Oregon State Drops Game Two at Wildcat Invitational

TUCSON, Ariz. - The Oregon State softball team fought hard but it was Seattle taking home the 2-1 win, Saturday morning.
 
"Today was not our best hitting day but I saw a lot of good actions from the players," said head coach Laura Berg. "We need to be better at in-game making adjustments fast."

Senior pitcher Nerissa Eason started strong pitching for three strikeouts in the first inning. 
 
The Redhawks hit the first single of the game to open the second inning. Their second hit notched Seattle their first of two unearned runs in the bottom of the inning. 
 
Both the third and fourth returned to the speed of the first with seven total plays in each inning. Junior pitcher Mariah Mazon took control of the mound in the fifth as the Beavers looked to gain ground against Seattle.
 
Redeeming itself from allowing two runs in the second, the OSU defense let the Redhawks see just one hit in the final five innings. 
 
Sophomore Frankie Hammoude put the Beavers on the board with her second home run of the season to open the bottom of the fifth. Junior Missy Nunes and freshman Grace Messmer each hit a single to follow Hammoude. Leaving three on base for Oregon State, the Redhawks grabbed three outs to close the inning with a 2-1 lead. 
 
OSU battled to take the lead in the bottom of the seventh inning. Nunes sent a single to centerfield to start things off. Redshirt-freshman Bailey McLaughlin stepped in to pinch hit but drew a walk instead. Messmer hit a bunt to advance Nunes and freshman Ivana Perez, running for McLaughlin. With one out and a runner on second and third, the Seattle defense struck out two batters to seal the 2-1 win.
 
In a very close game, both Oregon State and Seattle put up eight strikeouts with the Beavers out-hitting the Redhawks, 5-3. 
 
The Beavers will return to close the weekend tomorrow (Feb. 28) against No. 3 Arizona at 10 a.m. PT. 
 
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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