Oregon State
Nebraska
Cavestany's Grand Slam Highlights Beavers' Toppling of No. 20 Nebraska
February 11, 2012 | Softball
Feb. 11, 2012
OSU 11 Nebraska 3 (6) Box Score 
TEMPE, Ariz. - Lea Cavestany smothered a second-inning grand slam over the center field fence and Tina Andreana allowed only four hits while striking out five, as the Oregon State softball team capped off a successful opening weekend at the Kajikawa Classic, trouncing No. 20 Nebraska, 11-3, on Saturday night.
With the win, the Beavers improved their record on the young season to 3-2, with each win coming by way of the mercy rule.
"The girls were focused from the get-go," Head Coach Kirk Walker said. "I'm proud of the way they bounced back after those close losses yesterday. To see our offense produce like that against a nationally ranked team and an All-American-caliber pitcher speaks volumes."
The last contest in a five-game tournament, Oregon State's offense continued to display the dominance it exhibited on the first two days, putting up numbers only common in video games. The Beavers pounded out 11 runs on nine hits and in the process put down a top-20 team without having to go a full seven innings for the first time since a 9-0 win over No. 17 Washington on April 3, 2005.
OSU's hitters, at times both powerful and at others opportunistic, used a combination of both against the Cornhuskers, making Nebraska pay dearly for each and every one of its four errors on the night.
In the bottom of the first, Oregon State loaded the bases on a Dani Gilmore single, a Hannah Bouska walk and an Elizabeth Santana hit-by-pitch. After a fielder's choice cut down Gilmore at the plate, Cavestany delivered the Beavers' first run on a frozen rope to left field. Erin Guzy then worked the count full in a masterful at-bat with the bags full, eventually earning herself a free pass and another RBI. Another pair of runs came across after Nebraska's shortstop booted a ball off the bat of Ally Kutz and after one inning OSU had a commanding 4-0 lead.
Nebraska added a run in the second, but the Beavers' lead ballooned even more in the bottom half. Two Cornhusker errors helped load the bases yet again and Cavestany seized the opportunity, making Nebraska pay when she launched a ball deep into the desert sky and over the fence in straightaway center to stake her team to an 8-1 edge.
"We needed some offensive leadership from Lea tonight and she definitely gave it to us," Walker said. "Putting the ball in play always puts pressure on the other team. When we get extra chances we have to take advantage and we did that tonight."
Andreana locked down the Husker hitters all evening, constantly shutting the door when it looked like they were fighting their way back into the game. In Houdini-like fashion, she worked her way out of a bases-loaded, no-out jam in the second inning by only allowing one run. In the fifth she dashed Nebraska's hopes yet again by getting out of another bases-loaded bind without a single blemish on the scoreboard. She went the distance, tossing all six innings and striking out five to earn her first win of the year.
"Tina pitched a fantastic game," Walker commented. "Nebraska has a solid lineup and to hold them to only four hits is a testament to the focus and hard work she put in this offseason. This is the type of performance we've come to expect from her."
After only five games, Oregon State's offensive numbers are among the best in the country. In the tournament, the Beavers scored 59 runs and walloped 10 home runs, including two grand slams, all the while being selective at the dish. The squad drew 27 walks and nearly every other batter in the lineup gets on base (.482 OBP). Already with 53 RBI and averaging 11.8 runs per game, OSU is on pace to shatter each one of its offensive records. In contrast, last season the team scored 135 runs, had 118 RBI and hit 16 HR in 47 total games.
Next weekend, the Beavers will look to continue their staggering offensive pace when they travel to San Diego, Calif. for the Campbell/Cartier Classic co-hosted by San Diego State and San Diego. OSU will play both host schools as well as Notre Dame, UCSB and Central Florida in the three-day tournament.
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