Hampton Homers as Civil War Begins

May 3, 2013

EUGENE, Ore. – Freshman first baseman Natalie Hampton went 2-for-3 with a double and her 14^th home run of the season, but the Oregon State softball team dropped the first game of the Civil War, presented by PacificSource Health Plans, the NW Ford Dealers, McDonald's and Wells Fargo. The Beavers fell to No. 5 Oregon, 2-1.

Hampton's 14^th home run came in the sixth inning with the Beavers trailing, 1-0. She launched the first pitch she saw deep to right to tie the score. That homer moves her into a tie for third place on the school's single season list. The only number ahead of her is 16 home runs, set by Tarrah Beyster in 2000 and tied by Cambria Miranda in 2006.

The home run also gave Hampton her 47^th RBI of the season, putting her solely in possession of third place in that category. She's just one RBI shy of tying the school record of 48, set by Brianne McGowan in 2007.

A Hampton extra-base hit also put the Beavers (32-18) in position to take the lead in the fourth. After shortstop Mollee Schwegler pinch running at third, second baseman Ya Garcia bounced a ball into the hole at short. Schwegler broke for the plate but was thrown out to keep the game scoreless.

Oregon (43-7) took the lead in the bottom of the fourth after nearly stranding the bases loaded for the second time in the game. After filling the bases, senior Tina Andreana and got a fly out and force at the plate to hold the Ducks off the board. But a dribbler on the ensuing at-bat fell into no-man's land in front of the plate to allow Oregon to plate the first run of the day.

Demore went three innings in relief, allowing just four hits and no walks. The only run for which she was responsible came on a leadoff home run in the bottom of the sixth inning to put Oregon back ahead by the eventual final, 2-1.

It's the first time this season that Oregon State has lost while allowing two runs or less in a game. The Beavers won their first 21 in such situations. The team has now hit 49 home runs on the year, tying the 2007 team for fourth place in school history.

The second battle of the Civil War commences at high noon tomorrow. It's being broadcast live on the Pac-12 Networks.