Oregon Softball is heading back to the Women’s College World Series for the second straight year and their fourth time in five years because of an 11-1 mercy rule victory over the Kentucky Wildcats Saturday night. The Ducks were in control nearly all afternoon as they scored 7 runs in the second inning. Shannon Rhodes led off the second inning taking the first pitch she saw over the right field wall. Three at bats later, senior Jenna Lilley laced a single down the first base line to score Mia Camuso. Finally with the bases loaded, another senior, DJ Sanders, unleashed on a 1-0 fastball and hit a grand slam over the left-centerfield wall. With a comfortable 7-0 lead after two full innings, Oregon continued to pile on scoring four more runs in the third and fourth innings. In Gwen Svekis’s last at-bat in Jane Sanders Stadium, she hit her fourth career triple to the right field wall to score DJ Sanders and Alexis Mack. With a comfortable 10-0 lead for right hander Miranda Elish, she finally surrendered her first run in her four appearances this postseason allowing a solo shot to Brooklin Hinz. Nonetheless, Elish was incredible going 5 complete innings, allowing 1 run on 4 hits. The Ducks will await their opponent, but have booked themselves their second consecutive trip to Oklahoma City to play in the 2018 Women’s College World Series.

Game Story: (By: Bill Braker)

Post Game Audio

Head Coach Mike White, Miranda Elish, and DJ Sanders

Head Coach Rachel Lawson, Brooklin Hinz, and Jenny Schaper

Catcher Gwen Svekis