Ducks jump on Vikings early and often, advance in NCAA Regional
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EUGENE - The #11 seed University of Oregon softball team (40-15) exploded for six runs in the first inning to top Portland State, 7-3, in their NCAA Regional opener Thursday night at Howe Field.
In its first-ever home postseason tilts, the Ducks added their final run in the fourth inning to win their postseason opener for the third straight time under head coach Mike White.
Duck junior Jessica Moore struck out seven, walked one and allowed six hits and three earned runs in her 27th complete game of the season.
PSU starter Anna Bertrand (22-12) retired only the first two outs of the game before she was relieved by Raya Johnson who finished the game.
The Pacific Coast Softball Conference Mountain Division Pitcher of the Year Bertrand was touched for six earned runs on six hits and a walk, and did not strike any batters out.
Junior Samantha Pappas led off the game with a single, and was followed by a double down the left field line by junior Kaylan Howard, although Pappas was thrown out at home.
The Ducks proceeded to load the bases on a fielder's chioce and walk, and scored its first run on a hit by pitch of senior Christie Nieto.
Sophomore Alexa Peterson two- and one-run singles to right field, and Takeda added a two-run single down the right field line for Oregon's final run of the inning, and all with Bertrand in the circle.
For the game, Moore (2-for-3, 1 RBI) had a season high in hits, and Pappas and Howard each went 2-for-4.
For PSU, two players had multiple hits - Karmen Holladay and Rebecca Bliss - as both went 2-for-3.
In the circle, Johnson struck out four, walked three, allowed four hits, and her one run allowed was unearned.
Looking ahead, Oregon takes on BYU (44-13) at 11 a.m. Friday, while Portland State (27-24) faces Mississippi State (33-23) immediately after at 2 p.m. The loser of Friday's first game, and winner of the second game then play at 5 p.m.
Action concludes with a noon game on Saturday between the two remaining teams in the double-elimination format. A seventh and final game (if necessary) would follow at 3 p.m. Saturday.
