Oregon State
Colorado State
Gilmore Goes Yard in Beavers' 4-2 Win Over Colorado State
February 26, 2012 | Softball
Feb. 26, 2012
CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. - Dani Gilmore hit a three-run homer, Marina Demore pitched 4.2 innings of scoreless relief to earn the save and the Oregon State softball team defeated Colorado State, 4-2, on the final day of the Cathedral City Classic on Sunday.
"It's a great way to close out the Cathedral City Classic," Head Coach Kirk Walker said of the victory. "At Oregon State, we put a lot of time and effort into making this the best softball tournament in the country, so we always want to show well on the field. Winning four of five definitely does that."
The game got off to an inauspicious start when Colorado State's first two batters doubled and homered to put the Rams up early, 2-0. But as has been the case all season, the Beavers (11-4) were never rattled, continued to plug away and ensured that any dreams their opponent had of winning were just that.
Oregon State used the first frame to get a feel for CSU's starter and then used that knowledge to spring four runs on the board in the second inning.
Erin Guzy started off with a walk and Lea Cavestany reached on a fielder's choice in which the shortstop tried to get the lead runner at second, but Guzy broke hard off the crack of the bat and beat the throw. Paige Hall moved both over one base to put runners on second and third with one out.
Ally Kutz brought the Beavers within one when she grounded a ball deep into the hole at shortstop, legging out an RBI single which plated Guzy.
With two outs, the Beavers trailing 2-1 and OSU looking like it was going to spoil a much-needed scoring opportunity, Dani Gilmore came to the dish and put all those fears to rest with one swing of the bat. The freshman catapulted her third home run of the season deep over the fence in right-center field, scoring three and putting her team on top, 4-2.
In the third, Demore came on in relief with one out and breezed through the next 4.2 innings, allowing no runs on three hits while striking out six to earn the first save of her career.
The Beavers sealed the win late with some flashy defensive plays. In the fourth inning, with runners on first and second, the Rams singled to center field and it appeared as if they were going to close the gap until Gilmore hit her cut-off with a rocket from the grass to hold the runner at third.
Earlier in the second inning, before the Beavers took the lead, the same situation presented itself, but this time a bee-bee from the arm of Hannah Bouska in right field that reached home plate on the fly prevented CSU's runner at third from advancing. During the very next at-bat, that same runner was picked off by Ally Kutz with a quick release from her crouch to a waiting Desiree Beltran at third.
In the sixth, shortstop Elizabeth Santana decided to get in on the act, diving on her belly to snag a pop-up and keep Colorado State at bay.
Oregon State finished its annual tournament with a 4-1 record. The Beavers will conclude their trip with a neutral-site doubleheader against Maine in Fullerton, Calif. tomorrow beginning at noon.
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