Game one of the Eugene Super Regionals belonged to No. 1-ranked Oregon (53-7-1), who eased its way to an 10-2 run-rule victory over No. 16 Minnesota (44-11). The Ducks won in front of a record 1,954 Howe Field crowd.
“Our fans were tremendous,” Mike White said. “We set a new record tonight of 1,954 people and hopefully we can build on that as well.”
A plethora of fielding errors were the name of the game for the visiting Golden Gophers, who made their Super Regional debut as a program. They finished the game with four errors, which the Ducks capitalized on early.
“That’s what we do,” White said in reference to the four Gopher errors. “We try to create havoc in the infield, we try to create pressure wherever we can. I’m just blessed to have enough people that can do that.”
Just a year ago, the Ducks dropped game one against Nebraska 5-2 in the 2013 Eugene Super Regionals before eventually losing the series. This year, the Ducks began the series with a win, something they haven’t done before.
“We’ve had that bitter taste in our mouths since last year, so to get out there and come back after getting down that first inning, that was huge for our confidence,” senior third baseman Courtney Ceo said. “To prove to ourselves that we deserve to be here and this is where we belong.”
Starting on the mound for the Ducks was ace Cheridan Hawkins (32-4), who made her Super Regional starting debut. Hawkins, who pitched all six innings, gave up two runs and three hits. The sophomore finished with four strikeouts.
“I think there’s always a bit of nerves when you pitch in a Super Regional,” Hawkins said. “This was first start ever in a Super Regional, so obviously I was a little bit nervous, but after the first inning I settled in a little bit better.”
For the Gophers, senior pitcher Sara Moulton (27-7) got the start. Moulton, who also made her Super Regional debut as a senior, gave up eight runs and eight hits in four innings before being replaced by Nikki Anderson. Moulton was on the mound for three of the Gophers errors.
The first three innings were nothing short of eventful for the Ducks. All eight of the Ducks runs came in these innings, but it wasn’t necessarily in normal fashion. These three innings would essentially give the Ducks all they needed in their game one victory.
After giving up a run in the opening inning, the Ducks answered quickly with a run of their own in the bottom of the first. Ceo was awarded Oregon’s first run after recording a solo home run to left center field to tie up the game at one a piece.
“It was big for us to come right out and score those two runs to get back out front,” White said.
Ceo finished the game with three runs, three hits and two runs batted in.
In the bottom of the second, the Ducks began to pour on the runs. Following a Nikki Udria two-RBI double, Ceo and Udria came home to score off an unusual play that involved both errors from the center fielder and the pitcher. The play resulted in an unearned inside-the-park home run for the Ducks.
To follow, the Ducks added three more runs in the bottom of the third. Beginning with a Koral Costa score that involved another Gopher error — hitting Costa on the helmet on her way to home plate — the Ducks extended their lead to six with two runners on. The Ducks capped off the inning with a Karine Shaver run following a Ceo flyout.
In the bottom sixth, the Ducks completed the mercy rule. Following a Ceo score off a Gopher throwing error, Janelle Lindvall recorded a game-ending RBI single up the middle with two runners on.
Leading the way for the Ducks were Udria and Ceo. The two combined for five of Oregon’s runs batted in. Udria also added one run and one hit in her first Super Regional game.
Game two will be held Sunday at Howe Field with a scheduled 2 p.m. first pitch.
“Minnesota is a great opponent,” White said. “I’ve seen enough game tape this week, I think I’m almost a Minnesota fan. I’m sure it will be a tough series tomorrow, it’s not over.”
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Follow Hayden Kim on Twitter @HayDayKim