Oregon State
Oregon
Beavers Fall to Oregon, 9-0, Despite Record Crowd
April 11, 2016 | Softball
CORVALLIS, Ore. – The Oregon State softball team drew its second-consecutive record crowd at the OSU Softball Complex on Sunday, but fell to the No. 6/7-ranked Oregon Ducks, 9-0, in five innings.
The official attendance for Sunday's game was a record crowd of 1,155, marking the second-straight game at the OSU Softball Complex that broke the facility's attendance record. The OSU Softball Complex held 1,012 on Saturday, breaking the previous high of 1,008 that had stood since a game against Arizona on May 5, 2007.
“It's awesome to have this kind of atmosphere at the OSU Softball Complex,” Oregon State head coach Laura Berg said. “This is a postseason atmosphere. To have this kind of turn out and have all of our fans here supporting the Beavers is fantastic.”
After Oregon (32-6, 10-2 Pac-12) jumped out to a 4-0 lead through two innings, Oregon State (24-12-1, 4-8 Pac-12) committed three errors as four of the Ducks' final five runs down the stretch were unearned. Oregon outhit Oregon State, 9-3, with five of the Ducks' hits going for extra bases on three home runs and a pair of doubles. The Beavers' hits were accounted for by shortstop McKenna Arriola, right fielder Shelby Weeks and second baseman Mikela Manewa.
“We just didn't play well,” Berg said. “You give up seven free bags to the No. 6 team in the nation and that's going to be the outcome every single time. If you don't make the plays that you need to defensively, the errors are going to kill you, and that's what happened.”
LHP Cheridan Hawkins (13-3) was the winning pitcher for Oregon, allowing three Beaver hits with four strikeouts in a complete-game outing. Right-hander Meehra Nelson (13-6) was charged with the loss for Oregon State after allowing the Ducks four runs on two home runs with two strikeouts in two innings pitched. Righty Bev Miller did not factor into the decision in three innings of relief, allowing one earned run (five total) on five hits and three walks with three strikeouts.
Oregon opened the game with a 4-0 lead with two home runs in as many innings. A Koral Costa solo home run opened the scoring in the top of the first, while a three-run home run by the Ducks' Janelle Lindvall extended the advantage to four runs. The second scoring frame was set up by a leadoff walk from Jenna Lilley and a one-out Lauren Lindvall double just inside the left field line.
Each of the Ducks' final five runs came in the top of the fourth inning. The rally began with two outs in the frame, with the scoring opening on an Alyssa Gillespie RBI double to right. A misplay on a Nikki Udria single to shallow center allowed Gillespie to score and a throwing error in the next at-bat allowed Udria to score, while allowing Costa to reach first base safely. The error kept the inning alive, allowing Oregon's Geri Ann Glasco to punish the defensive miscues in the next at-bat with a homer to center that capped the scoring at 9-0.
“We've got 50 games in the season and you always know you're going to get another shot to get a win,” Berg said. “We've got to flush this one and come out ready to play on Tuesday.”
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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