Strong Pitching Too Much for Beavers in Home Opener

Monday, March 13

Corvallis, Ore.

1:00 PM

Oregon State

15-8

Minnesota

22-2

Minnesota

Oregon State

Photo by: Scobel Wiggins/Oregon State Athletics

March 13, 2017 | Softball

Box Score Box Score vs. Minnesota

By: Jeff Schmidt

CORVALLIS, Ore. – The Oregon State softball team opened its 2017 home schedule today against number seven ranked Minnesota, falling 6-0 in a wet afternoon at the OSU Softball Complex. The opener lasted 3:18 due to an hour rain delay in the top of the first inning.

The Gophers got through two batters in the first frame before the rain delay ensued. Following the pause, Minnesota jumped out to a 3-0 lead after the first inning.

The Beavers went down in order to start the game, but put its first base runner on in the bottom of the second after Natalie Hampton lead off with a single down the right-field line. OSU would advance the pinch runner Riley Gregoire to second in the inning, but would strand her there as it went down in order.

Minnesota added to its lead in the third inning after a pair of hits to lead, 5-0.

Oregon State put five runners on base over the next four innings, but could not get any across home. The Gophers added an insurance run in the top of the seventh with a solo home run to lead 6-0 heading into the bottom half of the final inning.

The Beavs started the final frame with a walk and later hit back-to-back singles with two outs to load the bases, but again failed to convert.

Natalie Hampton finished leading the Beavers with three hits, while McKenna Arriola and Shelby Weeks each added one. Taylor Cotton made her 11th start of the season and was tabbed with the loss after pitching the complete game recording four strikeouts and giving up 10 hits.

Oregon State (15-8) will stay in Corvallis this weekend and host No. 4 Arizona for a three-game series starting at 1 p.m., Friday afternoon at the OSU Softball Complex.

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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