Oregon State
Arizona
OSU Softball Evens Series at Arizona with 2-1 Win
May 08, 2016 | Softball
TUCSON, Ariz. – The Oregon State softball team got a 6.1-inning quality start from right-hander Bev Miller and the eventual game-winning home run from catcher Kayleen Shafer in the fifth inning in a 2-1 victory over the No. 18/17-ranked Arizona Wildcats on Saturday from Rita Hillenbrand Memorial Stadium.
With the result, Oregon State (28-17-1, 7-13 Pac-12) evens this weekend's series at one win apiece. First pitch for the rubber match at Arizona (33-18, 10-10 Pac-12) is set for noon PT on Sunday.
Miller's (12-9) final line included only one run allowed off four hits and six walks with seven strikeouts. Two of those walks came with a one-out, 2-1 Beaver lead in the bottom of the seventh inning, but righty Meehra Nelson struck out the final two batters in the relief to pick up her sixth save of the season and seal the win.
Nelson's save on Saturday ties the school record for most saves in a single season. Three other OSU pitchers have recorded six saves in one season, including Paige Hall in 2012, Monica Hoffman in 2004 and Tarrah Beyster in 1999.
Shortstop McKenna Arriola tallied a pair of hits to record her 19th multiple-hit game of the season. Second baseman Mikela Manewa added the other RBI on a single.
Saturday's game began with scoring for both teams, as the Beavers and Wildcats traded a run each in the opening frame. Oregon State got on the board first as Arriola led off the game with a bunt single, moved to second on a groundout and scored on Manewa's RBI single. The Wildcats' Mo Mercado drove in the tying run in the home half of the opening frame, plating Mandie Perez from second after her leadoff walk.
The score remained tied at 1-1 until the top of the fifth inning, in which Shafer put the Beavers up by one on a solo home run to left. Over that scoreless span, Miller stranded four Arizona runners. Before allowing two walks in the seventh inning, Miller allowed only one other baserunner, striking out the side in the sixth inning.
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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