WCWS: Oregon Ducks Uphill Climb Begins With Alabama on Saturday
The last time the Oregon Ducks lost their opener in the Women’s College World Series was 2012. On Thursday, fifth seed Alabama lost their first WCWS opener since 2009. Both teams will face off in an elimination game on Saturday morning in Oklahoma City.
Oregon fell 7-1 to UCLA on Friday night in a game that included Starter Cheridan Hawkins being hit by a ball twice, once in the circle and once in the dugout as a foul ball richocheted off the dugout wall and hit her in the back of the head. Hawkins was fine and returned to the game.
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In the circle she gave up two home runs to UCLA and that was all they would need. The Bruins added five runs in the sixth inning and went on for the win. Oregon did get a run on the board. Alabama lost in their opener and were shutout 5-0 against Michigan.
It was just the second shutout this season for the Crimson Tide. Alabama has proven they are a good comeback team as they won the Super Regional against Oklahoma coming back after a Game One defeat. Alabama boasts key players that could have a big impact on Saturday.
Key players to watch for Alabama:
Haylie McCleney, five of her six hits this post season have been home runs.
Freshman Demi Turner also has been solid at the plate leading the team in post season hits with eight.
Chaunsey Bell leads the team in batting average at .467
Oregon has not lost back to back games since 2013. It is not Alabama that worries me, it is the gauntlet of games ahead of them. If they get past Alabama they will have three games in two days leading up to the best of three series starting on Monday for the National Championship. The Ducks are build to win, they have had several long winning streaks this season and are capable of getting to Monday.
Hawkins, along with Karissa Hovinga and Geri Ann Glasco, if needed can provide the pitching to get there. Oregon needs to be Oregon and get comfortable in Oklahoma City. If they get to the National Championship they will be just the third program to do it after losing their first game.
Oregon and Alabama have a first pitch set for just after 11:30am Pacific Time on Saturday. The winner gets the loser of Friday night’s game between Michigan and UCLA later in the day (6:30pm PT, ESPN)