Beavers Beat Buckeyes in ASU Invitational Finale

Sunday, March 8

Tempe, AZ

2:00 PM

Oregon State

17-9

Ohio State

8-8

Oregon State

Ohio State

March 08, 2020 | Softball

Box Score

By: Athletic Communications

Tempe, Ariz. – Oregon State put of seventh runs in the final-three innings of play in route to defeating Ohio State and improving to 17-9 on the season.

The Beavers were led offensively by Izzy Owen who went 4-for-4 with three RBI and one run scored and by Grace Messmer who finished with three hits and three runs scored.

Ohio State was the first team to get a runner on with a single into shallow-right field. That runner left early to be ruled out but was replaced by another shortly after. Freshman Xiao Gin got the Beavers out of the inning without any damage by striking out the final batter looking.

Oregon State put themselves in a good position in the top of the third to score after sophomore Izzy Owen hit a single back at the pitcher to lead-off the inning. Chance Burden executed a sac bunt to advance Owen to second with only one out, but the Beavers left Owen stranded.

The Buckeyes put another runner on in the bottom of the third but wouldn't score a run until one of the players hit a solo-home run over the left field fence in the bottom of the fourth. Gin bounced back in the circle with a strikeout on the next batter, but the Beavers trailed after the fourth inning, 1-0.

The Beavers didn't trail for long though with the top of the fifth starting with a single hit to the second baseman from Grace Messmer. Morgan Allen followed with a fielder's choice and Messmer was ruled save sliding into second. A sac bunt attempt from Owen resulted in both runners advancing a base and Owen reaching first as no one covered the bag to load the bases.

Senior Fallon Molnar came in to pinch hit for Ashton Phillips and fired a double down the left-field line to score Messmer and Allen and give the Beavers the 2-1 lead with one out. Missy Nunes stepped up two batters later and reached on an error by Ohio State's third baseman with two outs that allowed Owen to score. The Beavers held a 3-1 lead after five.

In the bottom of the sixth, Mariah Mazon replaced Gin in the circle and picked up three-quick outs, including a strikeout, to bring Oregon State back up to bat.

The hot streak continued for the Beaver offense in the sixth starting with Bailey McLaughlin hitting a single into right center. Maia Rader would run for McLaughlin as Messmer singled with a bunt and beat out the throw. Allen picked up a sac bunt to advance Rader and Messmer to second and third and allow Owen to pick up her third hit of the game with a single over the shortstop's head to score Rader.

Senior Nerissa Eason pinch hit for Burden and drew a walk to load the bases with only one out. Two batters later, Gin drew a walk to bring Messmer home extending the Beavers lead. Oregon State took a 5-1 lead into the bottom half of the inning.

Ohio State hit a solo-home run in the bottom of the sixth inning but the Beavers maintained a 5-2 lead into the seventh.

The Beavers continued to push offensively in the seventh with Mazon drawing a lead-off walk and was replaced by Karla Calderon as a pinch runner. Messmer recorded her third hit of the game with a double bouncing off the left-center wall advancing Calderon around to third. Owen followed with a double down the right line to score Calderon and Messmer while picking up her fourth hit of the game and third RBI.

The Buckeyes hit another solo-home run in the seventh, but Oregon State caps it at that to win, 7-3.

Gin made her first-career start in the circle and pitched 4.0 innings with three strikeouts. She improves to 2-0 on the season. Mazon pitched 3.0 innings with one strikeout. She picked up her fourth save of the season and the ninth of her career.

Up Next:

Oregon State opens Pac-12 play next weekend in Tucson, Ariz. against the Wildcats with action starting on Friday at 6 p.m.

For more information on the Oregon State softball team, visit OSUBeavers.com or follow the team @BeaverSoftball on Twitter and Instagram.

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