FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Clutch hitting, spectacular defense and a quality start in the circle all added up to an Oregon win in the UO softball team's NCAA Regional opener Friday night.
The Ducks scored five runs in the second inning, then held on through a long rain delay and a rally by Notre Dame to beat the Irish, 5-4. Oregon advanced to face regional host Arkansas at Bogle Park on Saturday, after the Razorbacks beat Harvard on Friday night.
Stevie Hansen (19-6) went five innings for the Ducks and allowed two runs, while benefiting from stout defense including a robbed home run by center fielder Hanna Delgado.