Softball Falls in 3-0 Setback to No. 24/22 Baylor

Friday, March 4

Fullerton, CA

5:30 PM

Oregon State

14-3

Baylor

13-3

Baylor

Oregon State

Photo by: Dave Nishitani/Oregon State Athletics

March 05, 2016 | Softball

Box Score

By: Athletic Communications

FULLERTON, Calif. – The 22nd-ranked Oregon State softball team fell to the No. 24/22-ranked Baylor Lady Bears, 3-0, on Friday night from Anderson Family Field at the Judi Garman Classic.

Over the first three innings, Oregon State (14-3) starter Meehra Nelson (9-2) and Baylor's Heather Stearns (5-1) staged a pitchers' duel with each only allowing a single hit in consecutive shutout frames. The Lady Bears (13-3) broke the scoreless deadlock on a pair of home runs in the top of the fourth – a solo shot to left and a two-run home run to left-center – to open up a 3-0 lead at the halfway point. The score would stand for the reminder of the matchup.

“You have to give Stearns credit,” Oregon State head coach Laura Berg said. “She stuck to her gameplan and we didn't. We swung at her changeup when it wasn't a strike, and when you do that, it becomes very effective. When the other pitcher has 12 strikeouts, it shows that we went with her gameplan and not ours.”

Nelson was charged with the loss despite holding Baylor to three runs on five hits with three strikeouts. Stearns picked up the win for the Lady Bears after holding the Beavers to three hits with 12 strikeouts in seven shutout innings.

Senior right-hander Bev Miller entered for Nelson in the fifth inning, working a clean frame before running into trouble in the top of the sixth. The Lady Bears led off with a walk, and with two outs on the board, moved the runner to third on a single to right while the batter moved to second on the throw home. However, Miller cut down the next batter swinging, holding the score at 3-0.

The Portland, Ore. native did not factor into the decision, but finished the night with a pair of strikeouts in three blank innings, allowing the Lady Bears two hits and a walk. For the season, Miller is 5-1 with a 2.14 ERA.

Each of sophomore left fielder Lovie Lopez, sophomore first baseman Alysha Everett and freshman right fielder Shelby Weeks accounted for one of three Beaver hits. Lopez picked up a double, while Weeks added a stolen base.

Lopez and Weeks were the only runners Oregon State left on base, as the Beavers were unable to drive in either from scoring position to crack Baylor's lead.

“Bev came in and got out of a tough situation,” Berg said. “We had a couple players – Lovie, Alysha, Shelby - who put a bat on the ball and squared it up pretty good. The biggest thing is that we're going to have ups and downs. It's a long season and we just have to remember to short memories. Flush this, let it go and come back ready to play tomorrow.”

For more information on the Oregon State softball team, follow the club's official Twitter account at Twitter.com/OregonStateSB, by Facebook at Facebook.com/OregonStateSB or on Instagram at Instagram.com/OregonStateSB.

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