No. 6 Oregon State Defeats No. 23 UMass, 3-1

The Beavers face Kansas on Saturday.

Senior shortstop Mia Longfellow broke open a scoreless game with a 2-run triple in the 5th inning against No. 23 UMass. Photo: OSU Athletics

SAN DIEGO - Senior shortstop Mia Longfellow ripped a triple down the right field line to drive in a pair of runs in the fifth inning to help spark No. 6 ranked Oregon State to a 3-1 victory over No. 23 Massachusetts on Friday at the San Diego State Tournament.

The triple was the sixth of Longfellow’s career and helped the Beavers (1-1) push runs across the plate for the first time on the season.

Sophomore first baseman DeAnn Young extended the OSU lead to 3-0 in the top of the sixth when she hit a home run over the left field fence. Young’s blast was the eighth of her career.

“Offensively we still struggled at that beginning of the game,” said Oregon State head coach Kirk Walker. “We finally broke it open with Mia’s big triple and then with DeAnn’s home run.”

Senior pitcher Ta'Tyana McElroy (1-0) made quick work of the Minutewomen, allowing just three hits before fellow senior Brianne McGowan entered the game in relief in the bottom of the sixth inning.

“Both Ty (McElroy) and Bree (McGowan) combined for a good game,” said Walker.

UMass (0-2) got on the scoreboard when Amanda Morin led-off the sixth inning with a single and came around to score on another single by Samantha Salato.

The Minutewomen looked to add another run but the Beavers ended the inning when freshman leftfielder Alana Ford threw Carly Morin out at the plate.

Six different Beaver players picked up hits on the afternoon and senior centerfielder Natalie Johnson went 3-for-3 with a run scored.

“Natalie had a great day offensively,” said Walker. “She took advantage of the speed of the infield and did a good job working the count.”

Oregon State continues tournament play on Saturday with a 9 :00 AM start against Kansas.

“We just need to continue to relax and swing the bat better each day,” said Walker.

GAME RESULTS:

No. 6 Oregon State – 000 021 0 – 3 8 0

No. 23 Massachusetts – 000 001 0 – 1 5 1

McElroy, McGowan (6) and Ewing (OSU), Balschmiter and Wehr (UMASS). Win – McElroy (1-0). Loss – Balschmiter (0-1). 3B – Longfellow (OSU). HR – Young (OSU).

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