Feb. 14, 2013

Game Notes

CORVALLIS, Ore. - The Oregon State softball team finished its first weekend of the 2013 season with a 3-3 record. Inside that .500 record, though, were some special performances. Freshman first baseman Natalie Hampton and senior starting pitcher Marina Demore led the charge for the Beavers.

Hampton opened her collegiate career with a bang as she hit .421 with two home runs and nine RBIs in the Beavers' first six games. In her first game against Stephen F. Austin, she compiled three hits in four at-bats including a two-run single in her first career at-bat. Later in the game, she hit her first career homer as she finished with four RBIs. She also had a double as one of two hits against Creighton. Her biggest moment came against Northwestern as she hit a first-inning grand slam to give the Beavers an early 4-0 lead. In the six games, she had three multi-hit efforts. 

In the circle, Demore shined in three starts, going 3-0 with a 0.00 ERA and getting the win in each of OSU's victories. Her overall ERA sits at 2.04. If you remove her 2/3 inning against Oklahoma, she allowed just one earned run in 23.1 innings. Against San Jose State on Sunday, she didn't allow a fly ball out while allowing no walks and striking out five. That matched her strikeout total from the opening game against Stephen F. Austin.

The Beavers head to Las Vegas for the weekend to play five teams they have played within the past two seasons. Oregon State has won the previous meeting with each of them including four last year. The Beavers had one of the best opening days in history in 2012 against two of their opponents this weekend. They defeated BYU, 22-5, in the first game of the season and followed that with a 16-3 win against Idaho State later that same day. The Beavers' all-time record against their five opponents this weekend is 39-17.

Head coach Laura Berg earned her first career win against Stephen F. Austin last Thursday and will look to her veteran group to add to that total in Vegas. One swing of the bat from senior Lea Cavestany put the Beavers into the win column against San Jose State on Sunday, providing the only run in a 1-0 win over the Spartans. Cavestany is hitting .316 this season.

Another bright spot came in the Beavers' loss to Creighton. Though OSU lost, 5-3, freshman pitcher Sarah Shadinger came through in a big way in her first career start. She went six innings, allowing five hits while striking out nine batters.

The Beavers play Cal State Fullerton and BYU tomorrow at 11:15 a.m. and 3:45 p.m., respectively. On Saturday, OSU plays Idaho State at 3:45 p.m. and Long Beach State at 6:00 p.m. The Beavers conclude with Seattle on Sunday at 9:00 a.m.