Beavers Earn Split with No. 3 Oregon

CORVALLIS, Ore. – The Oregon State softball team split its double-header against No. 3 Oregon Friday afternoon at Kelly Field.
 
The Beavers opened the day with an 8-1 victory over the Ducks behind an impressive pitching performance from Mariah Mazon. Oregon took the second game by a score of 4-0.
 
Game 1 – Oregon State 8, Oregon 1
 
Oregon State took game one, scoring in five of the six innings it came to the plate to hand Oregon its second loss of the season.
 
Mazon once again shined in the circle and the box, pitching all seven innings without allowing an earned run. She struck out seven and conceded just two hits. On the offensive end, she tallied three hits and three RBIs.
 
Maia Rader matched an Oregon State record with four runs scored, as she reached base twice via hit and twice via walk. Madison Simon blasted her second homer of the season, while Missy Nunes recorded three RBIs, including a two-run double.
 
Oregon started game one with the lead as the Ducks plated an unearned run in the top of the first. The Beavers answered in the bottom of the frame, as Mazon singled to drive in Rader from second. Madison Simon put the Beavers in front in the second with a solo shot to left center.
 
Oregon State tacked on another three runs in the bottom of the third, as Mazon knocked in Rader with a single, and Nunes brought Charity Sevaaetasi and Mazon home with a double to right-center.
 
Mazon drove in another Beaver run in the fourth, hammering a single into center to score Rader. Oregon State headed to the fifth up 7-1 after Nunes earned an RBI when she was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.
 
Rader scored her fourth run of the contest, hustling home on a sixth-inning wild pitch to lock down the seven-run victory.
 
Game 2- Oregon 4, Oregon State 0
                                                                      
Oregon State battled in game two, but was unable to overcome a strong outing from the Oregon pitcher as the Ducks took the 4-0 victory.
 
Nerissa Eason struck out seven while allowing just two earned runs in five innings of work for the Beavers.
 
Mazon, Hammoude and Xiao Gin all recorded hits in the contest.
 
The Beavers got a runner in scoring position in the third, as Gin doubled to right-center, but she was stranded. The Ducks scored an unearned run in the fourth to go in front.
 
Oregon State looked as though it might respond in the bottom of the fourth, as singles by Mazon and Hammoude gave the Beavers a pair of runners with one out. Oregon was able to work out of the jam, however, as the Ducks took a one-run advantage into the fifth.
 
Oregon tacked on two runs in the fifth and one in the sixth to take the 4-0 win. Game two of the double-header was a non-conference game.
 
The Rivalry Series is presented by Safeway-Albertsons, Spirit Mountain Casino, PacificSource Health Plans, Your Local Toyota Dealers and First Interstate Bank.
 
Oregon State and Oregon close out their four-game set on Saturday at 5 p.m.
 
OUR MISSION
Oregon State Athletics strives to Build Excellent Authentic Visionary Student-Athletes (Go BEAVS).