Since the preseason, Oregon softball (3-2) has spoken about having a postseason mentality from day one. There was no better opportunity for it to prove that it’s primed for another deep run than against No. 5 Clemson (4-0).
The game began with two straight singles for the Ducks. With runners on the corners, Kai Luschar opened the scoring off a sac fly by Alyssa Daniell.
It didn’t take much time for the Tigers to tie. McKenzie Clark had the leadoff double to right-center. Shortly after, she stole third. Clark reached home on a flyout to center field.
Oregon stayed composed. Pitcher Morgan Scott recorded the strikeout against Clemson star Valerie Cagle. The Ducks followed it up with the second straight out to end the inning.
Oregon had success in the first two innings getting runners on base. It wasn’t able to tack on more runs in the second as KK Humphreys was stranded on third.
The Ducks were beginning to get into a rhythm on defense as well. Scott pitched a 1-2-3 inning in the second. Nothing would be easy against the Tigers. However, Clemson responded by sending the Oregon batters down in order.
The Ducks defense continued its strong play for yet another three up, three down inning. In the fourth, the freshman Ayanna Shaw pinch-ran for Daniell. Shaw came on and stole second and later reached third on error. Oregon regained the lead off a Humphreys flyout.
Once again, the Tigers had a response. A miscommunication by the Ducks’ outfield allowed a double which also advanced Cagle. She scored off a squeeze bunt by Alia Logoleo. Clemson scored one more run in the inning to take its first lead of the evening.
Oregon was able to regroup and stop the bleeding by getting outs on the next three batters.
But the Ducks weren’t able to get on base in the fifth. Scott kept her team in the game by recording two more strikeouts at the bottom of the inning.
Scott finished with four strikeouts and three runs in five innings. Freshman pitcher Taylour Spencer relieved Scott in the sixth. As soon as Spencer came on, Oregon forced the flyout before ending the inning on a double play.
The Ducks needed to win this one in the seventh.
Cagle retired the first two Oregon batters in the inning. Vallery Wong stepped up to the plate and hit a clutch single up the middle. It was up to Tehya Bird to continue the game.
Instead, Cagle pitched her fifth and final strikeout of the contest. The Ducks would drop their second game of the season only five games in.
Oregon has the opportunity to bounce back as it finishes the NFCA Leadoff Classic against Army. It’ll be an early start time of 7 a.m. Pacific Time.
