Softball Splits Civil War Doubleheader
EUGENE, Ore. - The Oregon State softball team (26-21, 7-13 Pacific-10) used 14 hits from nine different players to spark a 7-4 victory over Oregon (36-23, 8-12) in the first game of a doubleheader, but the Ducks came back with 7-1 win in the closer to force the Beavers to settle for a split in the crucial series Wednesday.
OSU's 14 hits in the opening game tied a season-high, with every starting player getting at least one hit. Tasha Heddinger was 3-for-4 and scored three times, while Parisa Plant, Kim Herman and Jodi Chmielewski each had two hits. Plant scored twice, and Chmielewski had two RBI, including the game-winner in the sixth inning.
"We hit the ball well, and defensively we made some nice plays," said head coach Kirk Walker. "It was nice to hit the ball and be able to score a lot of runs. Lately we've been hitting the ball right at people."
Tarrah Beyster improved to 21-11 on the season after scattering seven hits with three walks and four strikeouts. Four of the Duck hits were for extra bases - three doubles and a homer from Melissa Jeppsen. Jennie Cook dropped to 20-13 with the loss.
In the nightcap, the Ducks jumped ahead in the second inning after Katie Mackey walked and then scored on pitcher Bethany Smith's double to left field. They added two more in the fourth and four in the sixth before the Beavers would get on the board.
Oregon State had scoring opportunities early on, but the team could not capitalize at the right times. The Beavers stranded two in the first inning and one apiece in the third and fifth before leaving the bases loaded in the final two innings.
Plant led off the sixth with a walk, and Chmielewski belted her 21st career double to send Plant to third. Chmielewski's double, her fourth of the season, tied the OSU career record for two-base hits. With runners on second and third, Smith intentionally walked Beyster to load the bases with no outs. The Ducks then brought Cook in on relief, resulting in three outs on the next three plays.
Jenni Jodoin started the seventh off with a base hit to right field, and Courtney Stewart came up with a pinch hit single. Jodoin scored and Stewart went to second on the play after Lindsey Welch mishandled the ball in centerfield. Denise Brown singled just past third base, forcing Stewart to stay at second.
Sara Caughell then came in to run for Stewart, but she was forced out at third when Plant reached on a fielder's choice for the first out of the inning. Chmielewski lined out to the shortstop for the second out, and Beyster walked to load the bases. Herman struck out to end the game.
Beyster was walked four times in the final game and twice in the opener. All but one of those six bases on balls were intentional.
Despite the difference in scoring, the Ducks had just three more hits than OSU in game two.
"The difference in the second game was that they got their hits when they had runners on," said Walker. "We stranded too many runners."
Brooke Rutschman (0-1) took the loss for the Beavers, while Smith moved to 11-8 with the Oregon victory.
Oregon State hosts No. 4 Washington in doubleheader action beginning at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, May 2 as the Beavers fight to earn their first ever NCAA Tournament bid. OSU must win at least two of its final eight regular season games to finish above .500 and remain in playoff contention. Teams with records below .500 will not be considered for postseason play.
Oregon State Softball at Oregon
Game One Oregon State 200 103 1 - 7 14 2 Oregon 000 011 2 - 4 8 3
Beyster and Herman. Cook and Planche. WP- Beyster (21-11). LP- Cook (20-13). 2B- Jeppsen (UO), Apfelbaum (UO) 2. HR- Jeppsen (UO).
Game Two Oregon State 000 000 1 - 1 6 0 Oregon 010 204 x - 7 9 2
Beyster, Rutschman (4), Hofstetter (4) and Herman. Smith, Cook (6) and Planche. WP- Smith (11-8). LP- Rutschman (0-1). Save- Cook (3). 2B- Chmielewski (OSU), Russell (UO), Custer (UO), Smith (UO).
