
Photo by: Dave Nishitani/Oregon State Athletics
Beavers Fall Short against No. 7/7 Tigers
February 18, 2018 | Softball
Oregon State suffers second one-run loss to top-10 foe
BATON ROUGE, La. – The No. RV/RV Oregon State University softball program found itself in a pitcher's duel on Sunday against No. 7/7 LSU at Tiger Park to close out the Purple and Gold Challenge.
Unfortunately, the Beavers (7-4) couldn't get to the plate as the Tigers (10-0) took the decision 1-0.
"I'm proud of the team," said head coach Laura Berg. "They hung tough with the seventh-ranked team in the country in a game that could've gone either way.
"So I'm really proud of these guys, especially after traveling a long way and dealing with adversity. It's going to make them better and it's going to make them tougher."
Junior Meehra Nelson (Simi Valley, Calif.) (5-1) went toe-to-toe with Carly Hoover (4-0) in the circle and ended with a complete game after striking out four while scattering three hits over six innings of work. Nelson retired 12 of the first 14 batters she faced in the contest.
The only action in the game came in the fifth inning after LSU loaded the bases with nobody out following a walk and back-to-back singles to lead off the home half of the frame.
The Oregon State defense responded with a double play to limit the damage when Taryn Antoine skied a fly ball to junior Shelby Weeks (Tracy, Calif.) out in left and Weeks sent a rocket to junior Kayleen Shafer (Mission Viejo, Calif.) at the plate in an attempt to double up the runner from third.
Amber Serrett ended up crossing the plate before a play could be made, but Shafer had the presence of mind to relay the throw back up the line to freshman Missy Nunes (Livermore, Calif.) to retire Becca Schulte moving up to third.
Nelson induced a foul ball popup from Aliyah Andrews to escape the jam, but the Beavers still faced a 1-0 deficit.
Oregon State's best chance to knot the score came in the final at bat in the top of the seventh after freshman Mariah Mazon (Tulare, Calif.) posted her first career hit on a swinging bunt with two outs.
Freshman Sara Lillie (Murrieta, Calif.) came in to pinch hit for Shafer and sent liner into right field that appeared to be landing for a hit, but a brilliant diving catch from Antoine ensured there would be no late-game heroics from the visitors as the 1-0 score was finalized.
Oregon State returns to the diamond this coming week at the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic in Palm Springs, Calif., to continue the 2018 campaign. The Beavers will kick off the classic with a rematch against Oklahoma State on Thursday, February 22, with first pitch scheduled for 5:30 p.m. PT. All games during the classic will broadcast live on FloSports.
For more information on the Oregon State softball team, visit OSUBeavers.com or follow the team @BeaverSoftball on Twitter
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.
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Unfortunately, the Beavers (7-4) couldn't get to the plate as the Tigers (10-0) took the decision 1-0.
"I'm proud of the team," said head coach Laura Berg. "They hung tough with the seventh-ranked team in the country in a game that could've gone either way.
"So I'm really proud of these guys, especially after traveling a long way and dealing with adversity. It's going to make them better and it's going to make them tougher."
Junior Meehra Nelson (Simi Valley, Calif.) (5-1) went toe-to-toe with Carly Hoover (4-0) in the circle and ended with a complete game after striking out four while scattering three hits over six innings of work. Nelson retired 12 of the first 14 batters she faced in the contest.
The only action in the game came in the fifth inning after LSU loaded the bases with nobody out following a walk and back-to-back singles to lead off the home half of the frame.
The Oregon State defense responded with a double play to limit the damage when Taryn Antoine skied a fly ball to junior Shelby Weeks (Tracy, Calif.) out in left and Weeks sent a rocket to junior Kayleen Shafer (Mission Viejo, Calif.) at the plate in an attempt to double up the runner from third.
Amber Serrett ended up crossing the plate before a play could be made, but Shafer had the presence of mind to relay the throw back up the line to freshman Missy Nunes (Livermore, Calif.) to retire Becca Schulte moving up to third.
Nelson induced a foul ball popup from Aliyah Andrews to escape the jam, but the Beavers still faced a 1-0 deficit.
Oregon State's best chance to knot the score came in the final at bat in the top of the seventh after freshman Mariah Mazon (Tulare, Calif.) posted her first career hit on a swinging bunt with two outs.
Freshman Sara Lillie (Murrieta, Calif.) came in to pinch hit for Shafer and sent liner into right field that appeared to be landing for a hit, but a brilliant diving catch from Antoine ensured there would be no late-game heroics from the visitors as the 1-0 score was finalized.
Oregon State returns to the diamond this coming week at the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic in Palm Springs, Calif., to continue the 2018 campaign. The Beavers will kick off the classic with a rematch against Oklahoma State on Thursday, February 22, with first pitch scheduled for 5:30 p.m. PT. All games during the classic will broadcast live on FloSports.
For more information on the Oregon State softball team, visit OSUBeavers.com or follow the team @BeaverSoftball on Twitter
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.
Â
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