Top-seeded and No. 1 Oregon used a four-run fourth inning to spark its offense and even the Eugene Super Regional softball series at one game apiece with a 6-1 win over No. 16 Kentucky on Friday night at Jane Sanders Stadium in a game that ended past midnight.
The winner of the Super Regional, which will be decided at 9 p.m. Saturday night, advances to the Women’s College World Series.
The Ducks got a complete game from sophomore pitcher Miranda Elish, who allowed just two hits and did not walk a Kentucky batter. Grace Baalman was one of three pitchers Kentucky used in the contest.
Key stat: Kentucky will look to make its second appearance in the Women’s College World Series on Saturday night, as the winner of Game 3 will punch its ticket to Oklahoma City.
Key play: Alex Martens’ sacrifice fly in the bottom of the fourth inning, scored Jenny Schaper from third with one out for Kentucky’s lone run in the game.
Key player: Schaper collected UK’s first hit, scoring the Wildcats’ only run in the fourth inning.
Run recap
• Oregon scored three times on a Lauren Burke RBI single in the fourth inning.
• Schaper and Katie Reed reached base with nobody out in the bottom of the fourth inning. Martens’ sacrifice fly to left field scored Schaper from third with one out.
• In the top of the sixth, Lauren Lindvall and Mia Camuso scored on an RBI double by Jenny Lilly.
(UK Athletics)