Nine outs way from staying alive for at least one more game, the Oregon softball team instead saw its season end in frustrating, heartbreaking fashion Sunday. Up two after a Danica Mercado home run that broke a scoreless tie in the top of the fifth, the Ducks (54-8) suffered defensive breakdowns in the bottom of the inning that helped defending national champion Oklahoma score four times. The comeback, the first by any team at this year’s Women’s College World Series, propelled the Sooners (59-9) to a 4-2 victory before 9,419 fans at USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium, and into a three-game championship series with Florida beginning Monday. After losing its opener Thursday but bouncing back with two wins Saturday, Oregon needed to beat the Sooners twice to advance to the title series. The Ducks seemed to be on track to force a decisive second game later Sunday, until the defensive breakdowns.
