Softball Earns First Ever Sweep of Washington
April 17, 1999
CORVALLIS, Ore. - The No. 12 Oregon State softball team swept a doubleheader against No. 4 Washington in the Beavers' home opener at Ropes-Fetrow Field on Saturday, winning the opener 1-0 in nine innings before posting a 2-1 win in the nightcap.
The Beavers (37-12, 8-4 Pac-10) earned their first ever sweep over the Huskies (29-11, 5-6 Pac-10). OSU had beaten Washington only once in the previous 23 meetings between the teams.
"These were two great team wins for us. I'm very proud of how we fought hard every inning in both games," coach Kirk Walker said.
Tarrah Beyster scattered six hits throughout the first game, and a strong Beaver defense kept the Huskies scoreless. OSU turned two double plays, one with a runner on third and another with a runner on second to keep the Huskies from scoring.
The Beaver offense, though, struggled against Husky ace Jamie Graves. Graves had a no-hitter going until the ninth inning when Michelle Chariton led off with a single to the shortstop. Shawna Feldt sacrificed Chariton to second, and Brooke Rutschman came up with OSU's only other hit of the game to send Chariton to third.
Jodi Chmielewski flew out to left field, but not deep enough for Chariton to tag up and score. Graves then intentionally walked Beyster to load the bases and bring up Kelli Kranz. Kranz grounded to second, and UWs Christie Rosenblad bobbled the ball. Kranz was ruled safe on the error and Chariton came home with the winning run.
It was Washington who had trouble hitting in the second game. Crystal Draper did not allow a hit until the sixth inning when Kelly Hauxhurst doubled to score Rosie Leutzinger, who reached on an error.
Leutzinger's run tied the game at 1-1, but the tie didn't hold up for long. Kim Herman led off the bottom of the sixth inning with a home run to left center field, her fourth roundtripper of the year.
Draper stuck out Becky Newbry to start the seventh but then allowed Jennifer Spediacci to double to center field. Beyster came in on relief, got the next two batters out and picked up her sixth save of the season.
Draper, who struck out 11 Husky batters, improved to 15-5 with the victory. Beyster moved to 22-7 with the win in the first game; her 22 wins breaks her own single-season school record.
Graves fell to 17-6, while Spediacci dropped to 11-5 with the loss in the second game.
The Beavers host No. 1 UCLA in a doubleheader beginning at noon on Sunday, April 18.
Game Results
Game One Washington 000 000 000 - 0 6 2 Oregon State 000 000 001 - 1 2 1
Graves and Giordano. Beyster and Kranz. WP- Beyster (22-7). LP- Graves (17-6). 2B- Newbry (UW).
Game Two Washington 000 001 0 - 1 2 1 Oregon State 000 011 x - 2 6 1
Spediacci and Giordano. Draper, Beyster (7) and Herman. WP- Draper (15-5). LP- Spediacci (11-5). Save- Beyster (6). 2B- Hauxhurst (UW), Spediacci (UW). 3B- S. Feldt (OSU). HR- Herman (OSU).
