OSU Softball Snaps Losing Skid to Arizona in Series Opener

CORVALLIS, Ore. – No. 20/22 Oregon State softball earned its 30th victory of the season on Friday evening after snapping its 15-game losing skid to No. 20 Arizona with a 4-1 win at Kelly Field.

The Beavers (30-8, 6-4 Pac-12) earned their fifth straight win after the decision against the Wildcats (20-13, 1-9 Pac-12). OSU has now allowed just two runs during the streak, outscoring their opponents 28-2. Last week's conference freshman of the week, Kiki Escobar, led the offense with a pair of hits that included a double with an RBI and run scored.

Reigning Pac-12 Pitcher of the Week, Sarah Haendiges, earned her tenth victory of the season after tossing six frames. The freshman struck out seven and allowed just three hits in the series opener. With the decision, Haendiges' ERA moves to 1.67.

For the first time in four games, Oregon State gave up its first run after a leadoff single scored by a Beaver throwing miscue. In the bottom half, a pair of sacrifice flies from Frankie Hammoude and Grace Messmer gave the Orange & Black an early 2-1 advantage.

The current Pac-12 hit leader, Escobar, added an insurance run in the bottom of the second with her ninth double of the season, driving home speedster Erin Mendoza who reached on a leadoff walk.

Haendiges retired the side in order for the first time in the game in the top of the third with a ground out and a pair of fly outs to the outfield. In the top of the fourth with a runner on first after giving up the leadoff walk, Haendiges responded after sitting down the next three with strikeouts.
 
Messmer extended the lead to three with her second sacrifice fly of the game to center field, plating Eliana Gottlieb who reached on a walk as the leadoff in the bottom half of the fifth.

Senior Mariah Mazon came in for relief, tossing the final half inning. Mazon struck out a pair after giving up a one-out double to help seal the win.

Oregon State and Arizona are back in action tomorrow for game-two of the series, beginning at 4 p.m. The series finale is slated for Sunday, April 10 at 11 a.m. All games are on the Pac-12 Network.

Olympic gold medalist and OSU gymnast Jade Carey will throw out Saturday's first pitch.

For more information on the Oregon State softball team, follow the club's official Twitter account at Twitter.com/BeaverSoftball, by Facebook at Facebook.com/BeaverSoftball or on Instagram at Instagram.com/BeaverSoftball.

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