The Oregon State University Beavers endured a tough 4-6 loss in the second game of a doubleheader, tying up a three-game series at Kelly Field against the No. 21 University of Arizona Wildcats.
The contest, initially slated for Sunday, March 10, was rescheduled at short notice due to concerns about weather-related conditions.
“I don’t think it affected our performance at all, they’re used to playing doubleheaders,” said head coach Laura Berg. “We played them the first four weekends of this season, I thought they did a great job of adjusting and knowing that we’re gonna play two.”
This is a matchup that has historically favored the Wildcats who are 19-9 at Kelly Field and Arizona got to business quickly in a familiar stadium.
In just the first inning, Regan Shockey was able to score off of a hit by her teammate Olivia Dinardo. In the fifth inning the Wildcats would increase their lead to two with a hit from Carlie Scupin that allowed runner Dakota Kennedy to score.
Despite being down two runs, the Beavers pushed forward, rallying with a home run from
Paige Doerr, which shifted the momentum. This was followed by a deep single to center field from Grace Messmer, allowing Eliana Gottlieb to advance to second while Savanah Whatley scored.
Before the fifth inning could conclude, Doerr singled to center field, allowing both Messmer and Gottlieb to score, solidifying a two-run lead at the end of the inning.
The Beavers held onto their lead tightly until the seventh inning, during which Kennedy doubled to center field, allowing Jasmine Perezchica to score. This was soon followed by another double, this time from Scupin, allowing Kennedy to score once again and tie the game.
But it was Allie Skaggs that sealed the Beavers fate hitting a home run allowing Scupin to score a run and reclaiming a two-run lead for Arizona
The series is tied one to one, yet the Beavers hope to turn the tide in the final game tomorrow, March 9 at 5 p.m.
“The second game just kinda got away from us,” said Coach Berg. “We out hit them, and I expect the same thing tomorrow.”