Castaneda Comes Through for Utes in Walk-Off Win Over Oregon, 4-3

Friday, May 3

Salt Lake City, Utah

6:00 PM

University of Utah

17-32, 0

Oregon

21-26, 0

Oregon

Utah

Castaneda Comes Through for Utes in Walk-Off Win Over Oregon, 4-3

5/3/2019 8:59 PM | Softball

Box Score Utah 4 Oregon 3

SALT LAKE CITY - BreOnna Castaneda provided the late theatrics this evening as Utah Softball took the opener from Oregon, 4-3. The junior singled home Alyssa Barrera with two outs in the seventh to seal the victory.

And here it is. ??

Breonna Castaneda's walk-off hit is the @OpusBank #12Best moment of the game. pic.twitter.com/bjEVPWdVc4
— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) May 4, 2019

Castaneda, Barrera and Ally Dickman all collected a pair of hits while tonight's hero added a pair of runs batted in. Dickman made a key defensive play in the final inning, throwing out the would-be lead runner at third base to help Utah escape.

ALLY DICKMAN SHOWING OFF THE ????#GoUtes ???? pic.twitter.com/NSGt2HTPG8
— Utah Softball (@Utah_Softball) May 4, 2019

Barrera doubled to begin the seventh and with two outs, stole third. Castaneda ran the count full before delivering the game-winning hit.

Sydney Sandez earned her second-straight win in relief and ninth of the season, while starter Hailey Hilburn allowed no earned runs in 4 1/3 innings

Oregon loaded the bases to start the game but Hilburn struck out April Utecht on three pitches and got Cherish Burks to hit the ball back to the circle, starting a 1-2-3 double play.

Julia Noskin walked to open it up for the Utes and Dickman followed with her sixth-straight hit, a single through the left side. After a walk to Ellessa Bonstrom, Barrera was hit with a pitch to force in a run. Castaneda ripped a single to left for another and an early 2-0 lead.

In the third, Bonstrom walked for the second time and Barrera laid down a perfect bunt to put a pair on. After Hilburn moved both runners up, a passed ball brought in the freshman shortstop.

Oregon put a pair on in the fourth but Hilburn induced a ground ball from Katelyn Howard to keep the Ducks off the board.

OU threatened again in the fifth with runners on the corners and two outs. After a change in the circle to Sandez, Rachel Cid singled to break through for the visitors. Luckily, Alyssa Palacios cut off Barrera's throw home and Utah was able to get an out on the play. It proved to be a pivotal out as Utecht then clobbered her 10th homer of the season to tie the score.

In the bottom half, Noskin walked and Dickman stayed hot with a single up the middle. After a strikeout, Barrera was hit with a pitch to load the bases. Unfortunately, Jordan Dail got a soft liner to short and a pop to second to keep it knotted, 3-3.

Dail started the sixth with eight straight balls to Makayla Hurst and Palacios to create another scoring chance for Utah. Sandez bunted the runners over but Noskin hit one back to the circle which set up a force on Jordyn Gasper at the plate. Then Dail's seventh strikeout got Oregon off the hook once more before the dramatic final frame.

Tomorrow is Bark in the Park at the stadium with the outfield berm available to all spectators and their pets. First pitch between the Utes and Ducks is scheduled for noon.