Oregon miscue sparks Utah's seventh-inning rally in Ducks' Pac-12 softball tournament loss

Oregon was one out away from a quarterfinals win in its Pac-12 softball tournament opener.

That was one out too many.

Defending conference champion Utah scored four runs in the top of the seventh inning as the sixth-seeded Utes defeated the third-seeded Ducks 7-4 on Thursday at Smith Family Stadium in Stanford, California.

Oregon was eliminated from the tournament with the loss.

Oregon gave itself a chance to erase its deficit in the bottom of the seventh when it had two runners on base with one out to twice bring the potential game-tying run to the plate but KK Humphreys and Remmington Hewitt both struck out to end the game.

The Ducks (28-19) led 4-3 going into the seventh after scoring the go-ahead run in the bottom of the sixth on a bases-loaded error by Utah outfielder Haley Denning, who dropped a shallow pop up by Oregon’s Emma Kauf with the bases loaded. 

In the seventh, Ducks' pitcher Morgan Scott allowed back-to-back inning-opening singles but then got two infield outs.

With runners on second and third base, Scott attempted to intentionally walk Utah's Julia Jimenez but her third pitch in the at-bat wasn’t caught by Kauf behind the plate and Denning came home on the miscue to tie the score 4-4. 

One batter later, freshman Shonty Passi launched a pitch over the fence in left field for a three-run home run — just her third homer of the season.

The Utes’ rally concluded a game of uncharacteristic errors and poor defense by the Ducks, who came into the day ranked 23rd nationally and third in the Pac-12 in fielding percentage (.975). 

Besides Kauf’s passed ball, Oregon committed two errors for only its seventh game this season of two or more errors. 

Starter Elise Sokolsky pitched 4.2 innings and allowed six hits and three runs, though just one was earned.

Ariel Carlson went 2-for-2 with two doubles and two runs scored. Kauf and Vallery Wong drove in runs in the first inning as the Ducks took a 2-0 lead. 

What's next for Oregon?

The Ducks will now await their NCAA Tournament fate. The NCAA selection show will air live on ESPN2 at 4 p.m. Sunday.

Follow Chris Hansen on X@chansen_RG or email atchansen@registerguard.com.