NCAA Softball Super Regionals: Arizona, Oregon get wins, Utah and Washington eliminated
The Wildcats used the ground attack to top Auburn 5-3 and take game one of the Super Regional. Arizona got on the board first, scoring on a groundout in the top of the third, but the Tigers took advantage of the a couple of 'Cat errors to take a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the inning.
Mo Mercado tied it up for Arizona with an RBI infield single in the fifth, and the small ball didn't stop there. A single, an infield single, and a bunt single loaded the bases in the top of the sixth before Mandie Perez was hit by a pitch to drive in the go-ahead run. An error and a fielder's choice made it 5-2 Wildcats.
Jade Rhodes got one of those runs back with a solo shot to lead off the bottom of the seventh, but Danielle O'Toole was solid on the mound once again, tossing seven innings and striking out five.
Danielle O'Toole tosses a two-hitter and Arizona takes game 1 in Auburn. #RAISETHEA pic.twitter.com/orbd1CMc64
— Arizona Softball (@UA_Softball) May 29, 2016
The Utes saw their stellar season come to an end on Saturday, as they fell in game two of the Super Regional to Florida State 3-0. Jessica Warren got the Seminoles on the board with a two-run shot in the top of the second, and that was all the run support that Meghan King would need, as she tossed seven shutout innings.
Utah kept themselves in the game with a solid defensive effort, including a diving catch by Sammy Cordova in the top of the fifth, but the offense couldn't get it going against King. The Utes finished with 35 wins this season.
Fantastic catch by @Utah_Softball's Sammy Cordova! She followed this up with a double play for the Utes! #D1softball pic.twitter.com/nE488IhjSD
— NCAA Softball (@NCAAsoftball) May 28, 2016
The Huskies also closed out their season on Saturday, dropping game two to Alabama 5-2. Reagan Dykes provided the knockout punch when she belted a three-run homer in the top of the third inning for the Crimson Tide. Bama added one more run that inning on an error before a single from Ali Aguilar and a sacrfice fly from Taylor Van Zee brought Washington to within two.
A Kallie Case RBI single made it 5-2, and the Huskies offense once again struggled against Alexis Osorio. After striking out 13 last night, Osorio K'd eight for the Tide on Saturday to help send her team to the College World Series.
Washington falls to Alabama in game two, 5-2.
The Huskies' 2016 season will come to a close with an overall record of 39-15.
— UW Husky Softball (@UWSoftball) May 29, 2016
The Oregon Ducks made quick work of the UCLA Bruins, winning the first of a 3-game series by the final of 8-1 Saturday in Eugene. Janelle Lindvall stole the show with 2 home runs, the first of which set an all-time school record for career home runs at 47. The Ducks and Bruins will play again Sunday at 4 pm PST.
With that last home run, @jlindvall26 now owns the UO's all-time record with 47 career homers! #GoDucks pic.twitter.com/xCMxOTrz7x
— Oregon Duck Softball (@OregonSB) May 29, 2016