Beavers Stumble in Fresno Opener

FRESNO, Calif.  – The Oregon State softball team started a five-game stretch at the Fresno State Invitational with a Friday twinbill against Saint Mary’s (Calif.) and the host Bulldogs.

Game 1: Saint Mary’s (Calif.) 1, Oregon State 0

A RBI triple to the warning track by the visitors was the difference in Oregon State’s 1-0 setback to Saint Mary’s in their first game of the day. After both sides struggled to get their offense clicking, the Gaels strung together two hits in three at-bats to plate their run with two away in the top half of the sixth. 

Lici Campbell, Kiki Escobar, Eliana Gottlieb and Madi Simon each chalked up a hit in the game for the Beavers (3-4).

Ellie Garcia pitched a complete game – her second of the season – but conceded the first loss of the season, falling to 1-1 in 2024. The Chino, California, native struck out four, allowed four hits, the lone run and walked just one.

Game 2: Fresno State 8, Oregon State 0

Oregon State’s bats couldn’t respond to Fresno State’s three-run first inning as the Beavers dropped their second game of the day. The Bulldogs padded their advantage with runs in the third and sixth innings at 8-0.

Escobar collected a pair of hits for the Beaver offense while Abby Doerr, Gottlieb and Savanah Whatley also each had one.

Dropping to 1-2 on the season, Logan Hulon tossed just one frame where she gave up the three runs on four hits and yielded a walk. Pitching in relief, Sarah Haendiges threw the game’s remaining 4.1 innings. The Upland, California, nativeallowed four runs on nine hits, a pair of walks and hit one with a pitch.

Oregon State will have another two-game day tomorrow, taking on Utah Valley at 9 a.m. and Fresno State at 2 p.m. The tilt against the homestanding Bulldogs can be seen on Mountain West Network.