Softball Drops Two Games at Kia Klassic
March 18, 1999
FULLERTON, Calif. - The No. 12 Oregon State softball team had just five hits on the day as the Beavers lost to No. 3 Fresno State, 8-0, and No. 7 Southwestern Louisiana, 1-0, at the Kia Klassic on Thursday.
"We just came out flat today," said assistant coach Gina Vecchione. "I think everyone was exhausted after a week of finals and travel. We got in late last night and had to get up early today, and (head coach) Kirk (Walker) was sick, so it wasn't a good day."
The game between the Beavers and the Bulldogs was a close one until the sixth inning. Fresno State took a slight 1-0 lead into the bottom of the inning, when the Bulldogs scored seven runs on six hits and two OSU errors. The eight-run rule was in effect, and the game ended with two outs and a runner on in the sixth.
Tarrah Beyster, who dropped to 12-3 with the loss, struck out six batters and gave up 11 hits, but only one of the eight runs was earned. Fresno State's Kristen Hunter improved to 13-2. Hunter allowed just two hits, singles by Kelli Kranz and Parisa Plant.
"Tarrah pitched well, but that sixth inning was a nightmare. Fresno started hitting everything, and we had some big errors," said Vecchione.
It was a pitchers' battle in the second game, with nine hits scattered throughout the game. But, it was USL that came up with the one hit that meant the most. Alana Addison hit a solo home run in the top of the fourth inning to score the only run of the game. Shawna Feldt, Jodi Chmielewski and Kim Herman each had a hit for OSU.
Crystal Draper (9-3) took the loss for the Beavers after giving up six hits. Melissa Coronado (10-2) allowed just three OSU hits. The two combined for 17 strikeouts, Draper with eight and Coronado with nine.
"It was a good game, but there wasn't a lot of action," Vecchione said. "Crystal threw great, and Coronado pitched well for them. She kept throwing outside, and we just couldnt adjust to her."
Oregon State (21-6) continues play in the Kia Klassic with a 9 a.m. contest with No. 11 Texas on Friday, March 19.
Kia Klassic Softball Results
Game One Oregon State 000 000 - 0 2 3 Fresno State 000 107 - 8 11 0
Beyster and Kranz. Hunter and Slaney. WP- Hunter (13-2). LP- Beyster (12-3). 2B- Jung (Fresno), Cervantez (Fresno).
Game Two USL 000 100 0 - 1 6 0 Oregon State 000 000 0 - 0 3 1
Coronado and Bruce. Draper and Herman. WP- Coronado (10-2). LP- Draper (9-3). HR- Addison (USL).
