Oregon State
Arizona
Softball Beats No. 23 Arizona, 2-1
April 27, 2013 | Softball
April 27, 2013
CORVALLIS, Ore. - Oregon State's 2-1 victory over No. 23 Arizona on Saturday afternoon had plenty of similarities to its win by that same score on Friday. Each team left a small village on base and the game wasn't decided until the final play. But most importantly, Oregon State came out on top. If it can follow at least the final verse of that refrain on Sunday, it can accomplish something that has never been done in school history: a sweep of Arizona.
Let's fast forward to the bottom of the seventh with the score tied, 1-1. After leaving the bases loaded in the fifth and stranding a runner in scoring position in the sixth with nobody out, the Beavers put the leadoff hitter on base for the fourth consecutive inning when center fielder Dani Gilmore worked her second walk of the day. The Wildcats attempted to cut down Gilmore at second base on a comebacker by senior Ashley Sanchez, but the throw from pitcher Estela Pinon sailed into center.
Shortstop Elizabeth Santana followed with a four-pitch walk to load the bases with nobody out. Senior Lea Cavestany wasted no time with a grounder toward the middle. A diving stop by Arizona second baseman Chelsea Suitos mirrored the play made by OSU's Ya Garcia in the seventh on Friday, but there would be no play for her to make. Gilmore crossed the plate easily to hand OSU the victory.
Arizona (28-21) jumped ahead in the first when it loaded the bases with one out. A sacrifice fly to center by Kelsey Rodriguez gave the Wildcats their first lead of the series. But that would be all the damage Arizona would inflict on senior hurler Marina Demore. After the sacrifice fly in the first, Santana made a great diving play on a sharply hit grounder to end the inning at 1-0. With the score tied at 1-1 in the top of the seventh, Arizona loaded the bases with three walks. On a 3-1 pitch to Rodriguez, Demore got her to fly to Hannah Bouska in right to end the threat. Demore allowed just three hits in earning the complete game win. The Wildcats' final hit came with the first hitter of the third inning.
The Beavers (29-17) cracked the scoreboard to even things up in the fourth. Santana and Cavestany each walked to lead off the inning. With the team still hitless, third baseman Desiree Beltran chopped a single to chase Santana to the plate. Beltran had two of Oregon State's four hits.
Today's victory clinched the Beavers' first series victory over Arizona since 2005. They now have the opportunity tomorrow morning to sweep the Wildcats for the first time. First pitch is scheduled for 11:00 a.m.
