No. 17 softball splits Civil War series with No. 10 Oregon
Beavers take the Ducks to extra innings after home run by Stephanie Ewing, but are denied a weekend sweep in Eugene
The Daily Barometer
Issue date: 4/9/07 Section: Sports
Eugene - Sophomore catcher Stefanie Ewing belted a two-run home run to send the game to extra innings, but No. 10 Oregon responded, and the Ducks earned a 4-3 eight-inning victory over No. 17 Oregon State in Saturday's softball Civil War.
Oregon's (37-5; 3-2 Pac-10) victory broke Oregon State's (29-12; 3-2 Pac-10) eight-game winning streak in the series.
For the second straight day, Oregon jumped out to the early advantage. The Ducks took a 1-0 lead in the opening inning after Jennifer Salling's double down the right field line plated Suzie Barnes.
The Ducks extended their lead to 3-0 in the bottom of the fifth after scoring a pair of unearned runs on a double to left-center field from Neena Barnes.
Oregon pitcher Melissa Rice was throwing a perfect game heading into the top of the seventh inning, allowing just three balls to get outside the infield.
Beaver senior shortstop Mia Longfellow led off the seventh with a walk before fellow senior Natalie Johnson broke up Rice's no-hitter with a bunt single.
UO ace Alicia Cook entered the game and picked up the first out, but the Beavers got on the scoreboard when Brianne McGowan hit a sacrifice fly to center field that plated Longfellow.
Ewing stepped to the plate and clocked her third home run of the season with a two-run shot over the center field fence, knotting the score at 3-3.
McGowan replaced McElroy in the circle in the bottom of the seventh and fended off an attempted Duck rally to send the game to extra innings, but Oregon closed things out in the bottom of the eighth when Sari-Jane Jenkins hit a two-out infield single off the glove of Beaver first baseman DeAnn Young. Longfellow retrieved the ball, but her throw to the plate was ruled not in time by the umpire, as Amie Morris slid in safe with the game-winner.
McElroy threw well in six innings of work - her first action since March 17 - striking out six and allowing only one earned run. McGowan (18-7) suffered her first ever loss in Civil War pitching appearances.
On Friday, the Beavers took the first game by erasing a five-run deficit to beat the Ducks, 9-7. On the strength of McGowan's two home runs, Oregon State earned its 29th win overall of the season and went to 3-1 in conference. She also recorded her 800th career strikeout. Junior Cambria Miranda also added a home run to give the Beavers a spark in their comeback victory.
Oregon State returns home for a non-conference double-header against Portland State on Tuesday. The first pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. at the OSU Softball Complex, and the following game will start at 4 p.m.
Oregon's (37-5; 3-2 Pac-10) victory broke Oregon State's (29-12; 3-2 Pac-10) eight-game winning streak in the series.
For the second straight day, Oregon jumped out to the early advantage. The Ducks took a 1-0 lead in the opening inning after Jennifer Salling's double down the right field line plated Suzie Barnes.
The Ducks extended their lead to 3-0 in the bottom of the fifth after scoring a pair of unearned runs on a double to left-center field from Neena Barnes.
Oregon pitcher Melissa Rice was throwing a perfect game heading into the top of the seventh inning, allowing just three balls to get outside the infield.
Beaver senior shortstop Mia Longfellow led off the seventh with a walk before fellow senior Natalie Johnson broke up Rice's no-hitter with a bunt single.
UO ace Alicia Cook entered the game and picked up the first out, but the Beavers got on the scoreboard when Brianne McGowan hit a sacrifice fly to center field that plated Longfellow.
Ewing stepped to the plate and clocked her third home run of the season with a two-run shot over the center field fence, knotting the score at 3-3.
McGowan replaced McElroy in the circle in the bottom of the seventh and fended off an attempted Duck rally to send the game to extra innings, but Oregon closed things out in the bottom of the eighth when Sari-Jane Jenkins hit a two-out infield single off the glove of Beaver first baseman DeAnn Young. Longfellow retrieved the ball, but her throw to the plate was ruled not in time by the umpire, as Amie Morris slid in safe with the game-winner.
McElroy threw well in six innings of work - her first action since March 17 - striking out six and allowing only one earned run. McGowan (18-7) suffered her first ever loss in Civil War pitching appearances.
On Friday, the Beavers took the first game by erasing a five-run deficit to beat the Ducks, 9-7. On the strength of McGowan's two home runs, Oregon State earned its 29th win overall of the season and went to 3-1 in conference. She also recorded her 800th career strikeout. Junior Cambria Miranda also added a home run to give the Beavers a spark in their comeback victory.
Oregon State returns home for a non-conference double-header against Portland State on Tuesday. The first pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. at the OSU Softball Complex, and the following game will start at 4 p.m.
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