No. 7 Softball Drops 1-0 Heart-Breaker To No. 3 Arizona
In Pac-10 fashion, the game worked out to be a classic pitcher’s dual between Oregon State All-American and Arizona All-American Alicia Hollowell.
Beaver catcher gunned down Wildcat speedster Caitlin Lowe’s steal attempt in the opening frame and with a pair of runners in scoring position in the second inning, McGowan fanned Taryne Mowatt and OSU first baseman snagged a line-drive to get out of the inning unscathed.
In one of the most amazing catches of the season, junior centerfielder made an over-the-shoulder, two-out, diving grab to get the Beavers out of the fourth inning and save a pair of Wildcat runs from crossing the plate.
Hollowell kept the Beaver batters at bay, fanning five straight at one point and hurling a no-hitter until senior catcher roped a single to center field in the top of the fourth.
The Wildcats pushed the game’s lone run across the plate with two outs in the bottom of the sixth inning as Beaver leftfielder made a diving attempt to secure a shallow fly ball on the foul line. DeWall dove and had the ball in her glove but it snuck out as she skidded across the grass in foul territory. The ball was ruled fair and an RBI double by Chelsea Mesa.
Hollowell (23-4) finished with 12 strikeouts including back-to-back K’s to end the game. McGowan (24-6) finished with six strikeouts in the loss. The Beaver pitcher holds a 3-2 all-time record in games against
The Beavers (38-12; 10-9 Pac-10) and Wildcats (43-9; 14-6 Pac-10) conclude the regular season with a 1 p.m. game on Saturday.
GAME RESULTS:
No. 7
No. 3
McGowan and Allen (OSU), Hollowell and Balko (UA). Win – Hollowell (23-4). Loss – McGowan (24-6). 2B –
