Hampton's RBI Double Lifts Beavers Over Sun Devils

Monday, March 27

Tempe, Ariz.

1:00 PM

Oregon State

16-13, 0

Arizona State

23-9, 0

Oregon State

Arizona State

Photo by: Scobel Wiggins/Oregon State Athletics

March 27, 2017 | Softball

Box Score Box Score

By: Jeff Schmidt

TEMPE, Ariz. – Redshirt senior, Natalie Hampton, blasted a RBI double in the top of the seventh to help Oregon State record its first Pac-12 win and a 5-4 victory over Arizona State in the finale game of the wrap-around series. Hampton is now one RBI short from tying the career RBI record set by Terrah Beyster from 1997-2000.

Oregon State struggled in the series when runners have been in scoring position, but Monday was a new day. The Beavers loaded the bases in the first frame before Alyssa Pelegrin hit a single into center field to score two runs and give them an early lead.

The Beavers forced the Sun Devils down in order in the first two frames, behind Meehra Nelson's three strikeouts. Arizona State used some timely hits in the third inning to score a pair of runs with two outs to tie the game, 2-2.

The Sun Devils took the lead in the fourth after a two-run homer gave them a 4-2 advantage.

The Beavers would not go away easy. Oregon State started to chip away at the deficit in the fifth, after Shelby Weeks hit a sac fly to right field to trail by one. In the sixth, Sammi Noland tied the game at 4-4 after blasting a double to left field to score pinch hitter Riley Gregoire.

The Sun Devils loaded the bases with one out in the sixth frame, but a fielder's choice and a strike out by Nerissa Eason got the Beavers off the field.

Oregon State started the final inning with two outs before Weeks hit an infield single to key the scoring play. Natalie Hampton followed with a double to right center to allow Weeks to come around and score to give the Beavs the lead again.

The Sun Devils put a runner on base in the bottom half of the inning, but would not find the equalizer.

McKenna Arriola paced the offense with two hits and a stolen base. Alyssa Pelegrin led the Beavers with two RBI, while Weeks and Hampton also recorded one.

Meehra Nelson started the game and pitched 3 2/3 innings, allowing four runs on four hits, while striking out four batters. Nerissa Eason entered the game in the fourth inning and hurled the remaining 3 1/3 frames to pick up the win. The pair combined for eight strikeouts and two earned runs.

Oregon State (16-13, 1-5 Pac-12) enters its bye week playing a non-conference tilt at Portland State on Wednesday starting at 5 p.m.

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

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