Oregon Ducks' softball season ends after being eliminated by No. 4 Arkansas
After a long Saturday, the Oregon Ducks were faced with the tall task of needing to defeat the No. 4 Arkansas Razorbacks twice to advance to the Super Regional.
Although the Ducks had a gusty performance fighting back into the game, playing three games in less than 24 hours was just too much.
On Sunday afternoon, Arkansas (47-9) defeated Oregon (33-19) 9-3 in the Fayetteville Regional Final at Bogle Park. The Razorbacks will face the winner of the Seattle Regional between Washington and Texas.
Arkansas' Rylin Hedgecock came in as a pinch-hitter and recorded three RBIs in the victory. Linnie Malkin was 2-for-4 with an RBI.
Mary Haff won her 20th game of the season after pitching all seven innings as she gave up one earned one and six hits. In relief, Oregon's Makenna Kliethermes (11-7) gave up five hits and two earned runs in 4.2 innings.
After losing to Arkansas on Saturday, Oregon had to play Wichita State in an elimination game late Saturday night. The Ducks defeated the Shockers 8-1 in a game that ended around 1:30 a.m. Central time and then had to get ready for a 1 p.m. local time first pitch.
"I just want to say how proud I am of our team," Oregon softball coach Melyssa Lombardi said. "I think this team persevered all year long. I watched this team transform all year long; I watched this team go above and beyond everything we asked them to do and they did.
"I loved watching them compete, I loved watching them score runs with two outs, I love watching them come from behind and win. I just think there were so many moments this year where they clutched up and they were unbelievable.
"I can't say how proud I am of them. It hurts right now, but I think for our athletes coming back what this is going to do for them."
The Razorbacks didn't wait long in the finale. Linnie Malkin and Kacie Hoffmann hit back-to-back home runs in the second inning, giving Arkansas a 2-0 lead.
The Ducks' bats struggled early as they didn't record a hit until the third inning. Arkansas continued to add more runs in the fourth.
Danielle Gibson hit a homer to center field, making the score 3-0. Oregon finally got on the board in the fourth inning after a bizarre fielding play by Arkansas.
Ari Carlson doubled, scoring a run. Then two wide throws to second and third base scored Alle Bunker and Han Delgado, which tied the game in the bottom of the fourth inning.
The game remained tied at 3-3 until Arkansas again had some sixth inning magic, much like it did against Oregon on Saturday. A single, a fielder's choice error by Oregon and a walk loaded the bases. Cally Kildow scored on a wild pitch by Kliethermes with one out, which gave the Razorbacks a 4-3 lead.
Arkansas wasn't done as it scored on a Hedgecock double that cleared the bases, which brought in three runs. KD Sides hit a two-run homer that boosted the score to 9-3 in the bottom of the sixth.
Oregon had two opportunities to come back in the bottom of the sixth and seventh, but the Ducks went scoreless in both innings. Now the season is over for the Ducks.
This is the second consecutive year Oregon's season ended in the Regional round. Last year, the Ducks lost to the Texas Longhorns in the Austin Regional.
"It is all about the seniors and remembering the work that we put in this year," infielder Allie Bunker said. "Stepping back and just saying it is just softball at the end of the day. We love playing this game, but it is about the memories we create with each other.
"We will always be lifelong friends and just remembering why we are all here together."
Contact Register-Guard sportswriter Antwan Staley at astaley@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter @antwanstaley.
This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: Oregon Ducks softball lose to Arkansas Razorbacks for 2nd time
