The Oregon softball team entered the 2015 Women’s College World Series with all the momentum it needed.
The Ducks were a perfect 5-0 during regionals and super regionals, outscoring its opponents 33-8. They got the opportunity to face No. 7 UCLA in their first game at the WCWS, a team they took two of three from earlier in the season.
All that momentum is now gone.
The Ducks were beaten and battered by the Bruins as they fell 7-1. They will now have to fight their way through the loser’s bracket.
With the loss, Oregon will have Friday off before facing No. 6 Alabama on Saturday at 11:30 a.m. in an elimination game. UCLA plays No. 3 Michigan tomorrow 6:30 p.m. in the winner’s bracket.
One day after being named a first-team all-American, Oregon ace Cheridan Hawkins struggled mightily against the Bruins’ mighty offense.
She gave up two solo homeruns in the second inning the put the Ducks in a hole early before giving up five more runs in the sixth inning. Hawkins, who entered the game with a 1.41 ERA, threw 5.2 innings, giving up seven runs on eight hits with six strikeouts.
Karissa Hovinga came on in relief of Hawkins and threw the final 1.1 innings, giving no runs with one hit and one strikeout.
The Ducks’ offense was predicated on big hits throughout the season, using them to break open the flood gates and get the offense rolling.
Oregon had either the first or second batter reach base in five of the seven innings but only twice did a runner reach third base during the game.
In the first inning, Jenna Lilley singled to right field but with one out but Janie Takeda was thrown out trying to advance to third base on the play, thus ending the rally.
Oregon had another chance to score in the fourth inning when Geri Ann Glasco and Janelle Lindvall both got on base to start the innings. After back-to-back outs, Lauren Lindvall singled to load the bases but a fielder’s choice by Alyssa Gillespie ended the inning.
Oregon got its only run in the sixth inning when Koral Costa started the inning with a double and came around to score on a Lauren Lindvall single but it was little too late at that point.
If the Ducks can find a way to beat Alabama, they will play the loser of the Michigan-UCLA game at 6:30 p.m. in another elimination game. Alabama defeated the Ducks 2-0 in last year’s WCWS that eliminated Oregon from the tournament.
Follow Ryan Kostecka on Twitter: @Ryan_Kostecka