Oregon State Softball starts the Season off strong

In their season-opener in the Paradise Classic (Hawaii) the Oregon State softball team started the season 2-0. In the 1st game, the Beavers faced University of Alabama Birmingham. The Beavers cruised to a 4-0 victory over the Blazers. They then faced Sacramento State and won 6-3, after a few late errors gave way to some Hornets runs. The Beavers face the hosting school, Hawaii Rainbows, tonight at 9pm PT.

GAME 1: UAB - Speedy craftiness led to a Beavers run in the first inning, when Sidney Weeks hit a single, then stole her way to 3rd. Then Natalie Hampton came up to bat and Weeks then scored off of Hampton’s sac fly. Then in the 3rd inning, Sammie Noland hit an infield single to score Lovie Lopez. Which made it 2-0. Then, Alysha Everett was walked to load the bags, Stephanie Merwin then came up to bat and was HBP, which scored the pinch runner Riley Gergorie from 3rd. Then in the 4th, the Ladies added an insurance run, when Jessica Garcia stole 2nd, then got home off of a Blazers error.

Nerissa Eason earned her first win of the season in her first career start in the circle for the Beavers and pitched the complete game. The freshman allowed just three hits, while walking four batters and striking out eight.

Twitter

GAME 2: Sac St- Things got going in the 4th with a lead-off double by Natalie Hampton . Which was followed by a 2-run HR by Sammie Noland. Then in the 5th, Lovie Lopez with a solo dinger, gave the Beavers a 3-0 lead. Then in the 7th, stuff got crazy.. Noland talled a FC that scored Lopez. Everett then followed with a single that scored, guess who ? Hampton. Kaylenn Shafer came in and hit a sac-fly that scored Noland.

Here is an excerpt from OSUBEAVERS.COM explaining what happened with the No Hitter (Entering the final frame, the Beavers were carrying a no-hitter, but the Hornets would not let it stand. The Beavers started the inning with two errors that allowed Sac St. to load the bases with one out. The Hornets would walk in a run before a single to left center broke the no-hitter and scored another run. The Hornets would add another run before the Beavers secured the victory.)

Taylor Cotton picks up the win, no hits given up and 3 K’s. Meehra Nelson gets the all-important save, 3 K’s and 1 walk.

Twitter

This is the 3rd straight season where the Beavers have started off the season 2-0 under Head Coach Laura Berg. It is also the 5th straight season under Berg where the Beavers have started off the season 1-0. Coming into the season, the Beavers were receiving votes in the USA Today Poll.