Farewell, Howe Field. Hello, Oklahoma City! The No. 1 Oregon Ducks softball team played its final game at Howe Field Saturday afternoon, advancing to the Women’s College World Series after dominating NC State, 9-3, in the second of a two-game series sweep at the Eugene Super Regionals.
Here’s the moment! Congrats @OregonSB!!! So inspiring for all of us! Good luck in Oklahoma #WCWSBound pic.twitter.com/3EV90vrmcB
— Kelly Graves (@GoDucksKG) May 23, 2015
In six seasons under Oregon Head Coach Mike White, the Ducks make their third WCWS appearance in four years. The first round of the WCWS begins Thursday, May 28th, at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium - OGE Energy Field in Oklahoma City, Okla.
@OregonSB Next stop OKC!!! #GoLadyDucks — Jaymie Leigh (@Bartenderness) May 23, 2015
Karissa Hovinga hugs Coach White after pitching for the last time at Howe Field.
Oregon pitcher Karissa Hovinga started in the circle for the Ducks, allowing only two hits and two runs in five innings. As Hovinga stepped off the mound in the sixth, the senior received a rousing ovation and collective “Thank you” from the sold-out home crowd in Eugene.
“It was awesome,” Hovinga said. “The crowd gave me a good cheer. I was truly honored to start that game.”
Junior pitcher Cheridan Hawkins took the circle in the sixth to close out the game to ensure the win for Hovinga, throwing the last six outs for the save and the final pitch at Howe Field.
Oregon’s bats came alive in the fourth inning for the second consecutive game.
“What a special day for us, being the last game at Howe Field,” White said. “Karissa Hovinga getting the last win in Howe Field, and then Cheridan Hawkins throwing the last pitch in Howe Field.”
Wolfpack senior pitcher Emily Weiman served up a mixed bag of riseballs, change-ups, and crack pitch placement to keep NC State deadlocked with the Ducks through the first three innings.
Oregon scored first, but not until the third inning, on Danica Mercado‘s single and subsequent stolen base to put a runner in scoring position. A Nikki Udria single punched Mercado’s ticket home to give the Ducks a 1-0 lead. NC State responded in the the bottom of the third, scoring a run and the game was tied up, 1-1.
In a familiar trend, Oregon hitters eventually adjusted to Weiman and, for the second consecutive game, Oregon issued a batting blitzkrieg in the fourth inning.
Safe at home. Ducks score go-ahead and then tack on three more. Up 5-1 in the fourth. pic.twitter.com/cEoIxk7Dlv
— Tyson Alger (@tysonalger) May 23, 2015
In the top of the fourth, a single from Oregon third baseman and Pac-12 Freshman of the Year Jenna Lilley got things rolling for the Ducks. After a Janelle Lindvall walk, Oregon had two Ducks on the pond.
Lilley steals second base to put Oregon in scoring position.
And with two outs, the juices really started flowing. Oregon blasted four straight RBI singles from junior Koral Costa, sophomore Danica Mercado, junior Alyssa Gillespie and sophomore Nikki Udria, giving the Ducks a 5-1 lead.
The next set of runs came in the seventh inning. After a fielding error on Janie Takeda‘s single that sent the Oregon senior to third base and a Lilley walk, Lindvall went yard with a three-run homer, extending Oregon’s lead, 9-2.
End of an era. Final home game at #howefield. @OregonSB #goducks pic.twitter.com/CdLszHK8p1
— Eric Evans (@EricEvansPhoto) May 23, 2015
Janelle Lindvall’s three-run homer put the game out of reach for the Wolfpack.
“I couldn’t be any prouder of the team and how they performed.” White said. “Because it’s not easy to play at home. Sometimes, there’s a lot more pressure, and I think our team performed well.”
For NC State, Weiman’s performance received a standing ovation from the Oregon crowd, finishing her remarkable career with the most appearances by an active NCAA pitcher. The Wolfpack finish their season 38-22 overall after making the first Super Regional appearance in program history.
The Ducks will travel to Oklahoma City with their eyes on the ultimate prize. The first game of the NCAA Division I Softball WCWS will air on ESPN at noon this Thursday, May 28.
Top photo by Dave Peaks
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Jordan is a lifelong Duck fan currently living in San Diego. Jordan graduated from The Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington, after serving a prestigious fellowship with the Washington State House of Representatives. Upon graduation, he worked as an English language teaching assistant for the Spanish Ministry of Education’s Ambassadorial Program in Monforte de Lemos, Spain. Jordan has worked as a journalist, writer, and editor in Oregon, Washington, Montana, and California, covering a wide range of topics, including sports, local politics, and crime. He is VERY excited to be writing about his beloved Oregon Ducks.