Box score
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Freshman Amber Freeman sparked the offense and sophomore Dallas Escobedo has a strong effort in the pitching circle as Arizona State took its first step toward defending its Women's College World Series title Thursday night with a 3-1 win over Oregon.
ASU (52-9) pushed across the game's first run in the bottom of the first when Freeman doubled off the right-field wall to score Haley Steele. The double was Freeman's eighth of the season and increased her RBI total to 41 on the year.
Freeman increased ASU's lead in the third when she slapped a grounder to shortstop Kelsey Chambers, who misplayed it off her chest as the runner crossed in front of her. The error allowed both Katelyn Boyd and Talor Haro to score, giving the Sun Devils a 3-0 lead.
"Before the game, honestly, I was a little nervous," Freeman said. "But when I stepped into the box, I just told myself it was just another softball game. I've been playing softball my whole life.
"So I just looked at it like that, to keep myself relaxed, because this is a big deal. This has been my dream since I was a little girl."
Playing in the WCWS for the first time in 23 years, the Ducks (44-17) were without first baseman Kailee Cuico, who was suspended in the Super Regional for two games. Oregon's home run and RBI leader sat in the stands.
Oregon threatened in the seventh after Christie Nieto -- playing in place of Cuico -- doubled off the fence in left-center and scored later in the inning to make it 3-1.
But with two runners on and nobody out, ASU freshman Haley Steele speared a line drive at third and stepped on the bag for a double play, and Dallas Escobedo finished off the win by striking out pinch hitter Hannah Melick with a runner on second.
"It was a hell of a play," ASU coach Clint Myers said. "She's a freshman, and she's going to be a great player before she runs out of eligibility at Arizona State."
Escobedo gave up five hits, walked one and struck out five to improve to 24-6 on the year. The win was the 63rd of her ASU career, tying her with Desiree Serrano for sixth most in school history.
Third-seeded ASU, looking to become the third program to win back-to-back national titles, will play second-seeded Alabama at 6:30 p.m. Friday in the winners' bracket.
The Crimson Tide (56-7) batted around and scored four runs in the first inning of their game against Tennessee on Thursday and held on for a 5-3 win. ASU and Alabama last played at the World Series in 2009, with Alabama posting a 6-2 victory.
