It’ll be an early wake up call for the Ducks on Friday.
After run-ruling BYU 8-0 in five innings, Oregon’s next test in the NCAA Eugene regional is New Dakota State (11 a.m., Pac-12 live stream/KWVA).
Oregon ace Cheridan Hawkins fanned 12 BYU batters on Thursday, giving up only one hit. She allowed two baserunners in total. Koral Costa led the Ducks at the plate, going 2-for-3 with three RBIs.
Four other Ducks also had two hits against BYU.
UO head coach Mike White saw NDSU before the Oregon game and said he was impressed with NDSU’s athleticism.
The Ducks could face NDSU starter Krista Menke, who went the distance for her team in a 4-0 win over Fresno State,
“She really extends the ball very well,” White said. “She almost reminds me of a right-handed Cheridan [Hawkins]. I actually mentioned that to the team. We have to be selective.”
Menkte tossed seven innings of two-hit ball on 134 pitches. She struck out 10 and gave up four walks.
“I’ve only seen them on TV, but as far as I know, they’re the best team in the country,” North Dakota State head coach Darren Mueller said Thursday of Oregon. “… They’re tremendous. It’s going to be quite a challenge if that’s who we do play, but it’s just a great opportunity.”
NSDU was only able to muster three hits against Fresno State, but earned five walks as a group. NDSU’s appearance in the Eugene regional is its sixth in seven years. This year, the Bison notched 40 wins on the season, the first time in program history to reach the mark since 2004. NDSU is sits at 44-9 and is currently riding a seven-game winning streak.
The winner of Oregon-NDSU will play again on Saturday, 1 p.m. first pitch.
Follow Jonathan Hawthorne on Twitter @Jon_Hawthorne