Missed Opportunities Cost Ducks in NCAA Opener
AUSTIN, Texas – Oregon created numerous opportunities for itself offensively but was unable to cash in all game in a 5-1 loss to Texas State in the NCAA Regional opener Friday.
The Ducks will now have their backs against the wall, needing to win four in a row to advance after falling into the elimination bracket of the Austin Regional, starting with a matchup against Saint Francis on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. PT on ESPN3.
"It can be done," said head coach Melyssa Lombardi. "It's just understanding that we have to do things a little different. What we did tonight wasn't good enough, so I think if we get back to our ball it can be done."
How it Happened: Texas State (39-12) struck first, after Hailey MacKay hit a two-run homer with no outs in the second inning to make it 2-0. The Bobcats added another run as Tara Oltmann delivered a two-out double to make it 3-0.
Allee Bunker finally broke through offensively for the Ducks, leading off the bottom of the third with a solo shot down the left field line to cut the deficit to 3-1. Oregon threatened to add more in the inning, but stranded runners at second and third.
Oregon (37-16) starter Brooke Yanez got in a groove over the next couple of innings, setting down eight in a row at one point, but the Bobcats struck for two runs in the sixth inning to chase her. Oltmann and Sara Vanderford delivered back-to-back one-out doubles to make it 4-1, before another run came in on a wild pitch.
The Ducks threatened to rally in the seventh, getting a pair of runners on with one out in the inning, but couldn't cash in.
Notable: Yanez (20-6) fanned double-digit batters in a game for the ninth time this season … Bunker took over the team lead in home runs with her 10th of the season … She also turned in her 17th multi-hit game of the year … Cruse recorded her team-best 19th multi-hit game this year, going 2-for-4 … The loss snapped Oregon's 27-game winning streak in an NCAA Regional – the first loss in the round since 2008 … The Ducks went 0-for-11 with runners in scoring position and left 11 runners on base.
On Deck: The Ducks will play Saint Francis in an elimination game on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. PT on ESPN3.