No. 1 seed Oregon opens up the Regional tournament against the Utah Valley Wolverines at Howe Field in Eugene, Oregon, on Friday, May 16, 2014. The Ducks, who have been the nation’s top-ranked team for six straight weeks, was announced as the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Softball Championships. The double-elimination Regional, which will continue through Saturday and Sunday, will see Oregon facing off against Utah Valley. The Wolverines were swept at Howe Field earlier in the season, and went 14-40 in their regular season. If Oregon defeats Utah Valley in Friday’s match-up, its next opponent could be Wisconsin, a team the Ducks beat in last year’s regional tournament.
No. 1 seed Oregon opens up the Regional tournament against the Utah Valley Wolverines at Howe Field in Eugene, Oregon, on Friday, May 16, 2014. (Andrew Seng/Emerald)
Oregon infielder Courtney Ceo (22) and Oregon utility player Kailee Cuico (33) greet familiar faces in the crowd prior to the start of the game. No. 1 seed Oregon opens up the Regional tournament against the Utah Valley Wolverines at Howe Field in Eugene, Oregon, on Friday, May 16, 2014. (Andrew Seng/Emerald)
Oregon pitcher Cheridan Hawkins (11) launches the ball during the top of the first inning. No. 1 seed Oregon opens up the Regional tournament against the Utah Valley Wolverines at Howe Field in Eugene, Oregon, on Friday, May 16, 2014. (Andrew Seng/Emerald)
Oregon utility player Kailee Cuico (33) slides to home plate for a run during the bottom of the first inning. No. 1 seed Oregon opens up the Regional tournament against the Utah Valley Wolverines at Howe Field in Eugene, Oregon, on Friday, May 16, 2014. (Andrew Seng/Emerald)
Oregon infielder Courtney Ceo (22) warms-up prior to the start of the game. No. 1 seed Oregon opens up the Regional tournament against the Utah Valley Wolverines at Howe Field in Eugene, Oregon, on Friday, May 16, 2014. (Andrew Seng/Emerald)
Oregon pitcher Karissa Hovinga (10) pitches the ball during the top of the third inning. No. 1 seed Oregon opens up the Regional tournament against the Utah Valley Wolverines at Howe Field in Eugene, Oregon, on Friday, May 16, 2014. (Andrew Seng/Emerald)
Oregon outfielder Alyssa Gillespie (9) warms-up between third and fourth innings. No. 1 seed Oregon opens up the Regional tournament against the Utah Valley Wolverines at Howe Field in Eugene, Oregon, on Friday, May 16, 2014. (Andrew Seng/Emerald)
Oregon outfielder Janie Takeda (19) gets a base hit during the bottom of the first inning. No. 1 seed Oregon opens up the Regional tournament against the Utah Valley Wolverines at Howe Field in Eugene, Oregon, on Friday, May 16, 2014. (Andrew Seng/Emerald)
A group of Utah Valley players take a moment to converse during the bottom of the fourth inning. No. 1 seed Oregon opens up the Regional tournament against the Utah Valley Wolverines at Howe Field in Eugene, Oregon, on Friday, May 16, 2014. (Andrew Seng/Emerald)
Oregon catcher Janelle Lindvall (26) watches her ball fly out of bounds during the bottom of the first inning. No. 1 seed Oregon opens up the Regional tournament against the Utah Valley Wolverines at Howe Field in Eugene, Oregon, on Friday, May 16, 2014. (Andrew Seng/Emerald)
Oregon catcher Janelle Lindvall (26) slides to second base during the bottom of the second inning. No. 1 seed Oregon opens up the Regional tournament against the Utah Valley Wolverines at Howe Field in Eugene, Oregon, on Friday, May 16, 2014. (Andrew Seng/Emerald)
Oregon infielder Stevie Jo Knapp (18) watches the ball fly past first base during the bottom of the fourth inning. No. 1 seed Oregon opens up the Regional tournament against the Utah Valley Wolverines at Howe Field in Eugene, Oregon, on Friday, May 16, 2014. (Andrew Seng/Emerald)