Huskies seek revenge against OSU

After downing UCLA Wednesday, the No. 11 Washington softball team (30-12, 7-5 Pac-10) will host a trio of games this weekend against No. 13 Oregon State (34-16, 6-6 Pac-10) and No. 16 Oregon (39-11, 4-8 Pac-10).

Match-up to watch:

[HTML_REMOVED]Danielle Lawrie vs. the OSU offense[HTML_REMOVED]

Lawrie surrendered a three-run lead in the bottom of the seventh in the first meeting between the two this season and is likely to get the ball against the Beavers again this afternoon. What ensues could help predict the postseason picture for both teams.

The Huskies found success against the Beavers and Ducks on their road trip two weekends ago, knocking off Oregon and settling for a split against OSU.

"We know that if we win these games, we'll win the season series," coach Heather Tarr said.

Oregon edged Oregon State 6-5 Wednesday, dropping the Beavers a game behind the UW in Pac-10 play. The Huskies now have third place to themselves and a golden opportunity to pad their lead over OSU in the standings this weekend.

"Oregon State is a very emotional team," Tarr said. "I think our team understands what we have to do against them, by putting the nail in the coffin."

The coffin was almost closed on the Beavers in the last meeting between the two schools, but a four-run seventh inning allowed OSU to steal a 5-4 victory after trailing the entire game. The win prevented the Huskies from taking the season series, but they will have a chance to avenge that loss today.

"Coming off a loss like that, we're definitely out to get them," junior shortstop Ashley Charters said. "Hopefully, we win this one."

OSU has a trio of players batting over .300 [HTML_REMOVED] Cambria Miranda, Natalie Johnson and Brianne McGowan. McGowan is also the ace of the Beavers' pitching staff and has a 20-9 record this season. Joining her in the circle this season for Oregon State is Ta'Tyana McElroy, who is 12-7 with a 1.42 ERA.

For the Oregon Ducks, it's been a tale of two seasons. Oregon began the season strong, but has run into trouble in Pac-10 play, losing eight of its last 11 and just recently snapping a six-game losing streak. The Ducks are led by the bat of Jen Salling, who is batting .504 this season with 11 home runs and 61 RBI.

Melissa Rice has started seven straight games for the Ducks in the circle and is 21-9 on the season. Washington topped Oregon 7-2 in the first meeting between the two schools two weekends ago in Eugene.

The Huskies have been on fire at the plate recently. Charters has homered in each of the Huskies' last three games, and Dena Tyson has hit seven home runs in the last seven UW contests. Her 0-for-3 day against UCLA Wednesday snapped her streak of six consecutive games with a home run. The senior has hit eight home runs in Pac-10 play, more than anyone else in the conference.

Danielle Lawrie, who took the loss for the UW in that heartbreaking defeat to Oregon State, worked 4.2 innings against UCLA Wednesday to earn her 19th victory of the season. She is likely to get the start against OSU again Friday.

Combined with the talent level of both squads, and the implications on the standings, the revenge factor will make for an interesting softball climate.

"It should be a great ball game," Tarr said.

Reach reporter Christian Caple at sports@thedaily.washington.edu.