Sometimes one break can determine the outcome of a game.
The ninth-ranked Oregon State proved this during a doubleheader at Howe Field on Sunday, beating Oregon in both games, 1-0 and 2-1.
Despite being out-hit 4-2 in the first game and 5-4 in the second, the Beavers (35-8 overall, 10-2 Pacific-10 Conference) made critical plays in key moments to sweep the season series against the Ducks and claim their sixth straight win of the season. Meanwhile, Oregon (27-18, 3-9 Pac-10) dropped its fifth straight Pac-10 game.
“It’s all about timing,” head coach Kathy Arendsen said. “Sometimes it goes your way, and sometimes it doesn’t.”
The two losses overshadowed brilliant games by both Oregon pitchers. Amy Harris allowed only two hits and one run in the first game, and freshman Alicia Cook allowed four hits and two runs in the second.
However, it was Oregon State’s timely hitting that proved to be the difference for the Beavers.
In the first game, with the score knotted at zero apiece in the fourth inning, Harris walked the leadoff batter and gave up one of her two hits, giving Oregon State a 1-0 advantage.
That one-run lead was all the Beavers needed as Oregon State’s pitcher Brianne McGowan continually stifled the Oregon offense. She finished with a career-high 11 srikeouts. Oregon’s Suzie Barnes and Lovena Chaput led the way for the Ducks, both going 1 for 2 at the plate.
The second game saw another solid pitching performance for Oregon with little offensive support. The lone run for Oregon came when Chaput’s sacrifice allowed Kristi Jorgensen to score, tying the game at one after five innings.
But the Beavers came through again in the clutch.
With the game still tied in the final inning, Oregon State’s McGowan led off with a double. Two batters later and with McGowan’s pinch runner, Ta’Tyana McElroy, on third, the Beavers’ Lisa Allen hit the ball to Oregon’s Beth Boskovich. Boskovich threw home to try to catch McElroy, who beat the throw and gave the Beavers a 2-1 lead and eventual victory.
“She (Boskovich) made the right play,” Arendsen said. “But it should have never come down to that play, because we had our chances all game.”
Despite pitching just three innings in the second game, McGowan picked up her 29th win of the season, an Oregon State record. Chaput led the way for Oregon, finishing 2 for 5 combined in both games. As a team, Oregon finished with nine hits and left nine batters on base.
“All we need is for some people to step up and get hits at the right time,” Chaput said.
Sunday’s games marked the third time Oregon and Oregon State had met this season, all of which were decided by one run. Prior to this weekend, Oregon State defeated Oregon 2-1 in Corvallis.
“It’s disappointing because we haven’t seen our hitting, pitching and defense come together at the right time yet.” Arendsen said. “It’s a brutal way to go down, but it shows that we are not that far off because Oregon State is a top-10 ballclub.”
The Ducks meet another top-10 team, third-ranked Arizona, at home on Friday. The Ducks host Arizona State on Saturday.
Low scoring games lead to high disappointment
Daily Emerald
April 24, 2005
Oregon’s Suzie Barnes swings and misses during the Ducks’ 1-0 loss in game one of a doubleheader against Oregon State on Sunday at Howe Field. The Ducks also fell to the Beavers in the second game, 2-1.
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