EUGENE, Ore. -- The top-ranked Ducks scored nine runs in a big second inning before Stevie Jo Knapp's three-run homer in the sixth finished off No. 3 ranked Arizona State 12-2 in six innings on Saturday afternoon at Howe Field.
Oregon has now run-ruled three top-5 opponents this year, also winning via the mercy run against then-No. 5 ranked Washington 8-0 and then-No. 1 ranked UCLA 12-4.
The Ducks (47-6, 18-2 Pac-12) posted 12 runs on 11 hits with no errors while the Sun Devils (43-8, 14-5) tallied two runs on just three hits with no errors.
Oregon's 12 runs were the second most ever scored the Ducks against the Sun Devils in 89 all-time meetings as the Sun Devils were run-ruled for the first time by any foe since 2010.
Karissa Hovinga (15-1) picked up the win for the Ducks after allowing only two unearned runs on three hits and a walk in six innings. She struck out five batters and threw just 69 pitches.
“Karissa pitched probably the best game I’ve seen her throw and it came against an excellent hitting club," head coach Mike White said. "That was really the catalyst for us right there.”
Hovinga has pitched well against top-tier competition this season. The junior with Canadian national team experience allowed just one run on six hits in five innings against then-No. 1 ranked Florida and also allowed just one run in starts against Stanford and then-No. 5 ranked Washington in league play.
Oregon's offense made sure Hovinga didn't need to be quite that sharp against the Sun Devils.
After a scoreless first inning, the Ducks erupted for nine runs on eight hits in a big second inning. The Ducks have had innings of nine runs (ASU), 11 runs (Oregon State) and 15 runs (California) against Pac-12 teams this year.
