EUGENE, Ore. – Oregon State battled back from a five-run deficit, and DeAnn Young produced a two-out, two-run single to lead the 17th-ranked Beavers in a 9-7 victory over No. 10 Oregon on Friday at Howe Field.
The Ducks are now 36-5 on the year and fall to 2-2 in the Pacific-10, while the Beavers improve to 29-11 and 3-1 in conference.
Oregon is on a two-game losing streak for the first time this season, and in addition, the Beavers have now won the last eight meetings between the two teams.
Oregon headed into the seventh with a 7-6 advantage, but saw that lead disappear with two defensive miscues. Sophomore pitcher Melissa Rice was unable to field the first out of the inning and in the Beavers' second at-bat, over threw second base for what should have been the second out. Rice retired the next two batters before surrendering the two-run single to Young. Stefanie Ewing added the insurance run scoring on a wild pitch.
Oregon State's Brianne McGowan pitched all seven innings allowing seven runs on eights hits. But it was her offensive effort that did the job, going 3-for-4 from the plate with two home runs. She improves to 18-6 on the year.
Rice (19-4) took the loss after pitching 3.1 innings in relief of starter Alicia Cook. Rice surrendered six runs (two earned) on three hits and two walks. Cook, after being under the weather for nearly two weeks, returned to the circle for the first time since pitching a perfect game against Idaho State on March 24, and went 3.2 innings allowing three earned runs on six hits.
Suzie Barnes led Oregon at the plate with a 3-for-3 effort, including two runs scored, a walk and two stolen bases. Sari-Jane Jenkins was 2-for-4 with her team-leading 14th double of the season, while freshman shortstop Jenn Salling also added multiple hits, including a two-run homer in the bottom of the fifth that gave the Ducks their temporary 7-6 lead.
Oregon built a 5-0 lead in the bottom of the third using creative base running and timely hitting. Barnes singled and stole her 27th base of the season, and scored on Jenkins' stand-up double to the right field wall.
Salling then dropped a bunt right in front of home plate and advanced to second, catching the Oregon State defense off guard.
Topps came to the plate with two runners in scoring position and produced a RBI groundout, while freshman Neena Bryant was responsible for the third run with an RBI double to right center to score Salling.
Oregon State quickly responded in the top of the fourth, scoring three runs. On back-to-back pitches, the Beavers' Cambria Miranda and McGowan hit consecutive home runs off Alicia Cook. The Elmira, Ore., native retired the next two batters, before surrendering a single and two-out, RBI triple for Oregon State's third run of then inning.
Rice relieved Cook in the circle and recorded the final out of the inning, but McGowan returned to form in the fourth, retiring the side in order.
After a four-pitch walk put Mia Longfellow at third in the top of the fifth, Joanna Gail's miscue at third allowed Longfellow to score and put Miranda on first. McGowan then put the Beavers ahead, 6-5, with a two-run homer over the center field wall.
The Civil War series continues on Saturday with the start time set for 1 p.m. at Howe Field.
