starts to come down at Howe Field in the top of the third inning. The Oregon Ducks play the UCLA Bruins at Howe Field on Saturday, April 5, 2014. (Ryan Kang/Emerald)
UCLA infielder Mysha Sataraka (14) chucks the ball toward first base in attempt to out an Oregon player during the top of the third inning. The Oregon Ducks play the UCLA Bruins at Howe Field in Eugene, Ore., on April 5, 2014. (Taylor Wilder/Emerald)
Ducks stand together on the pitcher’s mount prior to the start of the bottom of the fifth inning. The Oregon Ducks play the UCLA Bruins at Howe Field in Eugene, Ore., on April 5, 2014. (Taylor Wilder/Emerald)