Oregon softball captures blowout win over Wichita State to open regional play
Oregon began its postseason journey in electric fashion on Friday, and now its biggest test of the season begins.
Oregon (32-17) topped Wichita State 10-2 and run-ruled the Shockers in five innings Friday at Arkansas’ Bogle Park in the Fayetteville Regional.
Up against a stacked offense that possesses some of the best individual talent in the country, the Ducks struck first and left nothing to doubt. They took a commanding early lead in the second on Paige Sinicki’s three-run homer and never looked back.
Terra McGowan, Ariel Carlson, Rachel Cid, and Sinicki all homered for the Ducks.
“Working up toward this first game, the guys worked really well in practice,” Oregon coach Melyssa Lombardi said. “Last week was a bye, so it really forced us to have intense practices prior to and I feel like they did a really good job of preparing.”
Delgado went 2-for-3 for the Ducks, and Carlson’s three-run homer in the fourth inning was a no-doubter that put the game out of reach for good.
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The next inning, McGowan lifted a solo, walk-off blast to invoke the run rule and secure the win.
Oregon starter Stevie Hansen tossed 2 2/3 innings and allowed three hits, two runs, both earned, and struck out three Wichita State batters. Megan Kliethermes came on in relief and threw 2 1/3 scoreless innings during which she struck out one, walked one, and yielded just three hits.
Now, Oregon will set its sights on Arkansas, the regional host, and No. 4 team in the nation.
The Razorbacks went 19-5 in the SEC this season and topped Princeton 11-0 in their regional opener.
Oregon and Arkansas will face off at 11 a.m. PT in a double-elimination matchup Saturday, with the winner advancing to Sunday’s regional final and the loser heading to a Saturday night elimination game.
“To have success in the postseason, you have to stay within yourself,” Lombardi said. “Our team is very good with staying within our team, and we are going to go back and prepare like any other game. But right now, the focus is on us.”
Wichita State and Princeton will play at 1:30 p.m. PT, with the winner advancing to Saturday night’s elimination game.
