Bats Come Alive, Cotton Throws Shutout at PSU

Wednesday, May 3

Portland, Ore.

5:00 PM

Oregon State

25-22

Portland State

8-34

Oregon State

Portland State

May 03, 2017 | Softball

Box Score Box Score

By: Jeff Schmidt

HILLSBORO, Ore. – Senior Taylor Cotton picked up her sixth shutout of the season as she led Oregon State to a 8-0 victory over Portland State Wednesday night. Cotton stuck out six batters and allowed just three hits in the five inning affair while seven Beavers tallied a hit with three generating multiple this.

The Beavers scored in every frame except the third after they charged out to a 4-0 lead after the first inning. Sammi Noland started things with a RBI single and Natalie Hampton and Alysha Everett followed suite with the same to score the first three runs. Lovie Lopez increased the Beavers lead later in the inning with a sac fly to finish the scoring.

Oregon State added to its lead in the top of the second after Jessica Garcia started the inning with an infield single before working her way around and scoring on a wild pitch to give the Beavers a five-run lead.

Cotton continued to produce in the circle, as she struck out four of the next six batters.

In the fourth inning, Natalie Hampton knocked her sixth homer of the season down the left-field line to add a run to the Beavers' lead. Later in the inning, Lovie Lopez reached on an infield single before being set home by Stephanie Merwin who doubled to left center to make the score 7-0.

Portland State looked to make a push in the fourth after hitting back-to-back singles with one out, but a 5-3 double play ended the inning to keep the shutout in place.

Oregon State scored its eighth run to become run-rule eligible after McKenna Arriola beat the throw at first before swiping second to be in scoring position with just one out. Michelle Sass grounded out as Arriola advanced to third before scoring after PSU made a throwing error.

Cotton and the defense continued to be solid in the final inning, shutting the Vikings down in order.

Natalie Hampton led the Beavers with two RBIs, while Cotton was solid in the circle with six strikeouts and allowing just three hits in her sixth shutout.

Oregon State (25-22, 6-12 Pac-12) will close its home schedule this weekend hosting No. 10/11 Utah for three games starting on Friday afternoon at 1 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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