Home Run Lifts Beavers Over Liberty, 3-1

The Beavers will play in Saturday’s tournament championship game against host University of Hawaii.

Photo: OSU Athletics

HONOLULU - Oregon State catcher Tarah Black came up big again as the freshman roped a seventh inning 3-run home run over the left-center field fence to help the No. 14 ranked Beavers rally back for a 3-1 victory over Liberty in Friday’s action at the Hawaiian Airlines Spring Fling Tournament.

Black, from Portland, OR, has three career hits – all three have been home runs, including a grand slam earlier in the week against Boston College.

The Beavers (15-8) headed into the seventh inning trailing by a 1-0 margin after Liberty’s Jessica Moore belted a sixth inning solo home run off of the right field scoreboard.

Sophomore second baseman Paige Lowe reached base on a one-out bunt single in Oregon State’s half of the seventh and freshman Alana Ford followed with a single through the right-side to set up Black’s game-winning shot.

In the bottom of the seventh, Beaver centerfielder Natalie Johnson made a spectacular diving catch and pitcher Ta'Tyana McElroy (7-4) recorded a pair of strikeouts to secure the victory.

Early on, the Beavers worked their way out of a jam in the bottom of the third after the lead-off batter reached on an error and was sacrificed to third base.

Johnson came up with a big out when she snagged a line drive and right fielder Cambria Miranda ended the inning with a catch in foul territory at the fence.

Liberty once again threatened in the fourth inning but Ford threw out a baserunner attempting to cross the plate and Black put on the tag to keep the game scoreless.

Beaver senior Sherina Galvan made several stellar defensive plays at third base in the stretch to keep the Flames at bay.

McElroy earned the complete game victory in the circle and lowered her ERA to a team-leading 1.24.

Ford finished the game with a 2-for-2 effort from the plate, while Lowe went 2-for-3.

Oregon State will play in Saturday’s tournament championship game against host University of Hawaii.

First pitch is scheduled for 4:00 PM PST.

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