DeAnn Young Drives In Four Runs As No. 15 Softball Eliminates Eastern Michigan, 6-1, In NCAA Regional Tournament

Ann Arbor, Mich. – Sophomore first baseman drove in four runs as No. 15 ranked Oregon State earned a 6-1 victory to eliminate Eastern Michigan University in Saturday’s NCAA Softball Regional Tournament action.

The victory was the 40^th of the season for Oregon State (40-22), marking the eighth time in the past nine years that the Beavers have recorded 40 wins or more.

Senior gave the Beavers a quick 1-0 lead in the opening inning when her RBI single to center field plated fellow senior who had reached base on a walk.

Eastern Michigan threatened in the bottom of the second inning after a lead-off double by Heather Han and had runners at the corners with one out, but McGowan entered the game in relief of and used three pitches to get the final two outs of the frame and keep the Beaver edge.

Young pushed the Oregon State advantage to 3-0 in the top of the third inning when she launched her eighth home run of the season with a two-run shot over the left field fence. Longfellow, who had singled earlier in the inning, came across the plate to score her second run of the game.

The Eagles got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the fourth inning, taking advantage of two Beaver errors to push one run across the plate.

OSU cushioned its lead with three runs in the top of the seventh. Junior drove in one run and then Young roped a two-RBI double to the right-center field gap to give the Beavers a 6-1 advantage.

Longfellow came around to score her third run of the game and the 138^th of her career – just three shy of ’s (2003-06) school record – when she crossed the plate on Young’s double. The senior shortstop finished the game with a 2-for-2 mark from the plate, three runs scored and two stolen bases, while Young was 2-for-4 with four RBI.

McGowan (24-13) struck out four batters on the way to earning her ninth postseason victory in the circle.

Oregon State advances to face University of Louisville at approximately 3 p.m. PDT. The Cardinals knocked off the Beavers in Friday’s opening round. The winner of the re-match will face University of Michigan in Sunday’s championship.

GAME RESULTS:

No. 15 Oregon State – 102 000 3 – 6 8 2
Eastern Michigan – 000 100 0 – 1 6 2

McElroy, McGowan (2) and Ewing (OSU), Woodrum, Lloyd (5), Hletko (7) and Han (EMU). Win – McGowan (24-13). Loss – Woodrum (12-9). HR – Young (OSU). 2B – Han, 2 (EMU), Young (OSU).