When Staci Chambers, the redshirt senior from Oregon, stepped into last night’s Eugene regional championship match against Stanford, her last appearance where she pitched over four innings had been back on February 8 during the game against UNLV.

Yet, on Sunday evening, as the lights reached their peak intensity and tension filled the atmosphere, Chambers steadied himself and delivered four innings without allowing any runs for the Ducks.

After starting pitcher Lyndsey Grien surrendered a first-inning grand slam to Cardinal rookie Joie Economides, Chambers faced the crucial game. In the third inning, Economides added more damage against Grien, hitting another homer for three runs.


After Sophomore Kaydence Economidies hit her second home run, Oregon’s head coach Melyssa Lombardi headed to the bullpen much to the astonishment of numerous softball enthusiasts who expected redshirt junior Elise Sokolsky to come in as the initial reliever. Instead, Lombardi passed the baton to Chambers. Entering the contest with an earned-run average (ERA) of 5.09, Chambers found herself taking control of the mound during the third inning when her squad was trailing by four runs at 7-3.

Interestingly, in the matchup Chambers faced her former pitching coach Danielle O’Toole-Trejo, who now holds the same position with the Cardinal. However, the Cal State Fullerton transfer was calm and ready for the moment.


After the match, Chambers stated, ‘My aim was simply to get the squad into a position where we could secure victory,’ adding that everything seemed to be hampering their progress. Despite the game being fast-paced with intense energy, I had to take actions contrary to this momentum so as to set up our team for success.

Chambers offered the stability the Ducks required. In 4.1 innings pitched, she allowed only two hits and tallied two strikeouts. During what might have been the most crucial juncture of her Ducks tenure, Chambers fanned the last batter of the third inning and managed to limit the damage when opponents had runners at the corners.

As Oregon prepares to host the Super Regional starting on Friday, May 23, the Ducks plan to utilize their complete coaching team and pitching lineup, with Chambers being part of it. She has shown during last weekend’s games that she is composed and prepared for crucial situations.


More news: Ashley Chastain, UCLA vs South Carolina, Can She Do It?


More news: Oklahoma State Softball Player Issues Statement After Season-Ending Loss in Regional Final


More updates: LSU Softball’s Beth Torina Is Set to Return for an Additional Season, Reports Indicate

The article was initially posted on

www.si.com/onsi/softball

as

Chambers’ Outstanding Performance in the Circle Secures Oregon’s First Super Regional Spot Since 2023

.