The third-seeded Oregon Ducks took advantage of an uncharacteristicly bad inning in the top of the seventh inning, scoring four times off four hits to come from behind and end the No. 14 Kentucky Wildcats’ season at Jane Sanders Stadium, 6-5 in the second game of the 2017 Eugene Super Regional.
The Wildcats end the season with a 39-19 overall record – and made it to the NCAA Super Regional for the fifth time in the last seven years – all coming under the guidance and leadership of head coach Rachel Lawson.
Kentucky came out on fire offensively – scoring the first three runs of the game before the Ducks responded for two in the bottom of the fifth to make it a one-run game. UK then got a two-run single by Erin Rethlake – but it was erased in the Oregon seventh when the Ducks scored four runs.
Oregon moves on to the NCAA Women’s College World Series, sweeping the Eugene Super Regional two games to none.
Key Stat
The key stat in the game was seven – as the Wildcats got seven hits in the game.
Key Play
The key play came in the top of the fifth inning. After the Ducks got runners to second and third with one out, Meagan Prince was called for the first illegal pitch of her Kentucky career to force in the first run of the game for the Ducks.
Key Player
Katie Reed was the key player in the game, making some sensational defensive plays in the fifth inning to save the frame from being more problematic than it was – and also leading off the game with a single, and coming in to score in the first inning.
Run Recap
Katie Reed led off the bottom of the first with a single and came around to score on a Hinz single in addition to an Oregon error. Hinz then came around to score on an RBI double by Alex Martens. UK 2, ORE 0
In the top of the fourth inning, Abbey Cheek clubbed her team-leading 13th home run to left field to make it 3-0. UK 3, ORE 0
Oregon got on the board in the top of the fifth inning on an illegal pitch and an RBI groundout. UK 3, ORE 2
The Wildcats scored two crucial runs in the bottom of the sixth inning, as Breanne Ray and Brynlee Bieglow scored on a two-run single with two outs by Erin Rethlake into right field. UK 5, ORE 2
Oregon got the first four batters to reach in the top of the seventh inning and then a two-run single by Mia Camuso put the Ducks ahead for good. FINAL – (3) Oregon 6, (14) Kentucky 5
For the latest on the Kentucky softball team, follow @UKSoftball on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, as well as on the web at UKathletics.com.
‑ GO CATS –
For more information contact:
Chris Shoals
