No. 7 Oregon State Heads To UNLV Louisville Slugger Desert Classic

The Beavers open tournament action against UNLV on Thursday.

Photo: OSU Athletics

CORVALLIS - Friday’s 6:00 PM game between No. 7 Oregon State and Cal Poly marks the first game between the two squads with former Beaver associate head coach Jenny Condon facing OSU head coach Kirk Walker in opposing dugouts.

Condon took over the reigns of the Cal Poly program in 2005 and holds a 65-40 record as a head coach.

She spent six seasons at Oregon State and was a member of the 1999 Speedline Pacific Region Coaching Staff of the Year after the Beavers set a school record with 47 victories.

The Beavers and Mustangs have been scheduled to face each other previously, but the games have been canceled due to weather conditions.

No. 7 OREGON STATE UNLV LOUISVILLE SLUGGER DESERT CLASSIC SCHEDULE:

Thursday

No. 7 Oregon State at UNLV - 7:00 PM

Friday

No. 7 Oregon State vs. BYU - noon

No. 7 Oregon State vs. Cal Poly - 6:00 PM

Saturday

No. 7 Oregon State vs. Wright State - 9:00 AM

No. 7 Oregon State vs. Cal State Northridge - noon

GREAT START:

Oregon State senior centerfielder Natalie Johnson finished the opening weekend of play with an .857 (6-for-7) batting average, two sacrifices, two runs scored, and a stolen base.

Johnson was a perfect 3-for-3 from the plate against No. 23 Massachusetts on Feb. 9th and went 2-for-2 with a sacrifice against Kansas on Feb. 10th.

Johnson’s six hits in the first three games doubled her total number of hits from the entire 2006 season (3-for-20).

MOVIN’ ON UP:

Oregon State senior pitcher Brianne McGowan moved into sole possession of second place in the OSU career record book for victories after throwing five innings in Oregon State’s 7-0 win against Kansas on Feb. 10th.

McGowan has now amassed 76 victories in her career. Tarrah Beyster (1997-00) holds the Oregon State record with 91 career victories.

McGowan tied Beyster’s total of 694 career strikeouts to rank in third place in OSU’s record book for K’s.

Just two players in Oregon State history have struck out 700 batters in their career - Monica Hoffman (774) and Crystal Draper (809).

MCGOWAN WINS AMATEUR ATHLETE OF THE YEAR AWARD:

Oregon State pitcher Brianne McGowan was named the Bill Hayward Amateur Female Athlete of the Year at the Oregon Sports Awards on Feb. 11th.

The Reno, NV, native was recognized for her part in helping to lead the Beavers to the 2006 Women’s College World Series.

McGowan finished the 2006 campaign with a 29-9 overall record and 258 strikeouts, including victories over 16 teams ranked in the Top 25.

USA SOFTBALL NATIONAL PLAYER OF THE YEAR WATCH LIST:

Three Oregon State players are listed on the initial watch list for the 6th annual USA Softball National Collegiate Player of the Year Award.

Senior pitcher Brianne McGowan, senior shortstop Mia Longfellow and junior utility player Cambria Miranda are all listed as potential candidates for the prestigious award.

The award, which is considered one of the most prestigious honors in women’s collegiate softball, is designed to recognize outstanding athletic achievement by female collegiate softball players across the country.

The 2007 Pre-Season Watch List is comprised of 50 players, representing 33 schools and 11 conferences.

Oregon State is one of just four schools in the country to have three student-athletes selected on the initial list.

BEAVERS IN THE TOP 25:

Oregon State enters the week with a No. 7 ranking in both the USA Today/NFCA Top 25 and ESPN.com/USA Softball Top 25 Poll.

Seven Pac-10 Conference squads ranked in the USA Today/NFCA Top 25; 2. Arizona State, 3. Arizona, 7. Oregon State, 9. UCLA, 11. California, 13. Stanford, 15. Washington.

OSU posted a program-best No. 5 ranking in both polls on May 3rd, 2006 and started the 2007 season with a No. 6 ranking.

No. 7 RANKED OREGON STATE SET TO PLAY FIVE GAMES IN THE UNLV LOUISVILLE SLUGGER DESERT CLASSIC

Thursday, Feb. 15

No. 7 Oregon State at UNLV - 7 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 16

No. 7 Oregon State vs. BYU - 12 p.m.

No. 7 Oregon State vs. Cal Poly - 6 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 17

No. 7 Oregon State vs. Wright State - 9 a.m.

No. 7 Oregon State vs. Cal State Northridge - 12 p.m.

(UNLV Louisville Slugger Desert Classic)

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