Haendiges and Oregon State Shutout Cal in Series Opener

BERKELEY, Calif. – Freshman Sarah Haendiges threw a complete game of two-hit ball, and struck out five as the No. 23 Oregon State softball team blanked California, 4-0, to start the Pac-12 series in Berkeley, Calif. on Friday afternoon.
 
The Beavers (27-8, 3-4 Pac-12) shutout the Golden Bears (21-13, 3-4 Pac-12) and have now allowed just two runs in five games, outscoring their opponents 20-2. Kiki Escobar and Madison Simon led the offense with a pair of hits that included a double each. Grace Messmer added a team-high two runs batted in.
 
Haendiges picked up her eighth win of the season and moved her ERA to 1.97.
 
Oregon State provided run support in the top of the third, plating three runs off three hits and two Golden Bear miscues. Eliana Gottlieb and Frankie Hammoude collected a pair of singles while Simon ripped an RBI double.  
 
Haendiges retired the side in the first four innings before giving up the first Cal hit of the game.
 
Messmer extended OSU's lead to 4-0 in the top of the seventh with an infield single, scoring Savanah Whatley.
 
Haendiges ended any sort of Cal comeback in the final inning, despite giving up a one-out single.
 
Oregon State and Cal are back in action tomorrow for game-two of the series, beginning at 1 p.m. The series finale is slated for Sunday, April 3 at 12 p.m. All games are streamed on Cal's live stream.