Ducks rally past NC State

Oregon won the game 6-1 after trailing a majority of the game 1-0. Cheridan Hawkins finished the day with only giving up one run and striking out 14 batters.

The game started off grim for the Ducks. Renada Davis hit a leadoff home run that gave NC State their lone run. Hawkins responded by striking out the next three batters. She continued her dominance and retired six consecutive batters.

Oregon fought back in the bottom of the fourth. The comeback started when Jenna Lilley had a leadoff walk. On the next at bat Hailey Decker hit a single that advanced Lilley to second base. Oregon got the bases loaded after Janelle Lindvall hit the ball towards the NC State shortstop. The ball bounced off the fielders glove and Lindvall reached first base safely.

Alyssa Gillespie, who was 0 for 5 with the bases loaded this season, beat out a pitch with two outs. The hit on an error gave Oregon its first lead of the game at 3-1. The Ducks got one more run in the inning and went to the top of the fifth up 4-1.

Hawkins cruised through the rest of the game, and Oregon built on their lead. Decker scored on a double in the bottom of the fifth. Once again the Ducks had the bases loaded and Lindvall scored after tagging up. That put the Ducks up five runs with two innings left.

The Ducks will play at 12:00 p.m. tomorrow to try and clinch a trip to the Women's College World Series.