Duck Softball Wins Eugene Regional, Hosts Super Regional Next Weekend
After a remarkable season the Oregon Ducks hosted a regional series at historic Howe Field. It was a fitting send off for the stadium that has been a home to both the softball and baseball teams since it’s construction in 1936. The cozy confines of Howe Field could no longer fit the high-flying ducks, as more seats became a priority. The new Jane Sanders Stadium will be a welcome change as the Ducks look to continue the team’s unprecedented run of success that has seen three pac-12 titles in three consecutive years.
The Eugene Regional featured teams from all over the nation with North Dakota St., BYU and Fresno St. all making the trip to Oregon. The regional is a round robin style tournament that requires two losses before a team is sent home.
The action kicked off Thursday when the Ducks took on the BYU Cougars and ace pitcher Cheridan Hawkins stifled a normally good-hitting Cougar team in route to an 8-0 win. Hawkins gave up only one hit to a BYU team that came into the season batting .335. Also on Thursday, North Dakota St. took care of Fresno St. in a 4-0 win. This put both BYU and Fresno State on the brink of elimination heading into Friday.
The next day Oregon took on the Bison of North Dakota St. and the game came down to the final inning before the Ducks eventually prevailed 4-3. Hawkins pitched for her second game in a row and despite only giving up three hits she struggled with her control giving up four walks that helped the Bison put some runs on the board.
It really was a pitchers duel as Bison pitcher Kristen Menke came into the game second in the NCAA in strikeouts. She gave the Oregon team trouble for three innings before the Ducks hit its stride scoring four runs in a crucial fourth inning. Coach Mike White was happy he got a chance to scout Menke when the Bison beat Fresno State on Thursday. He was surprised to learn that she wasn’t quite the fastball pitcher that so many strikeout specialists are; Menke relies on good control and a variety of pitches to get most of her strikeouts.
With the win over the Bison the Ducks secured the team’s spot in the championship match up on Saturday. North Dakota State went to face the winner of BYU-Fresno St. in a double header on Friday. The Bison prevailed beating BYU handily by a score of 7-0.
It was clear after North Dakota State eliminated BYU that the Bison and the Ducks stood above the pack in the Eugene Regional. They met in the championship game on Saturday that featured Menke of NDSU against Karissa Hovinga of the Ducks. It was a bold choice keeping star pitcher Hawkins on the bench for such a crucial game but Hovinga rose to the occasion. She pitched six scoreless innings in route to a 6-1 Duck victory. In the seventh inning she struggled with her control and the team brought in Hawkins to close the game. This should not detract from an excellent performance from Hovinga and she will be crucial if the Ducks hope to have consistent success in the Super Regionals and, hopefully, the College World Series.
With the team’s win over the Bison the Ducks secured a spot in the Super Regionals, which will extend the life of Howe Stadium by a best of three series against a team that will be one of North Carolina State, James Madison or Fordham. The Super Regionals will take place next weekend, with first pitch on Friday, May 22nd.
