Softball Edges Out Oregon, 2-1, in WCWS Pitcher’s Duel
In the second elimination game of the day at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium, a great start by Alexis Osorio and a clutch two-run single by Chandler Dare was all the Crimson Tide needed as they edged out Oregon, 2-1, to avoid elimination in the Women’s College World Series.
Alabama (48-14) starter Alexis Osorio (22-9) threw her fifth complete game of the postseason, holding the Oregon (51-8) offense to just one run on three hits while striking out nine, her highest total of the NCAA Tournament. The top six in the Tide offense went a combined 0-15 but it was Chandler Dare out of the nine-hole who provided the crucial hit, popping a two-run single into shallow right field in the second inning. That was part of a 2-2 performance for the sophomore, as she added a hard-hit double in the fifth inning.
Oregon ace Cheridan Hawkins (30-5) was effective in the circle, fanning seven batters over 6.0 innings pitched with two runs on three hits, but her offense couldn’t support her effort as the Ducks stranded four on base, including the bases loaded in the fourth inning.
Alabama got on the board first in the bottom of the second inning, as a one out walk by Danae Hays set up Danielle Richard for an opposite-field double to put two in scoring position. A strikeout went for out number two before Dare dropped a bloop single into shallow right field, scoring both runners to give Alabama a 2-0 lead.
Oregon cut the lead in half in the top of the third, as Lauren Lindvall drew a one out walk and was sacrificed into scoring position before a line-drive single by Janie Takeda went just over the glove of a jumping Demi Turner at second to score Lindvall and make it 2-1. Oregon threatened again in the top of the fourth, loading the bases with two out, but a groundout on the first pitch got the Tide out of the jam still leading 2-1.
Osorio struck out the side in the top of the sixth but the offense was unable to add any insurance in the bottom half, as Alabama entered the top of the seventh with a one-run lead. Osorio erased any chance of late-game drama as a popup and back-to-back strikeouts ended the game with Alabama holding on to win, 2-1.
Alabama will play in another elimination game later tonight, facing LSU (51-13) at 8:30 p.m. CT. The winner of that contest will advance to play Michigan on Sunday, May 31.
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