Oregon State Softball Opens Fall Schedule
The 2015-16 Beavers will hold team and individual practice sessions through the end of September and the beginning of October leading up to its first matchup of the fall slate, a 2 p.m. PT matchup with Western Oregon on Tuesday, Oct. 6 at OSU Softball Complex.
“The big thing I’m looking to see during fall practice is chemistry and how well they work together,” Oregon State head coach Laura Berg said. “I’m really looking for the older players and returners to show their experience and share their knowledge to the younger players. We want the younger players to know what to expect and to know what Division I softball is really like. I’m excited to see what the freshmen can do, and I’m excited to see how the experienced players can build upon what they can do, and then, put it all together.”
OSU continues its home campaign with a doubleheader against Mt. Hood on Saturday, Oct. 10 at 12 p.m. PT and 2 p.m. PT, respectively. In the final week of OSU’s homestand, the Beavers will host Clackamas on Wednesday, Oct. 14 at 2 p.m. PT, as well as Corban for a doubleheader at 1 p.m. PT and 3 p.m. PT, respectively, on Saturday, Oct. 17.
The Beavers close out their fall schedule with a road matchup at Western Oregon at 2 p.m. PT on Wednesday, Oct. 30.
Offensively, OSU returns five lineup regulars from the 2014-15 squad, including a pair of All-Pac-12 selections and three Pac-12 All-Freshman honorees. Headlining returning position players is All-Pac-12 selection Mikela Manewa, who hit .338 with five home runs, 37 runs batted in and 26 walks (.429 on-base percentage) in her junior campaign.
Pac-12 All-Freshman selections Alysha Everett and Lovie Lopez hit .400 and .319, respectively, against conference opponents last season to place first and second on the team. McKenna Arriola, who recently finished up a gold medal run with the USA Junior National Team, also returns for OSU after stealing a team-high seven bases on as many attempts in 2015, while also placing second on the team with 39 runs scored.
In the circle, OSU returns All-Pac-12 right-hander Bev Miller, who went 15-11 with a 3.64 ERA and 122 strikeouts in her junior season. Righty Rainey Dyreson and south paw Taylor Cotton also return for the Beavers after making 22 appearances each in 2015.
