No. 11 Oregon State Defeats Nevada, Oklahoma State

Oregon State put both games out of reach with a pair of home runs.

Senior pitcher Brianne McGowan tossed a shutout and went 3-for-5 with a home run from the plate. Photo: OSU Athletics

FULLERTON, Calif. - The No. 11 ranked Oregon State softball team returned to its winning ways on Friday with a pair of shutout victories on the opening day of the CSUF Worth Tournament.

OSU knocked off University of Nevada, 3-0, before topping Oklahoma State, 4-0.

The Beavers (10-5) extended their current winning streak in the month of March to 30 consecutive games, dating back to the 2004 season.

“This was two good shutout wins for our program against a pair of teams that consistently make the NCAA Tournament,” said OSU head coach Kirk Walker. “Both of our pitchers (Brianne McGowan and Ta'Tyana McElroy) threw extremely well and really stepped up to lead the way.”

Oregon State got on the scoreboard early in both contests and put the game out of reach with a pair of home runs.

In the opener, the Beavers took advantage of senior shortstop Mia Longfellow’s 200th career hit which drove in sophomore DeAnn Young to give OSU an early 1-0 lead in the second inning against Nevada.

Senior pitcher Brianne McGowan (6-2) breezed through the Wolfpack batters, scattering three hits in the complete game shutout. McGowan helped her own cause by going 2-for-3 from the plate with a double.

OSU put the game out of reach when junior All-American Cambria Miranda belted her team-leading third home run of the season with a seventh inning shot over the center field fence.

Later in the day against Oklahoma State, the Beavers once again took an early lead when senior Sherina Galvan drew a bases loaded walk in the opening inning.

Oregon State pushed their advantage to 4-0 when they reeled off three straight hits to start the third inning.

Natalie Johnson got things started with an infield single and then Miranda singled to right field, setting up McGowan for her 27th career home run with a shot to left-center.

Ta'Tyana McElroy (4-3) dominated in the circle, allowing just three hits and striking out three in her first complete game shutout of the year.

Oregon State continues tournament action on Saturday with a 1:30 PM outing against Minnesota and a 6:00 PM rematch with No. 8 Northwestern.

The Wildcats knocked off the Beavers by a 2-0 score last week at the Palm Springs Classic.

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