By Otis Kirk
FAYETTEVILLE -- Oregon took a 14-4 run-rule win over Arkansas on Sunday to capture the Fayetteville Regional going unbeaten in three games, including a pair of wins over the Razorbacks.
Arkansas used four pitchers on Sunday after having played two games on Saturday. Courtney Deifel talked about the game afterward.
"First, I want to congratulate Oregon," Deifel said. "More than anything I just don't want the final score to take away from what this team has done over the course of the year."
Oregon (38-15) and Arkansas (40-19) entered the day with the Hogs needing to win twice. Arkansas got off to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first. Reagan Johnson and Raigan Kramer both singled to start the game. Johnson went to third base on Kramer's single and then scored on a sacrifice fly by Rylin Hedgecock.
However, that lead was a short lived. Oregon pounced on starting pitcher Chenise Delce for four runs in the bottom of the first. Two walks and a stolen base set the stage for Ariel Carlson to single driving in Kai Luschar. KK Humphrey followed with a 3-run blast over the fence for a 4-1 advantage after an inning.
The Hogs weren't going down without a fight though. In the top of the third, Cylie Halverson singled to right field. Kristina Foreman was hit by a pitch. Hannah Gammill followed with a 3-run shot of her on over the fence in center field. That tied the game at 4.
Oregon added a run in the bottom of the fourth for a 5-4 lead. However, in the bottom of the fifth Carlson hit a pair of home runs. She hit a 2-run home run and then ended the game with a walk-off grand slam.
Delce was followed to the mound by Callie Turner, Robyn Herron and Hannah Camenzind on Sunday.
Friday, May 19, Arkansas 11 - Rutgers 0
Arkansas scored five runs in the bottom of the first and did the same in the fifth. They also added a solo shot by Hannah Gammill in the third. Hannah Camenzind got the start and went the distance pitching a one hitter. Raigan Kramer hit a walk-off grand slam in the bottom of the fifth.
Saturday, May 20, Oregon 10 - Arkansas 4
This was the game that send Arkansas to the loser's bracket which required them playing a second game on Saturday while Oregon rested and advanced to Sunday. The difference in the game was Oregon plating eight runs in the top of the sixth. Arkansas had just take a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the fourth when Cylie Halvorson blasted a two-run home run wtih Rylin Hedgecock on base. In the bottom of the sixth, Arkansas' Kristina Foreman hit a solo home run to finish the scoring.
Saturday, May 20, Arkansas 5 - Notre Dame 0
Arkansas got an outstanding pitching performance from Chenise Delce. The Hogs just held a narrow 2-0 lead heading to the top of the seventh. That is when Reagan Johnson and Raigan Kramer reached base. Rylin Hedgecock then provided Arkansas with some breathing room when she sent a 3-run blast over the fence in left field. Notre Dame (30-19-1) saw its season end with this game. They had eliminated Harvard (29-17-1) earlier in the day.
Photos Courtesy of John D. James
