Oregon State
Michigan State (CSUF Worth Tournament)
Beavs Down Michigan State 3-1
March 05, 2004 | Softball
March 5, 2004
FULLERTON, Calif. - -
Adrienne Alo sparked No. 25 Oregon State to a 3-1 non-conference softball win over Michigan State on Friday with a 3-for-4 performance at Cal State-Fullerton's Worth Tournament. The Beavers upped their record to 17-6.
OSU struck first when Alo doubled in Alana Mendoza in the second inning to give OSU a 1-0 lead.
In the fifth, shortstop Kelly Petersen capitalized on a pair of wild pitches, scoring from third on the second wild pitch by Spartan pitcher Christy McGrew to give OSU a 2-0 cushion. The Beavers missed an opportunity to build a sizeable lead when Ingrid Lochelt grounded to second to end the inning with the bases loaded.
Michigan State (9-4) closed within 2-1 in sixth with a bases-loaded unearned run off an error by Petersen with two outs, but Beaver pitcher Monica Hoffman coaxed a groundout from MSU's Nicole Mercado to get out of the inning with the bases loaded.
Hoffman also pitched out of a jam in the first by striking out the final two (MSU) batters after loading the bases. MSU left the bases full in the seventh inning as well when Hoffman struck out Elizabeth Peterson to end the game.
"We got great pitching from Monica," OSU coach Kirk Walker said of Hoffman. "She had a shaky start in the first inning, but settled down and pitched a great game the rest of the way.
"Defensively, we opened the door late in the game, but Monica and the defense stepped it up and did a great job to close it out.
"Offensively, we made some great adjustments and put some runs across the plate." Petersen gave OSU the insurance run in the bottom of the sixth with a sacrifice fly to right that brought Alo home for the final of 3-1.
Hoffman pitched the complete game and improved to 9-4, giving up five hits and striking out eight.
Mia Longfellow went 2-for-2 while Alo tallied a pair of doubles.
"We got two good wins today against good teams, so we're looking forward to playing well tomorrow and hopefully getting two more 'W's'," Walker added.
The Beavers earned a 4-0 win over Cal-Santa Barbara earlier Friday on the strength of a one-hitter from Brianne McGowan.
"Brianne pitched a great ballgame, just one pitch away from a perfect game," Walker said of the freshman. "She was very impressive. She had great composure, and the defense was very solid behind her. Brianne just kept (UCSB) off balance and the defense made the plays."
OSU takes on Oklahoma State at 12 p.m. and CS-Fullerton at 6 p.m. on Saturday.
NO. 25 OREGON STATE 3, MICHIGAN STATE 1
Michigan State 000 001 0 - 1 5 2
Oregon State 010 011 x - 3 7 1
Joosten, McGrew (5) and Peterson (MSU). Hoffman and Allen (OSU). WP- Hoffman 9-4. LP- Joosten (1-1). 2B- Beech (MSU), Alo 2 (OSU).
