NORMAN REGIONAL : Oregon KO’s UA in NCAA regional

ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE

Posted on Sunday, May 18, 2008

URL: http://www.wholehogsports.com/adg/226094/

NORMAN, Okla. — Arkansas’ offense never got untracked Saturday night as Oregon defeated the Lady Razorbacks 3-0 to advance to today’s championship game at the NCAA regional tournament at the OU Softball Complex.

Arkansas was playing its second game of the day after being knocked into the losers bracket Saturday afternoon by host Oklahoma. The Sooners defeated the Lady Razorbacks 6-5 in 11 innings, and Arkansas’ offense never seemed to get it going against Oregon.

“I want to first off express how proud I am of this ball club” Arkansas Coach Jamie Pinkerton said. “As disappointing as it is right now, the seniors and the heart of Arkansas softball are really devastated. The team was emotionally spent, and after the first inning they did a heck of a job to come out and play.

“ This bunch always has a way of fighting till the last out. We never felt that we were out of the game.”

Oregon jumped on Arkansas with three runs in the bottom of the first and never looked back. Sari-Jane Jenkins reached on a leadoff walk, stole second and was sacrificed to third by Lovena Chaput. Neena Bryant hit a sacrifice fly to center that brought in Jenkins. With two outs, Joanna Gail doubled to left-center before Monique Fuiava hit a two-run home run to right-center.

That was all it took as Arkansas managed only five hits in the game, led by Dayna Huckabee’s 2-for-3 performance.

It was quite a contrast from the first game, when Arkansas pounded out 13 hits.

Arkansas forced extra innings against Oklahoma thanks to Miranda Dixon’s home run in the bottom of the seventh inning, but Oklahoma (45-12 ) won it with Savannah Long’s home run in the 11 th.

D. J. Mathis nailed down the victory with a scoreless 11 th. She went the distance, allowing 5 runs on 13 hits and striking out 10.

“We needed to win that game,” Oklahoma Coach Patty Gasso said. “Honestly, we are very thankful to squeeze that one out because we were not at our best by any means.

“ I give [Arkansas ] credit, but we are very pleased to be in the championship game.”

Long led the Sooners by going 3 for 6 with 2 RBI. Wendy Trott also had a home run in the sixth.

Dixon led the Lady Razorbacks, going 3 for 6 with 2 RBI, 1 home run and 2 runs scored. Dixon’s 13 th home run this season gave her 20 for her career, tying the school record.

Huckabee was 3 for 4 with 1 RBI against Oklahoma, and Sandra Smith was 2 for 5 with 2 RBI.

“The first game was a great game,” Pinkerton said. “It was a great atmosphere, and it’s what a regional should be about.” Norman Regional At OU Softball Complex Norman, Okla. FRIDAY’S GAMES Arkansas 7, Tulsa 5 Oklahoma 6, Oregon 0 SATURDAY’S GAMES Oklahoma 6, Arkansas 5, 11 innings Oregon 1, Tulsa 0, Tulsa eliminated Oregon 3, Arkansas 0, Arkansas eliminated

TODAY GAME 6 Oklahoma (45-12 ) vs. Oregon (35-29 ), 2 p. m. GAME 7 Oklahoma vs. Oregon, 4: 30 p. m., if necessary