Before a record crowd of 1,679 at Howe Field, the #3 Oregon Ducks fell to the #14 Nebraska Huskers during the first game of their series in the NCAA Super Regional. After four scoreless innings, the Huskers five runs in the fifth inning alone, including a game-changing grand slam by Nebraska player Brooke Thomason.
The best-of-three game series continues on Sunday at 12:00pm (PST) at Howe Field in Eugene, OR with a tiebreaker at 3:00pm, if necessary.
Nebraska right fielder Brooke Thomason, far left, is greeted at home plate by her entire team after hitting a grand slam in the fifth inning to put the Cornhuskers up 5-0. The #3 Oregon Ducks fall 5-2 to the #14 Nebraska Huskers at Howe Field during game one of the NCAA Super Regional tournament. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
Oregon’s Samantha Pappas leaps into the air after narrowly avoiding a collision with her team mate Kaylan Howard as the pair struggle to reign in a fly ball from Huskers player Alicia Armstrong during the top of the fifth inning. The pair missed a fly ball in the outfield due to miscommunication between the players, and Armstrong capitalized on the opportunity to score a run soon after. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
Ten year old Peyton Rodriguez reacts in despair after Nebraska’s game-changing grand slam in the fifth inning, making it a 5-0 lead for the Cornhuskers. Peyton and her five year old sister, Aubrey (right) were attending their first-ever game at Howe Field. The McMinnville residents were part of a sell-out crowd of 1,679, the largest in Howe Field history. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
Oregon pitcher Jessica Moore, center, screams in celebration along with her teammate Janelle Lindvall after Lindvall outed Huskers infielder Mattie Fowler (17) at home plate during the top of the third inning. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
Mike Griffith attempts to catch a foul ball with his sweatshirt as his wife, Elsa, extends her hands upwards in anticipation. Huskers player Taylor Edwards served up the foul ball during the top of the seventh inning. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
Nebraska infielder Mattie Fowler extends to tag out Oregon player Kaylan Howard at first base during the bottom of the fifth inning. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
Oregon head coach Mike White reacts during the bottom of the seventh and final inning, with his Ducks trailing 5-2 behind the Nebraska Huskers. The loss to Nebraska snapped a 24-game overall home winning streak for the Ducks and was the first loss of the season at home for Oregon in 20 games. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
Ducks junior utility player Kailee Cuico safely slides into second base as Huskers freshman infielder Alicia Armstrong drops the incoming pass during the bottom of the first inning. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
The Nebraska Huskers celebrate with their contingent of fans who traveled over 1,600 miles from the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, NE to cheer on the Huskers’ upset victory over the 3rd-ranked Ducks at Howe Field. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
Oregon junior infielder Courtney Ceo shouts encouragement to her teammates as the Ducks attempt a desperate rally during the bottom of the seventh inning, trailing 5-2 to the Nebraska Huskers. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
Huskers infielder Mattie Fowler is tagged out by Oregon catcher Janelle Lindvall as Fowler attempts to slide into home plate during the top of the third inning. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
Oregon senior outfielder Allie Burger strikes out during the bottom of the sixth inning, as the Ducks try desperately to claw their way back from a 5-0 hole. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
Nebraska head coach Rhonda Revelle is in familiar territory with her Huskers facing Super Regional competition. In her 21st season as head coach, Revelle is the winningest coach in Nebraska softball history and is ranked 17th nationally among Division I coaches in wins at current school. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
Oregon infielder Courtney Ceo bites her lip as she peers around Huskers player Mattie Fowler near first base during the bottom of the sixth inning. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
Oregon freshman outfielder Alyssa Gillespie flashes a grin as she slides in for a catch during pre-game warmups. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
An energetic Nebraska head coach Rhonda Revelle, background, jumps enthusiastically behind first base as Huskers senior outfielder Brooke Thomason attempts to beat the incoming pass to Ducks player Kailee Cuico. Thomason was ruled out at first base. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
Oregon senior pitcher Jessica Moore winds up during the top of the fourth inning, as the game remained scoreless. Moore, the Pac-12 pitcher of the year, only lasted five innings in the game, giving up six hits, three walks, and five runs scored during the fifth inning. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
Junior catcher Alexa Peterson warms up Oregon’s Karissa Hovinga in the bullpen during the top of the fifth inning, after the Huskers scored five straight runs with Ducks starting pitcher Jessica Moore on the mound. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
Senior right-handed pitcher Jessica Moore is introduced to the sellout home crowd at Howe Field, with an announced attendance of 1,679. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)