CORVALLIS — As successful as last season was for the Oregon State softball team, the ending left a bitter taste in the mouths of the players and coaches.

The Beavers, who finished 30-20-1, returned to the postseason for the first time since 2013. But they went 0-2 at the Auburn Regional, falling to Jacksonville State, 5-4, in 14 innings, to be eliminated.

That finish served as a bit of motivation over the summer and into fall camp for the Beavers, who return a plethora of talent for the 2017 campaign. OSU opens the season Thursday with games against UAB and Sacramento State in Honolulu.

“The thing that coach (Laura) Berg says is never be satisfied,” senior infielder Natalie Hampton said. “We got to the tournament and that’s great, but obviously we didn’t play, we didn’t show how we wanted to, and I think that left a little sour taste in a lot of our mouths, and I think that’s good.

“It’s extra motivation and I think now we know (not only) what it takes to get to the tournament, but now I think we know what it takes to perform well at the tournament. It was a good experience and with a lot of the returners coming back, I think it’s going to get us now to where we want to go.”

Berg, who is entering her fifth season at the helm, says that experience should pay dividends throughout the season.

“They have a little bit of a taste of postseason and they want more,” said Berg, who has taken the Beavers to the postseason twice. “I think they’re going to use that experience, that postseason atmosphere experience and bring that every time that they come to field.”

Hampton, a fifth-year senior who can play first base, led the Beavers with nine home runs and 50 RBIs last season while batting .349 with 10 doubles.

Also back is junior shortstop McKenna Arriola, who led the team with a .368 average and added nine doubles and 23 RBIs while sharing the team lead with 11 stolen bases with sophomore Jessica Garcia.

The Beavers have four pitchers who could see action this season.

Back is sophomore Meehra Nelson, who made 42 appearances and went 16-10 with a 2.95 ERA in just over 174 innings. Nelson struck out 211 and allowed 67 walks and 127 hits.

Taylor Cotton, a senior, is back after making eight appearances, while freshman Nierissa Eason and sophomore transfer Shawna Burke will be in the mix.

The Beavers were picked to finish near the bottom of the Pac-12, which will also serve as motivation.

“They have really come together as a team and I think they’re going to be fun to watch,” Berg said. “We were picked No. 7 (out of nine teams) in the Pac-12 and I think that puts a little chip on their shoulder and lets them know, hey, you’ve got to earn respect. You’ve got to go out and earn it and fight for it.”

Ducks open 
in Arizona

Oregon, ranked No. 9 in the nation in the USA Today preseason coaches poll, opens its 2017 season Thursday with games against Virginia and Creighton in the Kajikawa Classic in Tempe, Arizona.

The Ducks, under coach Mike White, are the reigning Pac-12 champions and feature a touted freshman class that will be challenged to fill the void left by a 2016 senior class that won four straight conference titles. Those graduates included pitcher Cheridan Hawkins, catcher Janelle Lindvall, infielder Stevie Jo Knapp, and outfielders Koral Costa and Alyssa Gillespie.

Among the key returning players for the Ducks is pitcher Megan Kleist, who last year as a freshman posted a record of 17-6 with a 2.36 ERA. Others back are infielders Nikki Udria (.405 batting average, 17 home runs, 55 RBIs last season) and Jenna Lilley (.326), and utility players Lauren Lindvall (.326) and Gwen Svekis (.336).

After Women’s College World Series appearances in the previous two seasons, Oregon went 48-10 last year and advanced to the NCAA Super Regional round, where the Ducks fell to Pac-12 rival UCLA. The Bruins were picked to win the conference this season in the preseason poll of coaches. Arizona was second in the poll, and Oregon tied with Washington for third.

— Bulletin staff report