Oregon State
Arizona
Errors Doom OSU Softball in 6-0 Setback at Arizona
May 07, 2016 | Softball
TUCSON, Ariz. – The Oregon State softball team outhit Arizona on Friday night, but committed three errors en route to a 6-0 setback to the No. 18/17-ranked Wildcats at Rita Hillenbrand Memorial Stadium.
Oregon State (27-17-1, 6-13 Pac-12) recorded six hits as opposed to five for Arizona (33-17, 10-9 Pac-12), but hit into double plays twice and did not draw a walk as three Beavers were left on base. Beaver errors were committed in each of the Wildcats' two scoring innings.
The Beavers were led offensively by right fielder Shelby Weeks, who recorded her 17th multiple-hit game of the season with a 2-for-3 performance on Friday. OSU's four other hits were accounted for by designated player Natalie Hampton, second baseman Mikela Manewa, first baseman Alysha Everett and catcher Kayleen Shafer, whose base hit was a double. With her single, Manewa has reached base in 17 consecutive games.
Right-hander Meehra Nelson (15-8) was charged with the loss in a complete game outing. Danielle O'Toole (19-10) tossed a complete-game shutout to pick up the win for Arizona.
Beaver miscues in the bottom of the third inning allowed Arizona to jump out to a 2-0 lead. The Wildcats' Eva Watson, who reached on a one-out walk, accounted for the first run scored as Arizona's Mandie Perez dropped a base hit into shallow center. The ball trickled past a Beaver outfielder, and Watson scored on what was ruled an RBI triple. The Wildcats' Ashleigh Hughes drove in Perez on a single to the same spot in the next at-bat to give Arizona a two-run advantage.
Another Oregon State error allowed the Wildcats to double their advantage quickly in the bottom of the sixth inning. Hughes led off the frame with a bunt single and scored on a misplayed Katiyana Mauga single to right. The Wildcats' Mo Mercado drove in the next run on a sacrifice fly, as the error on the previous play had allowed Mauga to reach third base. Following the miscue, Arizona added two more runs to make the score 6-0 on a Joelle Krist home run.
Oregon State and Arizona are set to play game two on Saturday at 2 p.m. PT. First pitch for the series finale is set for noon PT on Sunday.
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.
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