OSU Takes Two in Final Day of Torero Classic

SAN DIEGO – It was a dominant effort for the Oregon State softball team on Sunday, which earned a pair of victories in the final day of the Torero Classic. The Beavers defeated Iowa (7-2) and San Diego (8-1) en route to a 4-1 weekend, improving to 7-3 overall.

Mariah Mazon (2-3) threw the complete game, eight hit, eight strikeout game to earn her second victory this season in the earlier game against Iowa.

The Beavers scattered eight hits amongst six different Beavers against the Hawkeyes. Kiki Escobar and Madison Simon both went 2-for-4 while Escobar added a game-high three RBIs and a double. Xioa Gin ripped an RBI double in the top of the fourth and added two runs scored.

Oregon State (6-3) did all the necessary damage in the second with three runs while adding a pair in the fourth and sixth frames. The Beavers broke through in the second, as Des Rivera got things started with a single to left. A combination of singles, a Hawkeye error and smart base running put three on the board as OSU took the 3-0 lead.

In the fourth, OSU extended its lead to five off three hits that was started from a one-out single from Simon. Back-to-back doubles from Gin and Escobar sealed the two-run frame. A pair of unearned Beaver runs made it 7-0 midway through the sixth.  

Iowa broke through Mazon in the seventh with four hits that turned into two runs but the senior ended the inning with her eighth strikeout.

In Sunday's second game against San Diego, Oregon State collected 12 hits as five different Beavers added multiple hits. Frankie Hammoude went perfect from the plate, going 2-for-2 with two runs scored and a double. Lici Campbell (2-for-4), Escobar (2-for-5), Eliana Gottlieb (2-for-4), Mazon (2-for-4) rounded out the other multi-hit game.

Oregon State continued its dominance in the first inning, adding three runs against the Toreros. After a scoreless second, the Beavers did most of the rest of their damage in the third with five runs.

San Diego got on back in the fourth but the pitching combo of Tarni Stepto and Sarah Haendiges kept USD off the board the remainder of the game.

Stepto (3-0) received the victory, pitching five innings that saw four hits, six strikeouts and a run scored. In the final two frames, Haendiges dealt an impressive five strikeouts in seven batters.

Up Next:
OSU is set to play in the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic in Palm Springs, Calif. next weekend. The Beavers will face Tennessee (2/25), Baylor (2/25), CSUN (2/26), Southern Utah (2/26) and UC San Diego (2/27).  

For more information on the Oregon State softball team, visit OSUBeavers.com or follow the team @BeaverSoftball on Twitter and Instagram.

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