NCAA Softball: Oregon State Rolls in Home Opener

Oregon State wraps up Cascade Clash action later in the day with a 3:00 PM outing against Utah State.

Senior pitcher Brianne McGowan registered her 31st career shutout victory as the Beavers topped SDSU in the home opener. Photo: OSU Athletics

CORVALLIS - The No. 15 ranked Oregon State softball team cruised to an 8-0 victory in six innings against South Dakota State in Saturday’s home opener.

Oregon State (20-9) improved its record in home openers to 11-2 all-time under the direction of head coach Kirk Walker, as the Beavers made short work of South Dakota State (9-11) in the Cascade Clash.

OSU scored early and often, as junior utility player Cambria Miranda roped her third triple in as many games to help the Beavers take a 1-0 advantage in the bottom of the third inning.

Miranda’s shot to left-center field was her second hit of the game and plated Beaver third baseman Sherina Galvan.

OSU added another run when McGowan drew a walk and stole second base.

South Dakota State threw down to second but failed to get McGowan and it allowed Miranda to score on the play.

The Beavers added four more runs in the bottom of the fourth.

Freshman Dani Chisholm drew a bases loaded walk and Miranda was hit by a pitch to put another run on the scoreboard.

The Beavers made the score 6-0 when SDSU couldn’t handle McGowan’s single to center.

The game ended in the sixth after Miranda singled home freshman Alana Ford and then crossed the plate on a wild pitch.

McGowan (11-5) allowed just one hit and faced the minimum number of batters in the contest – throwing the complete game, with the exception of two batters that freshman Kelly Dyer faced in the sixth inning.

With the victory, McGowan moves into a tie for second place in the Oregon State all-time record book with 31 career shutouts.

Joan Harvey (1982-85) holds the school record with 32.

Miranda continued her torrid hitting, finishing the game with a perfect 3-for-3 clip, three RBI and two runs scored.

Over the last two days, the All-American has gone 9-for-11 (.818) from the plate with three triples and six runs scored.

Oregon State wraps up Cascade Clash action later in the day with a 3:00 PM outing against Utah State.

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