Emotions were running high at Jane Sanders Stadium on Senior Day. Two days after claiming its fourth straight Pac-12 title against Utah (32-19, 13-10 Pac-12), the six outgoing Oregon seniors were showered with gifts and special videos on the big screen. In addition, Sammie Puentes sang the National Anthem.
But the real excitement didn’t start until the fifth inning, when Oregon began its comeback effort to beat Utah, 3-2, and clinch a series win.
Just after Cheridan Hawkins (21-3) recorded her sixth strikeout to close the top fifth, No. 3 Oregon (44-8, 20-4) prepped for one final push. It was trailing 2-1.
Lauren Lindvall, who finished the game 2-for-2, led off the bottom fifth with a single to left center field. Stevie Jo Knapp then drew a critical walk to set up the run Oregon had been patiently working towards. Alyssa Gillespie followed up with a perfectly laid bunt to load up the bases for Jenna Lilley.
Lilley, who finished 1-for-3, took Katie Donovan to a 2-2 count just before things got interesting.
“I just told myself to stay in the moment,” Lilley said. “There’s been a lot of emotions this game … just trying to keep an even-keel out there.”
Following a close call for ball three, a livid Utah Assistant Coach Cody Thompson charged the field. The umpire wasn’t having any of it. Thompson was immediately thrown out before he could mouth off how he was truly feeling.
Once play resumed, Lilley stepped up with a riled up crowd behind her with a full count and the bases loaded. She struck one right down the first baseline, bringing home two runs. Oregon took its first lead at 3-2 heading into the sixth.
Despite a close call in the top sixth where play paused multiple times following a few controversial calls by the umpire, Hawkins and her defense kept their cool.
“It was kind of a gut-check for her,” Head Coach Mike White said. “She held it together really well.”
After two quick back-to-back strikeouts to begin the top seventh, Hawkins gathered herself, gave a quick high five to Lilley, and took the mound.
One final pop fly to center was the final play as Oregon charged the field following its last regular season series win of the year.
“That’s an important win right there,” Hawkins said. “Preparing to be in a close game, preparing to feel pressure in certain innings, and up at the plate … that is definitely a good environment to be in before postseason gets here.”
Back on April 30^th, the NCAA selection committee ranked Oregon at No. 7. The top eight teams, which will be announced tomorrow, will host its respective Super Regionals.
For now, Oregon will take a quick break, enjoy its successful regular season, and patiently wait for its postseason verdict.
“I think we’re a top eight team,” Hawkins said. “Whatever happens, we’re going to work our butts off.”
Follow Hayden Kim on Twitter @HayDayKim