Freshman pitcher Andriana Collins tossed her third shutout of the season on Friday to help lead UCSB to a 3-0 win over Oregon State (5-5) on the first day of the DeMarini Invitational, which is being hosted by Cal State Fullerton.
Collins (7-3) gave up just four hits in seven innings of work while walking two and striking out one. This marks the second game this year in which she has contained a Pac-10 team to just four hits; the first time was against then-ranked No. 15 Cal on Feb. 20.
UCSB (10-5) and Oregon State battled through five scoreless innings before the Gauchos scored the eventual game-winning run at the top of the sixth.
Brooke Putich led off that inning with a single to left field, but was out on the next play when Kathryn Pilpil reached on a fielder’s choice to third base. Pilpil quickly made up any ground that was lost by stealing second. One out later, she was able to advance on a passed ball.
Keilani Jennings was then walked and a pitch hit Lauren Boser to load the bases with two outs. A very timely single to center field from Allison Taylor sent Pilpil home and put the Gauchos on the scoreboard. The Beavers were able to avoid any further damage as they threw Jennings out at home during the same play to hold the score at 1-0.
Oregon State attempted to rally back at the bottom of the same inning. Ashley Sanchez led off with a single to left field and was bunted over to second. Paige Hall then walked before both runners were moved to scoring position on a ground out. Collins slate was kept clean when the next batter grounded out.
With one out at the top of the seventh, Kelly McDonald reached base on balls and moved to second when McKenzie Kane grounded out to the shortstop on the next play. Putich notched her second hit of the day – a single – to move McDonald to third and advanced to second herself on the throw. Pilpil was up next and she connected with a double down the left field line, sending both runners home. After another walk, Oregon State pulled starting pitcher Marina Demore, but the damage had been done.
Collins retired the final three Beaver batters in order to preserve the 3-0 win.
At the plate, Putich led the way going 2-for-4 with a run. Pilpil was 1-for-4 with a run, a double and two RBI. Taylor and Beristianos accounted for the Gauchos’ other two hits.
