Pac-10 Softball: No. 17 Oregon State Drops Pac-10 Opener to No. 14 Stanford, 2-1

Oregon State hosts California on Saturday.

Senior Sherina Galvan scored OSU's lone run in the second inning on a wild pitch. Photo: OSU Athletics

CORVALLIS - A seventh inning RBI double from Alissa Haber lifted No. 14 ranked Stanford University to a 2-1 victory over No. 17 ranked Oregon State in Friday’s Pacific-10 Conference opener.

Haber’s two-out drive to the right-center field gap scored Anna Beardman for the game-winner and broke Oregon State’s (26-11; 0-1 Pac-10) six-game winning streak.

The Beavers struggled to capitalize offensively throughout the contest and went down in order in the bottom of the seventh as Cardinal pitcher Missy Penna (17-2) secured the complete game victory.

“It was a hard-fought game,” said OSU head coach Kirk Walker. “We didn’t get the breaks and they took advantage of some opportunities.”

OSU took the early lead, using a pair of walks in the bottom of the second inning to get into scoring position and then pushing a run across when senior Sherina Galvan crossed the plate on a wild pitch from the Stanford (25-6; 1-0 Pac-10) ace.

The Cardinal tied things at 1-1 in the top of the fifth inning, using back-to-back singles to open the frame and then scoring a two-out unearned run on Michelle Smith’s misplayed grounder.

With one-out in the inning and the bases loaded, Beaver senior shortstop made a diving grab of Haber’s line drive to the left-side of the infield keeping the Cardinal from getting on the board.

Oregon State senior pitcher Brianne McGowan (15-6) scattered six hits and struck out five batters in the complete game appearance.

The Reno, NV native still needs just two victories to become OSU’s all-time wins leader. Former All-American Tarrah Beyster (1997-00) currently holds the record with 91 victories.

Paige Lowe, Natalie Johnson and DeAnn Young each had hits for OSU on the afternoon.

Oregon State hosts California on Saturday in a re-match of last season’s NCAA Super Regional. The Beavers and Bears square-off at 1:00 PM.

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