Beavers Upset No. 5 Arizona State 3-2
CORVALLIS, Ore. – Kori Nishitomi hit her first home run as a Beaver, helping the Oregon State softball team upset No. 5/7 Arizona State 3-2 Friday at OSU Softball Complex in Corvallis, Ore. The fifth-ranked Sun Devils are the highest ranked team the Beavers have defeated since they beat then third-ranked Arizona State in 2012.
Senior pitcher Amanda Najdek threw a complete game, allowing just two earned runs and five hits while striking out six, as she held a Sun Devil team that averages nearly seven runs per game to just three. Freshman Alexis Gonzalez went 1-for-3 with two RBIs, while junior Dani Gilmore batted 1-for-2 with a walk.
The Beavers (10-13, 1-0 Pac-12) fell behind early, as the Sun Devils (26-4, 0-1) put up a run in the top of the first. Oregon State answered back in the bottom of the frame, however, as Nishitomi launched a home run over the right-field fence to level the score.
It looked as though Arizona State might put some more runs on the board as it loaded the bases in the second inning, but senior Isabelle Batayola made a diving catch in right to end the frame.
Arizona State added another run in the third, but the Beavers again responded, this time putting up a pair to take a 3-2 lead. The rally started with a walk from freshman Amee Aarhus, before Nishitomi and Gilmore singled. Gonzalez then ripped a double to center, scoring both Aarhus and Nishitomi to give the Beavers the advantage.
The Sun Devils again threatened in the fourth inning, loading the bases with two outs, but Najdek came through with a big strikeout to silence the threat. The Beaver starter allowed just one more baserunner for the remainder of the game, as Oregon State came away with the victory.
Arizona State left 11 runners on base over the course of the contest, while the Beavers finished with five hits and two walks, handing reigning NFCA Pitcher of the Week Dallas Escobedo her third loss of the season.
The Beavers will return to action tomorrow for a rematch with the Sun Devils. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m., and head coach Laura Berg will be honored prior to the contest for her induction in the National Softball Hall of Fame.
Game Notes:
- No. 5 Arizona State is the highest-ranked team the Beavers have beaten since they defeated No. 3 Arizona State in 2012.
- This is the Beavers’ first win in a Pac-12 opener since 2009.
- Kori Nishitomi hit her first home run as a Beaver.
- Dani Gilmore walked in the first inning, giving her 89 walks in her career, good seven short of Kelly Peterson for second on Oregon State’s all-time list.
- Amanda Najdek threw her ninth complete game of the season.
