May 21, 2010
ATLANTA — Oregon’s Jessica Moore pitched a complete game shutout to lead the No. 2-seeded Ducks to a 1-0 win over No. 3-seeded Auburn in the first game of the 2010 NCAA Softball Atlanta Regional at Shirley Mewborn Field Friday.
“We’re excited about the win,” Oregon head coach Mike White said. “It’s showing this year that when we play tight defense we can win games.
After a one hour and 25 minute rain delay, Moore and the Tigers’ Anna Thompson went pitch-for-pitch over the first five innings before the Ducks broke through in the bottom of the sixth inning.
“[Moore] came and pitched lights out,” White said. “I told her before the game that we needed a tough stop and she was able to give it to us.”
Auburn had its chances throughout the day, leaving eight runners on base. The Tigers threatened in the top of the fifth inning against Moore, getting a pair of runners on base with two outs. Katie Colton placed a perfect bunt down the third-base line for a base hit but Krista Clyde journeyed a little too far off of third base and was thrown out by Monique Fuiva to end the threat.
The Tigers once again had a chance to take the lead in the top of the sixth after putting runners on second and third with only one out but Lauren Guzman lined a shot to right field that was caught by Sam Pappas. The Ducks right fielder threw home, where Oregon doubled-up Kyndall White on her way back to third base.
Oregon finally broke the scoreless tie in the bottom of the sixth behind a single by Allie Burger to leadoff the inning, who then advanced to second on a throwing error by the shortstop. Burger moved to second on a sacrifice and scored on a bunt base hit by Kelsey Chambers. The Ducks Fuiava looked to had given her team a 3-0 lead but her homerun but it was called back when pitch runner Courtney Kivett left first base too soon and was called out.
The Tigers once again had a chance to get on the board in the top of the seventh but with a runner one first and third and two outs, Chambers made a diving grab at shortstop and made a great throw across the diamond to seal the win for the Ducks.
“We made a couple mistakes, had several opportunities to get it done,” Auburn head coach Tina Deese said. “Our defense played well. It was that kind of ballgame, that’s how it goes. We had the momentum, we had the hits, but it’s the team that gets the runs that wins. [Oregon] stepped up. I have to hand it to them.”
Oregon will await the winner of tonight’s Georgia Tech-Jacksonville State game. The two winning teams will face off Saturday at noon, while Auburn will meet Friday night’s second losing team at 2:30 p.m. in the first elimination game of the regional.
-NCAA Atlanta Regional-
