OSU Defeats Minnesota, Loses to No. 8 Northwestern

Salem-News.com SPORTS

FULLERTON, Calif. - The No. 11 ranked Oregon State softball team split a pair of games on Saturday at the CSUF Worth Tournament.

OSU rolled to a 7-0 shutout victory over Minnesota, before dropping an extra-inning outing to No. 8 Northwestern, 4-0.

In the opener, it was all Oregon State (11-6) from the start.

Senior shortstop Mia Longfellow sent the first pitch of the game over the leftfield fence for her second home run of the season and the Beavers proceeded to score three more runs in the frame, helped in part by a two-RBI double from sophomore Stefanie Ewing.

“Mia’s (Longfellow) home run on the first pitch of the game was a great way to set the tempo,” said Oregon State head coach Kirk Walker. “We put the pressure on them early and had a really explosive game offensively.”

OSU extended its lead to 7-0 in the top of the third inning by taking advantage of three walks, a Minnesota error, and two hits, to put the game away.

Senior pitcher Ta’Tyana McElroy (5-3) struck out four batters and allowed just two hits in five innings of work before freshman pitcher Stefanie Draper tossed two scoreless innings in relief.

Oregon State had 17 players see action in the game, with eight players picking up hits, including a 2-for-3 effort from senior Sherina Galvan.

Both teams played seven scoreless innings in the night-cap before Northwestern broke it open by taking advantage of the international tie-breaker in the top of the eighth.

The Wildcats loaded the bases and Nicole Pauly roped a two-RBI double to right field to score what proved to the be the game-winners.

NU catcher Erin Dyer followed with a two-RBI single up-the-middle to finish the scoring.

Junior Cambria Miranda led OSU with a 2-for-4 effort from the plate as the Beavers were held to just four hits in the contest.

“We had runners in scoring position in six of the eight innings and had our opportunities,” said Walker. “We just weren’t able to put together the timely hitting.”

Oregon State pitcher Brianne McGowan (6-3) had eight strikeouts in the complete game and allowed just three hits in the first seven innings of play.

Unfortunately the Wildcats tallied three hits in the extra frame.

“Bree (McGowan) pitched a great ballgame and really shut down their offense,” said Walker. “Other than a couple of timely hits in the tie-breaker, she kept their hitters in check.”

The Beavers had their winning streak in the month of March snapped at 31 consecutive games dating back to March 26th, 2004.

Oregon State concludes tournament action on Sunday with a 1:30 PM game against host CS Fullerton.

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