Oregon Ducks Comeback To Defeat Kentucky, Advance To Women’s College World Series
Mike White and the Oregon Ducks battled back to defeat Kentucky and move onto the Women’s College World Series on Saturday night.
The Oregon Ducks started the game at the plate and got off to a fast start on the basepads with Danica Mercado starting with a single, Alexis Mack moving her to second and a walk by Gwen Svekis. Erin Ruthlake got the start for Kentucky after Meagan Prince was announced as the Starter before the game.
Oregon went with Maggie Balint in the circle and Kentucky got out of the top of the first without the Ducks scoring a run.
More from Autzen Zoo
- Oregon football: Ducks and Coach Prime playing it cordial leading up to Saturday
- Oregon Basketball: Non-conference slate features Michigan coming to Eugene
- Oregon football: Ducks find complete game effort in win vs Hawaii
- Oregon Ducks must get run game going against Hawaii
- 8 Pac-12 teams represented in Associated Press Top 25 after Week 2
The Ducks Mia Camuso made the first out on a diving catch toward home plate for the first out of the inning on Kentucky Catcher Jenny Schaper. The Wildcats scored the first run on a misplayed ball by Alexis Mack in Left Field. Kentucky had to play better than they did on Friday, and they looked more focused to start the game Saturday.
Alex Martens hit a ball to right-center field for a double scoring another run for the Wildcats. Balint forced two pop ups to end the inning with Kentucky leading 2-0.
Oregon got it going again in the top of the third with Alexis Mack and Gwen Svekis starting the inning with base hits, but Nikki Udria hit into a double play to end the inning.
Balint gave up a solo homerun in the bottom of the fourth and the Wildcats extended their lead to 3-0 before getting out of the inning.
The Oregon Ducks scored two runs in the inning, the first off an illegal pitch from Kentucky Pitcher Meagan Prince. They would plate two runs in the inning. Maggie Balint was relieved by Miranda Elish in the fifth. She got out of the inning without allowing a run.
It was a seventh inning to remember. #GoDucks #RoadtoWCWS pic.twitter.com/FWluqLNUiN
— Oregon Softball (@OregonSB) May 28, 2017
Elish would not get out of the sixth unscathed. Kentucky loaded the bases and Erin Rethlake hit a seeing eye single past Mia Camuso scoring two runs to make it 5-2 Wildcats with two outs. Miranda Elish recorded a strikeout to end the inning.
The Ducks had their backs against the wall with three outs left in the top of the seventh. Mia Camuso paved the way for a four run comeback and win for the Oregon Ducks, 6-5. The Ducks did all of their damage on singles for the entire game and return to the Women’s College World Series for the fourth time in six years.
Next: Chip Kelly Shifts From Coach To Analyst, Signs With ESPN
Their first opponent will be familiar. They will face either Washington or Utah. The Huskies and Utes will play the deciding game of their series on Sunday.