College Softball News

2017 Women’s College World Series Day 1 Recap

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Day one of the Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City is in the books. The first day of competition brought all eight teams to ASA Hall of Fame Stadium for four games. Four teams advanced to the Winner’s bracket and will face off on Friday, while the four who fell short will have a rest day and return to the park for the elimination games on Saturday. Opening day was filled with dominant pitching, outstanding defensive plays, and offensive explosions. Below are the game-by-game recaps from Fastpitch News of the four games that took place on Thursday, June 1, 2017.

Game 1: Gators Come Out Hungry

Florida is no stranger to the Championship atmosphere of the WCWS at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City. The Gator offense came out aggressive from the first pitch, scoring in all four frames of the 8-0 run-rule victory over Texas A&M. The Aggies used three different pitchers during the game. The Gators scored eight runs on eight hits. Aleshia Ocasio led the offense after going 2-3 at the plate and produced three RBI on a home run over the right-center field wall. Sophomore pitcher and Player of the Year Kelly Barnhill owned the moment in the circle for Florida. In 4.0 innings of work, Barnhill faced 16 batters, struck out five, walked one, and scattered three hits. Only four Aggies reached base successfully in the game. The Gators who remain in the winner’s bracket will be back on the field Friday night at 6 p.m. CT against LSU. Texas A&M moves to the loser bracket and will play UCLA at 11 a.m. on Saturday.

Game 2: LSU Keeps Momentum Going

The LSU offense jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead after back-to-back doubles by Emily Griggs and Sahvanna Jaquish. The early lead resulted after just four pitches were thrown by UCLA’s Rachel Garcia. Garcia settled in and held the Tigers to minimal damage. The Bruins responded with a run of their own in the bottom of the third inning tying the game 1-1. In the top of the 5th, LSU pushed a run across on a controversial catcher obstruction call at the plate. The two runs were enough for LSU pitcher Allie Walljasper who threw all 7.0 innings for the Tigers. Walljasper surrendered one run in the game with one walk and an astonishing zero strikeouts. LSU will face Florida in the winner’s bracket on Friday night at 6 p.m. CT. UCLA will have a day off to recoup before getting back on the field on Saturday for the survival game starting at 11 a.m. CT against Texas A&M.

Game 3: Washington Tops Oregon

The Ducks and the Huskies kicked off game one of the nightcap and game three of the day. The first hit of the game didn’t arrive until the bottom of the second inning when Oregon’s Nikki Udria hit a dribbler into the three-four hole. The Huskies offense punched back in the top of the third and scored the first run of the game on a RBI single off the bat of Sis Bates. Washington extended their lead by adding two runs in the top of the seventh after a two-run home run by Kirstyn Thomas. The Ducks refused to go down quietly. In the bottom of the seventh Oregon was able to push one run across, but the Washington defense made two incredible plays to keep the ball in the infield limiting the what could have been damage. Taran Alvelo was dominant in the circle once again for the Huskies. Alvelo went the distance, tossing 7.0 innings, striking out three in crucial situations and scattering five hits. The Huskies move on in the winner’s bracket and will play Oklahoma in Friday’s nightcap beginning at 8:30 p.m. CT. Oregon will return to the ballpark and face Baylor in the survival game at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday.

Game 4: Sooners Continue Looking Strong and Steady

In the final game of the day, Baylor wasted no time putting pressure on the OU defense. Lindsey Cargill led off the game with a bunt single to third base. OU starting pitcher Paige Parker settled in and got out of the inning with the help of her defense. OU scored first in the bottom of the first frame in form of a sac fly hit by Fale Aiu. Nicole Pendley stepped into the box right after and launched the first pitch of her at-bat over the left field fence clearing the two Sooner’s on the bases. The Sooners scored one run in the third and tacked on another in the fourth making the score 6-1 heading into the fifth. Paige Lowary entered the game to relieve Parker in the top of the seventh. After a pair of Sooner defensive errors, Baylor hung around making the final score 6-3. One thing that stood out on the scoreboard after the conclusion of the game was OU’s four defensive errors. Oklahoma moves on to the winner’s bracket and will face Washington in game two of the evening beginning at 8:30 p.m. CT. Baylor will play Oregon on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. CT.

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