Ducks Win Thriller vs. Wisconsin

Saturday, May 20

Eugene, Ore.

2:00 PM

University of Oregon

49-6

Wisconsin

34-16

Oregon

Wisconsin

Photo by: Eric Evans/GoDucks.com

05/20/17 | Softball

Box Score Eugene Regional 3 Box 17

Oregon scored twice in the seventh to tie and once in the eighth to win on Saturday against Wisconsin.

By: Joe Waltasti

EUGENE, Ore. - The No. 3 seed Oregon softball team scored twice with two outs in the seventh to tie the game and scored once with two outs in the eighth to finish a thrilling comeback against Wisconsin, 6-5, on Saturday at Jane Sanders Stadium.

Oregon (49-6) scored six runs on nine hits with three errors while Wisconsin posted five runs on seven hits with three errors as well.

HOW IT HAPPENED: Freshman Shannon Rhodes, who went 3-for-4 in the game, lined a two-out double down the line in left to score a pair of runs in the seventh inning, tying the game at 5-5.

In the eighth inning, after Miranda Elish reached via error and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt, Danica Mercado singled up the middle to score Elish at home, narrowly beating a play at the plate for the game-winning run.

Oregon led early, scoring twice in the first inning. But the comeback was needed after Wisconsin hit a pair of two-run homers, one in a three-run third and another in the fifth inning. Down 5-2 after the fifth, Rhodes singled, stole second, advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on an Elish sacrifice fly to right.

RHODES ON FIRE: Freshman Shannon Rhodes has a team-high 14-game hitting streak. During the streak, the center fielder is hitting .524 (22-of-42) with three homers and 20 RBIs. She has tallied 13 of those 20 RBIs over the last five games.

IN THE CIRCLE: Maggie Balint (21-3) picked up her second win in as many days after tossing 4.1 innings of relief. The freshman allowed two runs on four hits with six strikeouts and one walk. Megan Kleist started for the Ducks, giving up three runs (one earned) on three hits in 3.2 innings with seven strikeouts and two walks. Kleist had five strikeouts through the first two innings.

UP NEXT: With the win, the Ducks move on to the regional championship on Sunday at 4 PM. It will be a rematch with the Badgers. In the double elimination format, the Ducks have to be beaten twice tomorrow but need to win just once. TV for tomorrow is TBA but the Ducks will be on one of the ESPN channels.

.@OregonSB defeats Wisconsin in EXTRA INNINGS to advance to the Regional Championship! ??#GoDucks pic.twitter.com/XmkEgk65q5
— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) May 20, 2017