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Softball Recap: Beavs Beat Portland State and Take Utah Series

Beavs get back on the winning track!

By Leo Castaneda
Oregon State Softball

After getting swept by the rivals down the road, the Oregon State Softball team rebounded this week by pounding Portland State again, and then taking the conference series against #10 ranked (USA Today/Coaches) Utah Utes.

Versus Portland State

The Beavers routed the Vikings en route to a run-ruled 8-0 victory. Starting pitcher Taylor Cotton was unconscious, striking out six batters against only 3 hits. The offense gave Cotton an early boost with a four run first inning, then added insurance runs in the second, fourth, and fifth innings. Natalie Hampton paced the Beavers with two hits, two RBIs, and a home run. In their two match-ups this season, the Beavers outscored the Vikings 17-0 in just ten total innings.

Game One Versus Utah

Oregon State started the series against #10 Utah with a 5-0 shocker. Cotton and the defense were en fuego yet again as they only allowed 1 hit from Utah. In the fifth innining, the offense did their most damage, scoring four runs on a wild pitch and two doubles after loading the bases. The shut-out was Cotton’s seventh of the season.

Game Two Versus Utah

This time the Beavers came back from a 0-1 deficit in the sixth inning to win the series clincher 3-1. Cotton played her third complete game of the week, allowing just two hits to the #10 ranked Utes. Both teams struggled to score until the fifth inning where the Utes got on the board with a home run. The Beavers answered in the sixth inning, after an error led to a tying run for Riley Gregoire. Shelby Weeks then came in the clutch to put the the Beavers ahead for good on a two RBI single.

Game Three Versus Utah

The third game in the series did not go the Beavers way as they dropped their final home game 6-0. The bats for Utah were hot as they tallied 11 hits, while the Beavers struggled to get runners home, leaving eight players on base. It was not the note that the softball team wanted to end on as three seniors, pitcher Taylor Cotton, infielders Natalie Hampton and Sammi Noland, say goodbye to the OSU Softball Complex. Despite the loss, the Beavers get another conference series win against a highly ranked opponent to boost their resume for the postseason.