Beavers Fall to Florida in First Game of WCWS

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oregon State softball team dropped its first game of the Women's College World Series Thursday evening, as the Beavers fell to No. 14 Florida 7-1.
 
With the defeat, the Beavers will now play in an elimination game at 6:30 p.m. PT Friday evening.
 
Frankie Hammoude drove in Oregon State's lone run, plating Xiao Gin after the DP had doubled. Eliana Gottlieb, Des Rivera and Savanah Whatley also recorded hits in the contest.
 
Sarah Haendiges got the start in the circle, striking out a pair and allowing four earned runs. Tarni Stepto also struck out a pair, as she entered for one and a third innings of relief.
 
The Beavers jumped out to an early lead, as Hammoude knocked in Gin with an RBI single to center. Oregon State loaded the bases with three consecutive singles in the second, but was unable to bring any of the runners home. Florida score a pair of unearned runs in the bottom of the frame to take the lead.
 
Kaylah Nelsen made a nice play in right to help keep the Gators scoreless in the third, running into the wall as she made the catch on the warning track. Florida tacked on two more runs in the fourth, and three more in the fifth to go up 7-1.
 
Friday's game will pit the Beavers against the losing team from tonight's contest between Arizona and Oklahoma State.
 
Oregon State is making its second ever appearance in the Women's College World Series, and its first since 2006.
 
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