Beavers Open Home Slate with Two Shutout Victories Over Sacramento State

CORVALLIS, Ore. - The Oregon State pitchers led the softball team to an 8-0, six-inning win, twice, against Sacramento State to open play at the newly-named Kelly Field, Friday evening.
 
"The pitchers did a great job in the circle," said head coach Laura Berg. "I'm really proud of them for attacking the hitters. We made some great defensive plays behind our stellar pitching. Once we got the defense down, our hitting came around later in the games."
 
Junior pitcher Mariah Mazon and senior pitcher Trystan Melancon combined for 24 strikeouts throughout the team's 12 innings against the Hornets. Mazon pitched for the Beavers' first perfect game of the season while Melancon earned her first no-hitter at Oregon State.
 
Game one vs. Sacramento State - W, 8-0 (6 inn.)
 
Mazon opened the game with two strikeouts before sophomore Frankie Hammoude completed the top half with an unassisted out at first.
 
Freshman Madison Simon hit the Beavers' first single in the bottom of the first but the Hornets closed the first inning leaving Simon on base.
 
On her way to surpassing her personal record of 12 strikeouts in one game, Mazon struck out all six batters in the third and fourth innings.
 
After four outstanding defensive innings, Mazon opened the bottom of the fourth with a single to third base. Hammoude followed with a home run to left field for a 2-0 lead.
 
The fifth inning saw another two runs for the Beavers. Originally reaching first base off an error by shortstop, freshman Xiao Gin scored when sophomore Maia Rader hit a triple to right field. Simon followed up with a connection but was out at first, allowing Rader to score to give OSU a 4-0 lead.
 
Mazon struck out the final three batters to break her previous personal record with 13 strikeouts in one game.
 
Junior Missy Nunes hit a double to open the final inning before freshman Grace Messmer and Gin reached base on an error. With the bases loaded, Rader reached first base on the Hornets' fourth error of the game before advancing to second for two RBI. Simon singled for the Beavers' final two runs.
 
Rader and Simon each led with three RBI while Hammoude followed with two RBI and a home run.
 
Game two vs. Sacramento State - W, 8-0 (6 inn.)
 
Melancon started the second game strong with five strikeouts in the first two innings.
 
OSU's Hammoude made a connection for the first hit of the game to start the bottom of the second inning. Nunes hit a triple but the Hornets tallied three outs to leave Hammoude and Nunes on base.
 
A Hornet was hit by a pitch before stealing second but Sacramento State's third batter lined into a double play to close the top of the third inning. 
 
Gin opened the bottom of the third with a double to right field. Both Rader and Simon followed with singles, sending Gin home for the Beavers' first run. During Hammoude's plate appearance, Rader and Simon stole third and second, respectively, before Hammoude hit a single to send them both home for a 3-0 edge.
 
Melancon struck out four more batters in the fourth and fifth innings, including all three in the fourth.
 
The Hornets held off the Beaver batters in the fourth but Hammoude started off the fifth with a single to right center. Messmer and sophomore Ashton Zeiher each hit a double for an RBI bringing Oregon State to a 5-0 lead.
 
Closing the game in the sixth inning, Mazon grabbed a base hit to send Rader in for the first run of the sixth. Hammoude drew a walk and Nunes hit a single to fill the bases with just one out. Sevaaetasi and Zeiher each notched a single for the final two runs of the game. 
 
Finishing with two outs down, Oregon State took their second 8-0 victory over Sacramento State.
 
Melancon finished with 11 strikeouts for her first no-hitter at OSU.
 
Hammoude and Zeiher led the Beavers with two RBI each while four different players hit a double.
 
Oregon State beat the Hornets with zero errors in the first game and one error in the second game. The Beavers did not allow one hit from the Hornets during either game.
 
OSU will head on the road to face No. 5 Oregon tomorrow at 3:30 p.m.
 
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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