University of Washington
38-14, 0
Oregon State
26-24, 0
Comeback Attempt Falls Short On Senior Day
May 04, 2015 | Softball
SEATTLE -- In front of another large, sold out crowd at Husky Softball Stadium, the Washington softball team scored eight runs in the final five innings, but could not complete the comeback on Senior Day against Oregon State on Saturday afternoon. The Beavers recorded the 14-8 victory and evened the series 1-1.
The Huskies drop to 38-14 overall and 9-10 in Pac-12 play following the game, while Oregon State improves to 26-24 and 6-14 in conference play.
Senior Kylee Lahners had a memorable Senior Day at the plate, recording three hits and was just a triple shy of hitting for the cycle.
The OSU offense faced four Husky pitchers, but continued to produce throughout the game to earn the win. They started on a high note, plating three runs on three hits in the top of the first inning for an early 3-0 advantage.
After the three-run inning, sophomore Casey Stangel replaced Husky starting pitcher freshman Kirstyn Thomas to start the second frame. The Washington defense escaped a scoreless second inning, but the Beavers returned with hot bats, adding to their lead in the third, fourth, sixth and seventh innings.
The Beavers managed to load the bases for the second time in the game in the third before delivering an RBI single to go on top, 4-0. With one out, junior Hailey Bator relieved Stangel in the circle. OSU added to their lead, hitting a two-RBI single and scoring off a sac-fly to take a 7-0 lead.
The Huskies attempted a comeback with a big fifth inning, recording five runs off four hits including a grand slam by junior Kimberlee Souza. Lahners started the rally, hitting a leadoff double and after sophomore Ali Aguilar was hit-by-pitch, junior Courtney Gano singled to load the bases. Lahners then scored the first Husky run of the game off a fielder's choice. The next at-bat Souza delivered her second grand slam of the season to trim the deficit to just two runs, 7-5.
Oregon State responded in the first at-bat of the fourth inning, hitting a solo home run to take an 8-5 lead. Despite a pair of leadoff singles by Lahners and freshman Taylor Van Zee which forced an Oregon State pitching change, the Huskies were unable to convert any more runs in the bottom half of the inning.
After a scoreless fifth, the Beavers took advantage of a pair of walks and a single to load the bases, sending senior Kasey Stanchek to the circle for the Huskies. Oregon State then hit the game's second grand slam to take a 12-5 lead.
Washington scrapped back in the bottom of the sixth, hitting a pair of home runs to climb within four runs. Lahners hit her 14th of the season and OSU was forced to make another pitching change after freshman Taylor Van Zee followed with a single. Aguilar then ripped her 15th home run of the season and the Huskies trailed 12-8 heading to the seventh.
However, OSU would respond again, drawing a walk before delivering a two-run home run in the top of the final inning.
Facing a 14-8 deficit in the bottom of the seventh, the Huskies attempted a two-out rally. Freshman pinch hitter Julia DePonte drew a four-pitch walk and senior pinch hitter Kelly Meggs recorded her third career hit, a single through the left side, but the pair were left stranded and the Huskies fell in game two, 14-8.
The series finale is scheduled for tomorrow (May 4) at Husky Softball Stadium. First pitch is set for 7 p.m.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Cotton, Taylor (2-8)
L: Thomas, Kirstyn (2-1)
Batting:
HR: Hampton, Natalie 2 ; Lopez, Lovie 1
RBI: Manewa, Mikela 2 ; Everett, Alysha 1 ; Hampton, Natalie 3 ; Noland, Sammi 1 ; Chirichigno, CJ 2 ; Lopez, Lovie 5
SH: Everett, Alysha 1
SF: Everett, Alysha 1 ; Noland, Sammi 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Manewa, Mikela 1 ; Everett, Alysha 1 ; Gilmore, Dani 2 ; Hampton, Natalie 2 ; Akamine, Hannah 2 ; Chirichigno, CJ 2 ; Arriola, McKenna 2 ; Lopez, Lovie 2
HBP: Gilmore, Dani 1
Batting:
2B: Lahners, Kylee 1
HR: Lahners, Kylee 1 ; Aguilar, Ali 1 ; Souza, Kimberlee 1
RBI: Lahners, Kylee 1 ; Aguilar, Ali 2 ; Stangel, Casey 1 ; Souza, Kimberlee 4
SH: Melhart, Trysten 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Lahners, Kylee 2 ; Van Zee, Taylor 1 ; Aguilar, Ali 2 ; Gano, Courtney 1 ; Burdick, Kelly 1 ; Souza, Kimberlee 1
HBP: Aguilar, Ali 1
