Oregon State Closes Easton Invitation with Two Shutouts

FULLERTON, Calif. - The Oregon State softball team closed the Easton Invitational with two shutout wins against Utah State (6-0) and Cal State Fullerton (11-0, 5 inn.).
 
The Beavers were led by a standout showing with home runs from freshman Charity Sevaaetasi, senior Fallon Molnar, and junior Missy Nunes. Sevaaetasi hit her first career homer while Molnar and Nunes combined for seven RBIs against the Titans.
 
OSU was further highlighted by the defense led by junior Mariah Mazon and senior Nerissa Eason. The two pitchers combined for 12 strikeouts throughout the two games. Mazon pitched her first no-hitter of the season while Eason allowed just two hits in a five-inning game.
 
Game one vs. Utah State - Win, 6-0
 
The game opened with two quiet innings. Each half held three or four plays with Mazon notching one strikeout in each inning.
 
The Beavers opened the scoring in the third inning. Freshman Xiao Gin doubled for the first hit of the game before freshman Madison Simon hit a single. Mazon reached first base on an error, allowing both Gin and Simon to hit home plate. 
 
Oregon State followed the solid offensive appearance with three-straight outs to complete the third inning. 
 
After a quick fourth inning, Sevaatasi added a run with her first career homer to make the score 3-0. 
 
Oregon State furthered its solid lead in the top of the seventh inning. Freshman Ivana Perez opened the final inning with a base hit before Gin notched her second double of the day, earning the team's fourth run as Perez scored. Simon added to the lead with a triple as Gin ran over home plate. Mazon connected with the ball for an RBI, leading Simon home.
 
The OSU defense shined against Utah State, combining for the team's first no-hitter on the season. Their final three innings saw nine plays with three-straight outs in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings. 
 
The Beavers finished the game with seven hits and no errors. Mazon held off the Aggies with seven strikeouts.
 
Simon, Sevaaetasi, Mazon, and Gin each earned one RBI for the Beavers.
 
Game two vs Cal State Fullerton - Win, 11-0 (5 innings)
 
The Beavers started right away with a strong offense. Simon, the leadoff batter, hit a single followed by another single by Sevaaetasi. Sophomore Frankie Hammoude grabbed a base hit as Simon scored Oregon State's first run.
 
Eason, and the OSU defense, served up a 1-2-3 inning that included two strikeouts.
 
Oregon State gained two runs when Gin hit her first double of the game, earning two RBIs. The Beavers closed out the second inning in four plays.
 
OSU kicked up its offense in the third inning. Mazon (walked) and Hammoude (hit by pitch) were on base when Nunes hit a single. Molnar, a pinch hitter for Perez, hit a grand slam. Under pressure with two outs down and a full count, she added four RBIs to the three-run Beaver lead. 
 
On a roll, the Oregon State defense closed the third inning with a double play. 
 
Nunes hit her third home run of the weekend to add three runs, making it 10-0 heading into the fifth inning. The final inning saw another Beaver run as Oregon State secured the shutout win.
 
The Beavers finished the game with 10 hits and no errors. Eason struck out five batters and, along with the rest of the team, allowed just two hits and no runs against the Titans.
 
Oregon State returns to action tomorrow at 12 p.m. at Loyola Marymount.
 
For more information on the Oregon State softball team, visit OSUBeavers.com or follow the team on Twitter and Instagram, @BeaverSoftball.
 
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