Defensive Miscues Bite Beavers in Game One

Thursday, May 11

Berkeley, Calif.

2:00 PM

Oregon State

27-24, 8-14

California

29-21, 5-16

Oregon State

California

May 11, 2017 | Softball

Box Score Box Score

By: Jeff Schmidt

BERKELEY, Calif. – The Oregon State softball team took an early lead in the series opener against California, but defensive miscues allowed the Golden Bears to score four runs in the third inning – which they held for a 4-3 victory.

The Beavers jumped on the board quickly after McKenna Arriola started things with a walk before back-to-back singles allowed a run to score. Two batters later, a single from Alysha Everett allowed another run to cross to give the Beavers a 2-0 lead.

California got on the board in the third after a pair of errors prolonged the inning and allowed the Bears to grab a 4-2 advantage.

Oregon State chipped away at its deficit in the following inning after a pair of walks and two singles scored a run. Stephanie Merwin started the inning with a walk before Jessica Garcia slapped an infield single to put two runners aboard. Arriola recorded her second walk of the game before Shelby Weeks hit her third single of the game to bring Merwin around.

The Beavers put four runners on base the final three frames, but could not find the equalizer.

Shelby Weeks had a career day at the plate, going 4-for-4 – career high hits – with a RBI. Alysha Everett and Lovie Lopez recorded the other two runs batted in.

Taylor Cotton threw the six inning affair, striking out six batters and giving up just one earned run.

Oregon State (27-24, 8-14 Pac-12) will continue the series tomorrow starting at 3 p.m., on the Pac-12 Networks.

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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