Saturday marked the final day for historic Howe Field, and the Ducks made sure to give their home a proper goodbye. Oregon scored four runs in the top of the fourth inning, going on to defeat NC State 9-3 in Game 2 of their Super Regional matchup against the Wolfpack, punching their ticket to the Women's College World Series for the second straight year.
Oregon stater Karissa Hovinga delivered a strong performance for the Ducks, going 5.0 innings while giving up one earned run on just two hits with five strikeouts and two walks.
Final line for @karissahovinga in her final start at Howe Field: 5 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 5 K #GoDucks #WCWS pic.twitter.com/rKkxld8SF4
— Oregon Duck Softball (@OregonSB) May 23, 2015
Cheridan Hawkins came on in relief for the Ducks and shut down the Wolfpack, going 2.0 innings while giving up one hit while striking out six batters. Her only hit surrendered was a late home run to Sara Lippard with the Ducks already up 9-2.
Cheridan Hawkins throwing down the hammer on NC State like Thor. #goducks
— Dylan (@Dux4Ever23) May 23, 2015
.@CheridanH11 gets the final out ever at Howe Field as @OregonSB heads to OKC for the #WCWS!#GoDucks pic.twitter.com/zvwqvWWIPE
— John Vu (@TheVuuster) May 23, 2015
After the Wolfpack tied the game in the third inning, Oregon reclaimed the lead with a big fourth inning rally. With two outs and the game tied 1-1, Koral Costa singled to right field, driving home Jenna Lilley who made an athletic slide into home plate. The Ducks would continue to rally, stringing together three more RBI singles before the inning came to an end.
Second day in a row with a four-run fourth inning for Oregon, and both times all the runs scored after two outs. https://t.co/pg8vhSqSab
— Rob Moseley (@GoDucksMoseley) May 23, 2015
It marked the second straight game in which Oregon scored four runs in the fourth inning with two outs. Last night against the Wolfpack, the Ducks jumped out to a 4-1 lead with a fourth inning rally, eventually going on to win Game 1 by a final score of 6-1.
But the rally wouldn't be enough to please the Ducks. In the top of the seventh, already leading 5-2, Janelle Lindvall launched a three-run home run over the centerfield fence, putting Oregon up 9-2.
T7 | BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!! @jlindvall26 smashes a three-run homer and the Ducks lead NC State, 9-2! #GoDucks pic.twitter.com/DaJ27YQc4Z
— Oregon Duck Softball (@OregonSB) May 23, 2015
As Weiman was pulled from the game in the fifth inning, the NC State senior received a standing ovation from not just the Wolfpack fans in Eugene, but from many of the Oregon fans as well.
With NC State down to their final eight outs, Davis launched a home run over the centerfield fence to make it 5-2 in the bottom of the fifth. That would be all the Wolfpack would manage though, as Hovinga got out of the inning without any further damage.
First ball the Wolfpack hit out of the infield against Hovinga today. https://t.co/hTvaZRT16m
— Rob Moseley (@GoDucksMoseley) May 23, 2015
The Ducks will have one final practice at Howe Field on Monday before leaving for Oklahoma City on Tuesday. That will also be the day that construction on the new Jane Sanders Stadium begins. The Women's College World Series begins on Thursday.