Oregon State Softball 2017 Season Preview

CORVALLIS, Ore. — Energetic. Relentless. Gritty.

Those are the words that head coach Laura Berg used to describe the 2017 Oregon State softball team. In her fifth year directing the program, Berg boasts a squad that returns six starters from a record-setting lineup, as well as a pair of pitchers and a talented class of newcomers. This season of OSU softball will lean on those three aforementioned characteristics to pilot through a challenging schedule.

Oregon State's 2017 slate begins with a trip to Hawaii for the Paradise Classic where the Beavers will face a trio of teams, including UAB who finished ranked 64th in RPI last season. Following its trip to the Islands, Oregon State will head south to New Mexico for five games at the Troy Cox Classic where it will face its first ranked opponent - No. 15 Tennessee who reached the postseason in 2016.

The Beavers will continue seeing 2016 postseason teams, as they face a pair at the Mary Nutter Classic from Feb. 24-26, playing Long Beach State and Nebraska. Miami (Ohio) and McNeese State highlight five San Diego Classic (March 3-5) opponents who both reached postseason play a season ago. Oregon State will finish its tournament season at the Fresno State Classic (March 10-12) facing another 2016 tournament team, when it faces preseason No. 24 Fresno State.

Oregon State will begin its home schedule on March 13-its earliest game since 2010-when it plays host to No. 16/14 Minnesota who is coming off a Big Ten Championship.

"Those games are the ones that are going to prepare us for the Pac-12," Berg said. "Pac-12 series aren't easy. It does not matter who you are playing, one through nine in the standings. It is not easy and it is a grind. Playing a tough schedule before that is really going to prepare our players for those types of games, in terms of what to expect and for what types of pressure will be on them in conference play."

All together, the Beavers are set to play eight games against last season's NCAA Tournament participants before opening the Pac-12 schedule from March 17-19 hosting preseason No. 10/12 Arizona, one of six conference foes to be nationally ranked prior to the 2017 season.

"Playing in the Pac-12 is like playing a Super Regional every weekend," Berg said. "It really is – you're playing tough teams and very good competition and if you don't adjust, you won't survive. Having six of the nine teams in the Pac-12 ranked is not uncommon."

Oregon State was voted to finish seventh in the Pac-12, receiving 21 votes ahead of Arizona State and Stanford.

"I don't see us as the underdog, because I know how good we are," Berg said. "We use that poll as a chip on our shoulder to go out there and make noise and use it as a way to get respect."

Following the Arizona series, Oregon State will begin its conference road schedule at Arizona State from March 25-27. The Beavers will then travel to Portland State on March 29 for their first game of a home-and-home series. Oregon State will also travel to No. 13 Washington (March 7-9), No. 9 Oregon (April 28-30) and will close its season at California (May 11-13).

Oregon State will wrap up their 2016 conference slate with three addition home series: No. 8 UCLA from April 13-15, Stanford (April 21-23) and versus No. 18/17 Utah (May 5-7).

The Beavers will also file in five non-conference games at the OSU Softball Complex starting with a pair of games against BYU and UNLV from March 31-April 2. The Beavers will close its home non-conference schedule finishing a home-and-home series with Portland State on April 18.

In advance of the 2016 season, OSUBeavers.com sat down with Coach Berg and broke down the pitching staff, the infield, the outfield and the newcomers.

PITCHING STAFF
Oregon State will lean on several pitchers in its 2017 matchups, led by returning sophomore ace right-hander Meehra Nelson. Senior left-hander Taylor Cotton gives the Beavers a look from the other side of the circle, while high school standout righty Nerissa Eason and sophomore transfer Shawna Burke completes the four sum.

"I think we have a really good pitching staff that complement each other very well," Berg said. "Meehra has a year of experience under her belt and had a really good freshman campaign. She knows that her mistakes will get hit and has learned to limit those and make adjustments."

Nelson tallied the fourth-highest innings pitched total in the Pac-12 last season (174.1) en route to a 16-10 record an ERA of 2.93, the ninth-best mark in the conference in 2016. The West Lake, Calif., native struck out 211 batters last year, the second-highest total in the Pac-12, while holding opposing batters to a combined batting average of .199, the second-lowest mark in the league. Besides making a footprint in the conference rankings, Nelson also made her mark in the Oregon State record books, setting a single-season saves record with seven.

Cotton picked up 10 innings in eight appearances last season and will be available to give the Beavers a change of pace from the circle. Eason, a hard-throwing right-hander from Grass Valley, Calif., will look to be a factor in her freshman campaign. The Beavers also added sophomore transfer Shawna Burke from Boise State and will look to her to hurl a few innings of relief.

"Nerissa is young, but very experienced in the big games," said Berg. "She will do a lot of great things for us and with the combination of the other pitchers, it will be a great combo because they complement each other very well.

INFIELD
Of the six lineup regulars returning for Oregon State in 2017, three return in the infield, highlighted by junior shortstop McKenna Arriola. The West Hills, Calif., native is a key role both offensively and defensively for the Beavers. Arriola has started all 103 games in her career, making her the most experienced in her class. Besides recording a .919 fielding percentage, she also boasts a .368 batting average which led the team in 2016.

"I've seen McKenna really mature since her freshman year and she has grown into a player that is a strong leader," said Berg. "Not only in the infield, but also in the lineup. Just her overall experiences, with two years under her belt, as well as playing with the National Junior will give her something to lean on and she is a great experienced player and will do a lot of good things for us.

Oregon State returns two athletes that split time at first base in 2016. Redshirt senior Natalie Hampton, who tied her own school record for the single-season RBI record in 2016 (50), appeared in 21 games at first, while junior Alysha Everett started 31. Hampton is tabbed as the Beavers offensive threat at the plate, recording a .349 average and hitting a team-high nine home runs last season.

"Nat just seems to be on a different level right now," said Berg. "Being a fifth-year senior and been to the postseason twice, she has really taken those experiences and put them under her belt. She has really matured as a leader in the infield and says the right things at the right time and everyone seems to jump onboard."

The Beavers will look to replace holes at second and third base, but have not had to look far. Freshman Stephanie Merwin has been filling the void at second base this preseason and she is no stranger to the infield. The Richland, Wash., native has played the infield since high school when she was a four-time all-conference and all-area honoree and was named team MVP her senior year at Richland HS. Redshirt senior Sammi Noland will staff the hot corner after returning for her final year as a Beaver. The Tucson, Ariz., native suffered a season-ending injury in 2016, which left the Beavers without one of its top offensive players from 2015.

"Sammi is like a Swiss Army Knife. We can put her anywhere and she'll get the job done," said Berg. "She has experience in the outfield, she got some time behind the dish and I know I can put her anywhere and she'll get the job done. Obviously, she is a weapon with her bat, so it will be fun to see what she does her senior year."

"Stephanie is young and she is learning a lot," continued Berg. "She is a sponge that is doing great things so far, but sometimes I have to remind her not to think so much and to just play."

Completing the infield depth chart is at the catcher position. The Beavers benefit from the return of sophomore Kayleen Shafer, who started 47 games in 2016 after Noland suffered her season-ending injury.

"Kayleen is just solid behind the plate," said Berg. "She comes up big in at-bats and big behind the plate. Whether it is dealing with the pitchers or umpires, she will call time at the perfect time, bring the team together, and get them on the right track. I am seeing her emerge as a leader. She was very shy her first year, but now she is coming out of her shell and I'm excited for her."

OUTFIELD
Veteran is the theme for the Oregon State outfield in 2017. The Beavers return all three starters in the field, including junior Lovie Lopez. Lopez, who has started 97 of 99 games, will lead the outfield, while also looking to continue her speed around the bases. The Santa Fe Springs, Calif., native led the team in doubles with 14 last season and finished fourth in the Pac-12 rankings. Sophomores Shelby Weeks and Jessica Garcia will complete the outfield trio.

"I'm excited about the outfielders," said Berg. "They have experience under their belt now and know what to expect. They know their abilities and know what they are capable of doing. They had some young moments last year, but now that they are matured and have some experience; they know what is coming and how to get the job done."

NEWCOMERS
Additions to the Oregon State softball team were not just limited to the players this season. 2017 will mark the debut season for assistant coach Emily Friedman, who returns to the Pac-12 after playing at California from 2005-06.

"Emily has a great story," said Berg. "She has done a bunch of different things and has a lot of life lessons that she can bring to these student-athletes. She has brought a new energy, new drills and can break down drills to explain why we do them. She is fun to be around and intense and the players love it. They have a connection with her. They get her."

Overall, what can Beaver fans expect to see out of the seven OSU newcomers set to make their respective collegiate debuts this season? For Berg, it is a competitive spirit that stands out for the group of newcomers.

"They are fun and exciting," said Berg. "They bring something new. I know they have not had a collegiate year under their belt, but they will push the returners for a starting position, so competition is great. You need to have that on your team. They are excited and they do not know what is exactly out there yet, but I'm excited to see what they do."

The Oregon State softball team is set to begin its 2017 campaign on Thursday, Feb. 9, when the Beavers face UAB to open the Paradise Classic in Honolulu, Hawaii. OSU will face the Dragons at 12:00 p.m., PT, before a matinee matchup with Sacramento State at 2:30 p.m., PT. The Beavers will continue the tournament with a 7:00 p.m., PT meeting with Hawai'I on Friday, Feb. 10, and close the weekend out with a 9:00 a.m., PT rematch with Sacramento State and an 11:00 a.m., PT game against UAB on Saturday, Feb. 11.

For more information on the Oregon State softball team, follow the team's official Twitter and Instagram accounts @BeaverSoftball or by Facebook at /BeaverSoftballBeaverSoftball or by Facebook at /BeaverSoftball

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Players Mentioned

McKenna Arriola

Shawna Burke

Taylor Cotton

Nerissa Eason

Alysha Everett

Jessica Garcia

Natalie Hampton

Lovie Lopez

Stephanie Merwin

Meehra Nelson

Sammi Noland

Kayleen Shafer

Shelby Weeks

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