No. 23 OSU Softball Outslugged at Utah, 14-6

Sunday, March 20

Salt Lake City, UT

12:00 PM

Oregon State

20-6-1, 0

Utah

20-9, 0

Oregon State

Utah

Photo by: Dave Nishitani/Oregon State Athletics

March 20, 2016 | Softball

Box Score

By: Athletic Communications

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The 23rd-ranked Oregon State softball team recorded 12 hits on Saturday, including a 3-for-3, three-RBI performance by sophomore shortstop McKenna Arriola, but the Utah Utes tallied 18 hits to outslug the Beavers in a 14-6, six-inning setback at the Dumke Family Softball Stadium.

For the second consecutive game, Oregon State (20-6-1) left 11 runners on base, while the Utes (20-9) left nine on base. Seven of the Utes' hits went for extra bases, including three home runs. Two of Oregon State's 12 hits were extra-base hits, while the Beavers struck out six times as opposed to two times for the Utes.

Arriola added a walk and run scored to her 3-for-3, three-RBI line. Sophomore first baseman Alysha Everett was 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored. Senior second baseman Mikela Manewa went 2-fior-4 with a double, a run scored and an RBI, while the team's remaining multiple-hit performance was accounted for on a 2-for-4 day from freshman catcher Kayleen Shafer. Redshirt junior third baseman Christie Langlois rounded out top OSU performances with an RBI triple.

Freshman right-hander Meehra Nelson did not factor into the decision after allowing three runs on as many hits in a 0.1 inning start. Senior righty Bev Miller (8-4) pitched the rest of the game and allowed the remainder of the Utes' offensive production as she was charged with the loss.

Righty Miranda Viramontes (5-2) picked up the win in a complete-game outing, allowing the Beavers six runs (four earned) off 12 hits and four walks with six strikeouts. The Utes were led offensively by a 2-for-4, seven-RBI performance from Heather Bowen.

In contrast to the Beavers' quick start in Saturday's game, Utah opened the scoring with four runs in the bottom of the first inning. Four of the five Ute hits in the frame went for extra bases, including home runs from Hannah Flippen and Ally Dickman that drove in a combined three runs. Utah's Bowen accounted for the final RBI of the frame on a double to left center, as the Beavers faced a 4-0 deficit after the opening frame.

Oregon State and Utah exchanged runs in the second inning to keep the difference at four runs. Arriola knocked in the first run for the Beavers on an infield single, while the Utes' Bowen knocked in a runner from third on a groundout to make the score 5-1 heading to the third inning.

One of the key innings for the Oregon State offense on Sunday was the third, where the Beavers rallied back with four runs to tie up the game. The rally began with a leadoff double to right center from Manewa, who moved to third on a Natalie Hampton groundout. Langlois plated Manewa on a stand-up triple over the right fielder's head, while Everett drove her in on a single up the middle. With Shelby Weeks reaching on an error and Shafer reaching on a single, the bases were loaded with two outs for Arriola, who came through again to drive in each of the two lead runners and tie the game at five runs apiece.

Utah counterpunched in the bottom of the fourth inning, answering with four runs of their own to re-open the four-run lead. Singles by the Utes' Delilah Pacheco and Flippen as well as a walk by Anissa Urtez loaded the bases with none out to set up the scoring frame. Bowen followed with a grand slam to left center, giving the Utes a 9-5 lead after four innings.

Oregon State chipped away with a run in the top of the fifth inning, as Arriola reached on her third hit of the day and Manewa knocked her in on a single down the right field line. However, Utah answered again in the bottom half of the frame, responding with an RBI single from Urtez to maintain a four-run lead at 10-6.

Utah clinched Sunday's game with a four-run bottom of the sixth inning. After a leadoff double by the Utes' Shelby Pacheco, pinch hitter Bella Secaira drove in the first run on an RBI single, and was followed by an RBI double from Urtez and an RBI groundout by Bowen. With Urtez moving up to third on the groundout, pinch hitter Sammy Cordova singled to center to score her from third and force the 14-6 run-rule victory.

The Oregon State and Utah softball teams return to action on Monday for the final game of the series. First pitch is set for 11 a.m. PT (noon MT).

For more information on the Oregon State softball team, follow the club's official Twitter account at Twitter.com/OregonStateSB, by Facebook at Facebook.com/OregonStateSB or on Instagram at Instagram.com/OregonStateSB.

OREGON STATE ATHLETICS' EVERYDAY CHAMPIONS CULTURE
Through the power of sport, we help people discover and pursue their passions, talents and purpose in order to live a life of balance and positive contribution.