Beavers Complete Comeback Over Houston

Saturday, February 25

Palm Springs, Calif.

12:30 PM

Oregon State

8-3

Houston

5-10

Oregon State

Houston

February 25, 2017 | Softball

Box Score Box Score vs. Houston

By: Jeff Schmidt

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. – The Oregon State softball team took the University of Houston to eight innings to complete a comeback and record a 7-6 victory at the Mary Nutter Classic on Saturday afternoon.

The Cougars jumped out to a 5-0 lead before the Beavers got on the board in the top of the third. Oregon State started the inning recording a single from Jessica Garcia and then advanced to second on a wild pitch. Two batters later Shelby Weeks continued her hit streak with a single to left field to score Garcia. Weeks has recorded a hit in every game so far this season.

Natalie Hampton cut into the deficit further in the inning, with a two-run home run to get the Beavs within two. Alyssa Pelegrin joined the bomb squad and narrowed the gap to one in the top of the fourth with her second home run of the season.

The Beavers defense was solid down the stretch, allowing just two Houston base runners to get on. In the seventh, the Beavers' offense found a rhythm after Weeks doubled to left center, which scored McKenna Arriola from first to tie the game up 5-5. Three batters later, Alysha Everett kept the inning going taking the first pitch with two outs and sending it to right field that allowed Weeks to score and take the lead.

Houston responded in the bottom half of the inning with a run to tie the game back up and force extra innings.

The international tie breaker rule became in effect and Riley Gregoire started the inning at second base. The Beavers put up back-to-back outs before pinch hitter Katy McJunkin came to bat. The junior ripped a double off the center field fence to score Gregoire and gave Oregon State the lead again.

Houston threatened in the bottom of the eighth by getting two runners in scoring position, but the Beavers held strong and kept the Cougars from scoring to complete the comeback.

Weeks and Hampton lead the offense with two RBI, while Weeks and Pelegrin both recorded two hits.

Meehra Nelson started the game and hurled two innings, recording two strikeouts and four hits. Nerissa Eason came in as relief and pitched the rest of the six innings. The pair combined for three strikeouts and seven hits.

Oregon State (8-3) will conclude action at the Mary Nutter Classic tomorrow with games against Nebraska and St. John's.

For more information on the Oregon State softball team, follow the team's official Twitter and Instagram accounts at @BeaverSoftball or by Facebook at /BeaverSoftball.

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