NORWICH, Conn. (AP) — Andrew Mendenhall came on as a defensive replacement for Oregon in the ninth inning and made a leaping catch to rob Connecticut of a potential game-tying hit, and the Ducks beat the Huskies 4-3 Sunday to reach the final of the NCAA Norwich Regional.
Madison Boer struck out George Springer with a runner on second to end the game and earn his fifth save.
Billy Ferriter and John Andreoli — UConn's No. 8 and 9 hitters — hit consecutive singles to open the ninth, but Mendenhall climbed the wall in left to rob Pierre LePage of at least a double.
Oregon (40-23) advances to face Florida State on Sunday night. If the Ducks win that game, they play the Seminoles Monday night to decide the regional champion.
Connecticut (48-16) put runners on the corners with no outs in the eighth, but Scott McGough settled down and struck out the side.
K.C. Serna went 3 for 3 with two runs for Oregon.
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