Oregon Ducks Softball: Big Ten Quarterfinals Recap

The top seeded Oregon Ducks were upset 5-0 by the eighth seeded Michigan Wolverines. There had been some signs that the Oregon’s pitching was in a slump, and that was certainly on display today. More baffling though was the complete disappearance of the bats, as the Ducks recorded only five hits and stranded seven runners against a middling Big Ten squad.

Oregon got off to a slow start in the first few innings. Elise Sokolsky started in the circle and retired the side in the opening period. She was relieved after only finishing two full innings while giving up two runs, one in the second and one in the third. Lyndsay Grein closed out the top of the third inning. Despite facing loaded bases, a ground out to third base kept the game within striking distance for the Ducks with Michigan leading 2-0 in the middle of the third inning.

The Ducks had two runners in scoring position in the bottom of the third inning, but a pop fly to short stop from Kai Luschar ended the threat to the Wolverines. Grein kept the game close by striking out three straight batters to start the fourth inning. Michigan made a change in the circle when Emma Cox got to first base to start the bottom of the fourth. The strategy paid off as Stephanie Ma’ake hit a line drive into a double play and the period ended scoreless for the Ducks.

Grein began to struggle in the top of the fifth, giving up another run. With one out, bases loaded, and Michigan leading 3-0, Stacy Chambers was called in to stop the bleeding. A sacrifice fly and an RBI single stretched the lead to 5-0.

Oregon desperately needed to close the gap, but couldn’t get any runners past second base in the bottom of the fifth. Chambers was able to keep Michigan scoreless in the the sixth inning. Oregon then tried to get a runner on base with small ball, but took an out bunting before Emma Cox reached first base on a walk. A strike out and a fly out later, and the Wolverines only needed to hold on in the 7th for a major upset. Hope for Oregon was kept alive when Chambers retired the side, but the first three batters went down swinging.

With such a disappointing performance against low-rated team, the Ducks path in the NCAA playoffs has become much harder. A super-regional was only realistic by winning the whole tournament, but now it doubtful even a regional will be played in Eugene. This team needs a complete re-set as the post-season begins, and they will have to do it on the road. The NCAA selection show will be aired on ESPN2 at 7:00PM on Sunday May 11.