The third-seeded Oregon Ducks got a run in the third inning and three in the sixth to take game one of the Eugene Super Regional, shutting out the No. 14 Kentucky Wildcats, 4-0 at Jane Sanders Stadium.
Meagan Prince was solid all day in the circle for the Wildcats, only allowing five hits to the potent Oregon offense, but the UK offense only was able to manage three hits of its own off Megan Kleist – who got a complete-game shutout in the circle for the Ducks.
Game two of the Eugene Super Regional will be on Saturday night at 7 p.m. ET and shown live on ESPN2 with Trey Bender and Danielle Lawrie on the call. Kentucky must win to force an if-necessary game on Sunday afternoon for a spot in the 2017 Women’s College World Series.
Key Stat
Three. Oregon scored three key runs in the bottom of the sixth inning without a hit – as the Ducks went from going into the seventh just up a run, to having a 4-0 lead.
Key Play
With two outs in the bottom of the third inning in a scoreless game, Oregon left fielder Alexis Mack had a bunt single to start the game-winning rally. Abbey Cheek made an incredibly athletic play on the ball that was equidistant between the circle and home plate – but Mack’s speed was too much to overcome.
Key Player
Jenny Schaper was the key player in the game for Kentucky, roping a two-out double to the wall in right center field with two outs in the Kentucky second inning. Schaper was left stranded at second on a strikeout to cap off the inning.
Run Recap
Alexis Mack had a bunt single with two outs and then stole second to put herself in scoring position for catcher Gwen Svekis. Svekis then roped a single to right center, to score Mack and give Oregon a 1-0 lead in the third inning. ORE 1, UK 0
Oregon loaded the bases with nobody out in the bottom of the sixth on two walks and a hit batsman. The Ducks got RBI groundouts by Mia Camuso and Madi Bishop to score two runs – and then UK committed an error on the left side to bring in a third run in the inning without a hit. FINAL – (3) Oregon 4, (14) Kentucky 0
For the latest on the Kentucky softball team, follow @UKSoftball on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, as well as on the web at UKathletics.com.
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For more information contact:
Chris Shoals