In Potential Howe Field Swan Song, Hovinga Wins Regional Clincher

Saturday, May 16

Howe Field

1:00 PM

University of Oregon

49-6

#24 NDSU

45-11

Oregon

North Dakota State

Photo by: GoDucks.com

In Potential Howe Field Swan Song, Hovinga Wins Regional Clincher

05/16/15 | Softball

Box Score

By: GoDucks.com

by Rob Moseley
Editor, GoDucks.com

Recent history shows that, come Super Regionals, UO softball coach Mike White is prone to starting his No. 1 pitcher every time out. Thus, when Karissa Hovinga rather than ace Cheridan Hawkins got the ball for Saturday's potential NCAA Regional clincher, the significance wasn't lost on Hovinga.

Here she was, when Oregon faced North Dakota State, with one more chance — perhaps only one more chance — to pitch at Howe Field. "I just wanted to leave with a good memory," said Hovinga, a senior, "potentially the last time I'll be out there."

Mission, accomplished.

The Ducks could afford to lose Saturday afternoon, given that they were 2-0 in the regional's double-elimination format. But Hovinga didn't let it come down to a rematch later in the day.

Hovinga threw six-plus innings of two-hit softball while allowing only one unearned run in a 6-1 victory that propelled Oregon into next week's Super Regionals. "I think that's one of the best games I've seen her throw in her career," said White, now 18-0 in Regionals as UO coach. "At a huge moment for us, a huge time."

Hovinga faced the minimum through five innings, and got a strikeout to escape a bases-loaded jam in the sixth. Her error on a comebacker allowed the leadoff hitter in the seventh to reach, and though she was pulled after allowing an RBI single, Hawkins came on to slam the door and preserve the win for Hovinga (11-1).

Saturday's start was the 62nd of Hovinga's career, among 114 career appearances. She improved to 44-6 overall, with a 2.38 ERA, and if that was her final appearance at Howe Field, it will be a cherished memory. "It felt really good to have a good result," she said, before quickly adding: "But I'll also be ready next weekend, of course."

Hovinga was supported by Oregon's typically balanced offense, as the Ducks (49-6) scored in four different innings thanks to hits by seven of nine starters. Hailey Decker's two-run homer got things started in the first, and Janelle Lindvall singled in the third to score Janie Takeda, who later hit a solo homer.

About the only spot where the Ducks hadn't received production this weekend was the No. 8 hole. That was filled Saturday by Lauren LIndvall, who watched the Bison walk No. 7 hitter Koral Costa three times to get to her.

Lindvall made them pay after the second walk to Costa, lining a two-run double off the wall. "They're just loaded all the way through the lineup," said NDSU coach Darren Mueller, who called Oregon the best team in the country. "… One through nine, anybody could get a hit at any time."

Lindvall's double made it 5-0 in the top of the fifth — the Ducks were designated the visiting team Saturday — and Hovinga responded with her fifth straight 1-2-3 inning, the second in which a double play erased a baserunner.

Hovinga said White told her earlier in the week that she needed to be ready to make a start this weekend. She didn't find out until Saturday's pregame meeting to review video and scouting reports that she'd be getting the call in the potential Regional clincher.

Hawkins faced — and beat — North Dakota State on Friday. Like Hawkins, pitchers for the other two teams at the Regional, Fresno State and BYU, featured riseballs, and White thought Hovinga's reliance on horizontal movement would be a tough adjustment for the Bison hitters.

His instincts proved correct. Hovinga allowed just one hit through six innings, escaping a bases loaded situation in the sixth that included a hit batter and a walk. "Just that movement — it breaks in to a righty — and the off-speed stuff, the second inning we kind of adjusted a little, but we probably didn't adjust as fast as we should," Mueller said.

Hovinga's style put more pressure on Oregon's infield defense, and the Ducks delivered. Hawkins is prone to coaxing flyballs and popups by working up in the zone, but Hovinga provided a heavy workload for the infielders, with third baseman Jenna Lilley assisting on five outs.

"Not only is she a great pitcher, she's a great teammate," said Decker, the UO first baseman. "She's really level-headed. She's great to play behind as a defense."

Hovinga showed off her level-headedness after the game. In the same moment, she revealed her appreciation for the chance to go out with a bang at Howe Field — but also her readiness should another outing next week loom.

"Cheridan's the best in the country," Hovinga said. "But I'll just be ready."

EUGENE ALL-REGIONAL TEAM

MVP Cheridan Hawkins, Oregon

C Alyssa Reina, NDSU (.364 BA, 2 2B, 2 RBI) 
1B Hailey Decker, Oregon (HR, 5 R, 3 RBI) 
2B Cheyenne Garcia, NDSU (.333 BA, HR, 2 2B, 9 TB) 
3B Amanda Grable, NDSU (.333 BA, 4 RBI)
SS Nikki Udria, Oregon (.333 BA, 2 2B, 2 RBI, 1.000 fld%) 
OF Janie Takeda, Oregon (.545 BA, 5 R, 2 2B, HR, 1 RBI, 2 SB, 11 TB) 
OF Koral Costa, Oregon (HR, 2 2B, 3 R, 4 RBI, 4 BB)
OF Michelle Solomon, Fresno State (.500 BA, HR, 2 R)
UT Jenna Lilley, Oregon (.545 OBA, 2B, RBI, 1.000 fld%)
P Cheridan Hawkins, Oregon (3 app, 1.50 ERA, 2-0, 14.0 IP, 4 H, 25 K)
P Krista Menke, NDSU (4 app, 2.59 ERA, 2-2, 2 SHO, 4 CG, 27.0 IP, 29 K)