OSU Downs Stanford in Extra-Inning Walk off, 7-6
CORVALLIS, Ore. – It took extra innings Saturday afternoon, but the Oregon State softball team (21-9, 2-3) defeated the Stanford Cardinal (14-16, 0-2) 7-6. The winning hit came from Natalie Hampton as the first baseman singled into right field, knocking in her fourth RBI of the game and giving the Beavers the win.
The Cardinal got on the scoreboard in the top of the first, putting three runs on the board with a single and an error to start inning followed by a three-run home run to right field. They had two more batters reach base in the inning but the Beavers worked out of the jam and stranded both runners.
The OSU offense got things going in the third inning, scoring three runs on two hits, two walks and an error. McKenna Arriola started the inning with a bunt single and quickly advanced to second on a wild pitch. Hannah Akamine reached base after a Dani Gilmore walk, loading the bases. The Beavers put a run across in each of the next three plays, with Hampton walking followed by a Sammi Noland single to left field. CJ Chirichigno scored the last run of the inning on a grounder that retired Hampton at third base.
The Beavers took the lead in the fifth inning, scoring two runs and taking a 5-3 lead. Chirichigno started the inning with a single. Hampton crushed a 2-1 pitch over the fence in right center, the second homer of the season for the redshirt sophomore.
Stanford sent nine batters to the plate in the top of the sixth, scoring three runs and taking a 6-5 lead in an inning that was interrupted shortly by a rain delay.
Oregon State entered the bottom of the seventh still trailing by a run. Noland singled up the middle with one out and advanced to second on an Everett groundout during the next play. Kori Nishitomi came to the plate and singled through the right side of the infield, scoring Noland and tying the game at 6-6.
After the OSU defense retired the Cardinal in the top of the eighth the Beaver offense got to work in the bottom of the inning. Gilmore reached base on a fielder’s choice after Arriola started the inning with a walk. With two outs, Chirichigno doubled to left field, advancing Gilmore to third. Hampton came to the plate and delivered the winning hit, singling down the right field line and giving the Beavers the extra-inning win.
Hampton finished the game 2-for-4 with the home run and four RBI. Arriola went 2-for-4, raising her season average to .307. Chirichigno finished the game 3-for-5 with two runs scored and her ninth double of the season. Noland went 2-for-4 with a run scored and her team-leading 31st RBI of the season.
Bev Miller went the distance, improving her record to 13-6 while earning her 17th complete game of the season.
The Beavers will return to the field tomorrow, Monday, March 23 at 4 p.m. when they go for the series sweep against Stanford.
