2017 Women’s College World Series Day 4 Recap
The fourth day of the WCWS competition at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City brought four teams back to the playing field. Washington and Oregon made their way back through the Loser’s bracket to face off against the two Winner’s bracket teams, Florida and Oklahoma. The schedule was set up for Washington to face Florida and Oregon would take on Oklahoma following. For either Loser bracket team to advance to the Championship Series beginning on Monday, they would need to win twice on Sunday. Below is what happened.
Game 11: Florida Offensive Stays Hot, Gators Advance
It was no surprise that Taran Alvelo got the start for Washington in the circle. On a 2-2 count in the top of the first, Kayli Kvistad blasted a pitch over the center field wall putting the Gators up 1-0. Alvelo struggled to find the zone early, tossing 36 pitches in the opening frame but was able to settle in and get out of the jam. Gator senior pitcher Delanie Gourley got the nod in the circle for Florida, her first start in a College World Series. Gourley owned the opportunity and breezed through the first inning. After a leadoff walk and infield single in the top of the second, Gator Amanda Lorenz hit a line drive up the middle tacking on another run. Kvistad followed up with a line drive up the middle of her own, scoring two more runs and pushing the lead to 4-0. A pitching change for Washington in the top of the second brought in Madi Schreyer, her first appearance at the WCWS. Florida added an insurance run in the top of the fifth extending their lead to 5-0. In the bottom of the seventh with two outs, Washington’s Julia DePonte hit a towering two-run homer giving the Huskies life. Gourley buckled down and recorded the final out with a dribbler to first base. The senior tossed all 7.0 innings in the 5-2 victory, she gave up two hits, recorded one walk and struck out an impressive 10 Husky batters. Florida is the first team to advance to the Championship Series which will begin on Monday.
Kayli Kvistad's homer started off the Gator run against Washington! #WCWS pic.twitter.com/f93HTkCRj2
— NCAA Softball (@NCAAsoftball) June 4, 2017
Game 12: Oklahoma Rallies Past Oregon to Advance
Game two on Sunday kicked off with Oregon taking on Oklahoma. Oregon would need to beat the Sooner’s twice in order to move on to the Championship Series on Monday. Sophomore Megan Kleist earned the start in the circle for the Ducks. Oklahoma threatened in the bottom of the second but was unable to push one across. Oregon’s Lauren Lindvall led off the top of the third inning with a double and that is where she would remain. Oregon got on the board first in the top of the fifth. Jenna Lilley singled and was cleared off the bases by a two-out laser that cleared the right field fence by Danica Mercado. The Sooners responded in the bottom of the frame after an Oregon error and single got runners on base. Nicole Mendez hit into a fielder’s choice and Oregon’s shortstop threw home, but not in time. Caleigh Clifton stepped into the box with runners on first and second with no outs. Clifton moved the runners over on a sac bunt bringing Shay Knighten to the plate. Knighten punched a bloop hit to right field scoring both runs and just like that Oklahoma took the lead 3-2. Pendley added to the lead on a ripped double down the right field line scoring Knighten making the score 4-2. Paige Lowary entered the game in relief for Paige Parker in the top of the sixth. Lowary retired all six batters in order that she faced earning her the save, while Parker was awarded the win.
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2017 Women’s College World Series: Florida vs. Oklahoma
