Oregon State Out-Hits Opponent, But Drops 8-6 Decision To Utah

Ya Garcia was 2-for-2 with a run scored against Utah on Saturday evening.

April 28, 2012

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah - For the 27th time this season, the No. 23 Oregon State softball team out-hit its opponent, but on Saturday evening the Beavers' 11 base knocks weren't enough, as OSU dropped a Pac-12 road contest to Utah, 8-6.

The result moves OSU's record to 32-16 overall and 7-9 in conference play.

Oregon State reached double digits in hits for the 10th time this season and scored in all but two innings, but a pair of crooked numbers gave the Utes (26-22) all they would need for the victory. Coming into the game, OSU was 24-2 when it registered more hits than its opponent this season.

The Beavers scored a run in the top of the first when Elizabeth Santana led off the game with a single, moved to second on a groundout and then was driven home on a double by Erin Guzy. The two-bagger was the senior's 29th of her career, placing her in a tie for 11th all-time at Oregon State.

Utah answered back with a four-spot in its half of the opening frame, highlighted by a two-run home run off the bat of Kate Dickman.

Oregon State would continue to chip away at the Utes' lead, eventually pulling to within a single run at 5-4 in the fourth, but a Tia Palauni three-run shot gave Utah a four-run lead that the Beavers couldn't overcome.

Guzy (2-for-4), Ya Garcia (2-for-2) and Hannah Bouska (2-for-4) all had multi-hit efforts for the Orange & Black. Bouska, Lea Cavestany and Desiree Beltran all extended their hitting streaks to three games and Guzy reached base safely in her 13th consecutive contest.

Dani Gilmore also went 1-for-3 with a RBI and a run scored. Her third-inning stolen base was her 12th swipe of the season, which moves her into a tie for 10th in program history. With two more runs scored she would move into the same position in that category as well.

Despite the loss, the Beavers' six-run outburst gives them 265 this season, which continues to move them up OSU's all-time list. This year's team is now fifth in runs scored in a single season and just two shy of moving into fourth place.

The third and final game of the series begins tomorrow at 11 a.m. PT/12 p.m. MT.

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