Meehra Nelson is a student-athlete at Oregon State University and pitches for the school’s softball team. In three seasons, she has helped the team to three NCAA Tournament appearances, including a regional finals appearance. Nelson has pitched in victories against every opponent in the Pac-12, recording a save or win against every softball team in the conference of champions.
Junior (2018) – Helped the Beavers reach their first NCAA Tournament regional final since 2012. Went 16-11 with a 2.51 ERA and 127 strikeouts in 153.2 innings against the No. 3 toughest schedule in the NCAA. Led the Beavers in wins, ERA, shutouts (5) and batting average against (.215). Had wins over six teams either ranked or receiving votes in the national polls.
Pac-12 rankings: 5th in strikeouts looking (50); T-9th in wins, 10th in BAA, 11th in innings, T-11th in appearances (31), T-12th in strikeouts, and 14th in ERA.
Began the season 5-0 in non-conference play before suffering a loss in a 1-0 complete game defeat at then-No. 7 LSU. Tied a career-high with 12 strikeouts in a two-hit shutout 1-0 win over Central Arkansas. Struck out 10 in an 8-inning complete game 1-0 win over Colorado State. Also had two-hit shutouts against Seattle University and Middle Tennessee. Grabbed non-conference victories over NCAA Tournament teams Missouri, BYU and Oklahoma State (the latter two in relief). Had non-conference wins over Indiana, Texas Tech and Portland State.
Claimed Pac-12 wins over Cal, Stanford and Utah as a starter. Got a win against then-No. 2 Oregon in relief — the Beavers’ first victory over their rivals since 2012. Went 2-0 with a 2.10 ERA in two games to end the regular season at Utah, ensuring the Beavers would be eligible for the postseason. In a series against No. 5 Washington, pitched 13 innings over two games, allowing just six hits and three runs (1.62 ERA) while striking out 12.
Went 1-1 with a 2.95 ERA and 14 strikeouts in 19 innings at the Tuscaloosa Regional of the NCAA Tournament. Struck out 10 and allowed just three hits in a no-decision against Wisconsin. Pitched a two-hit shutout in an elimination game against Middle Tennessee. Allowed four runs in five innings in a season-ending loss to 12-seed Alabama.
Sophomore (2017) – Saw limited action due to back injury that required surgery. Went 5-3 with a 4.04 ERA in 60.2 innings. Made 23 appearances and struck out 53 batters. Pitched a 1-hit shutout against Portland State.
Freshman (2016) – A top 25 finalist for the Schutt Sports/NFCA National Freshman of the Year and third-team All Pac-12 honoree. Went 16-10 with 7 saves, a 2.93 ERA and 211 strikeouts in 174.1 innings. Helped lead the Beavers to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2013. Set a single-season school record with seven saves. Her 211 strikeouts ranked seventh in single-season school history and left her six shy of tying the freshman single-season record.
Led the Oregon State pitching staff in wins (16), appearances (42), complete games (15), innings (174.1) and batting average allowed (.199), as well as strikeouts and saves. Led the Pac-12 in saves; ranked 2nd in strikeouts and opponent batting average; tied for 3rd in complete games; tied for 4th in innings pitched and appearances; tied for 8th in wins; and was 9th in ERA. Ranked fifth in the country in saves; 24th in strikeouts per seven innings (8.5); 29th in strikeouts; and 32nd in hits allowed per seven innings (5.1).
Pitched a two-hit shutout of then-No. 18 Kentucky in her collegiate debut. In her final start of the regular season, tossed a three-hit shutout against Arizona State. Began the season 8-0 before taking a loss. Posted victories over eventual national champion Oklahoma, as well as WCWS participant UCLA. Closed her season with a career-high 12 strikeouts during seven innings of relief against Jacksonville State in the NCAA Tournament.
The 5-foot-8 Southern California native received many awards during her freshman season including:
– Top 25 finalist for Schutt Sports/NFCA National Freshman of the Year
– All Pac-12 Third Team
– All Pac-12 Freshman Team
– Pac-12 Pitcher of the Week (March 1)
– Two-time Pac-12 Freshman of the Week (Feb. 17 and May 16)
– Oregon State Athletics Female Newcomer of the Year
Prior to Oregon State, Nelson attended Westlake High School in Westlake Village, Calif. and competed for Bownet 18 Gold in travel ball.
PRE-COLLEGE OVERVIEW: Led Westlake to its first playoff win in over 10 years and first CIF semifinals appearance in 20 years. Posted 38 wins, a 0.99 ERA and 655 strikeouts during her two-year high school career. Named first-team All Ventura County and Marmonte League Pitcher of the Year in both seasons. A first-team All-State selection as a senior. Threw three perfect games, three no-hitters, 10 1-hitters and 22 shutouts in 53 career starts.
A big-game pitcher, went 6-2 with a 0.45 ERA, only 18 hits allowed and 108 strikeouts in eight career CIF-SS Division 2 playoff games. Also went 5-2 with a 1.27 ERA and 73 strikeouts in 44 innings on the biggest stage at PGF 18 Nationals.
HIGH SCHOOL
2015 (Senior) – Led Westlake to its second CIF semifinals appearance in school history with dominant postseason run. For the season, went 21-9 with a 1.13 ERA and 337 strikeouts in 185.2 innings. Her 337 strikeouts ranked second in CIF-SS Division 2, fifth in California, and 17th nationally according to MaxPreps.com. Allowed just 76 hits and 35 walks. Recorded 14 shutouts in 28 starts, including three perfect games, two no-hitters, and six 1-hit shutouts. Registered a career-high and school-record 23 strikeouts in 1-0 12-inning win over La Habra in playoffs. Also pitched a no-hitter and 1-hitter in playoffs. Went 3-1 with 0.56 ERA and just four runs allowed in 32 postseason innings. Allowed only 8 hits while striking out 54 in four playoff games.
Named Co-Player of the Game at San Fernando Valley All-Star Game after striking out a game-record 11 batters over four scoreless innings, picking up the win.
Honors for 2015 season included:
– Cal-Hi Sports First Team All-State
– MaxPreps Large Schools All-State Team
– LA Daily News First Team All-Area
– Ventura County Star First Team All-County
– All-CIF Division 2
– Marmonte League Pitcher of the Year
– Westlake High School Female Athlete of the Year
– Suzanne Manlet Invitational All-Tournament team
– Torrance National Tournament All-Tournament team
– Three-time Ventura County Star Athlete of the Week (March 23, April 27 and June 1)
– Three-time Cal-Hi Sports State Stat Star (March 27, May 3 and May 22)
2014 (Junior) – Helped turn around a Warriors program that went 4-19 in 2013 and led them to a 19-8 record and CIF-Southern Section Division 2 quarterfinals playoff appearance, where the team lost to No. 1 Mission Viejo 1-0 in 10 innings.
Went 17-8 with a 0.88 ERA, 318 strikeouts and 25 complete games during the 2014 spring season. Nelson’s 318 strikeouts led all CIF-SS Division 2 pitchers, ranked fourth in California and 19th nationally on MaxPreps.com. Recorded a no-hitter, five 1-hitters, eight complete-game shutouts and 21 double-digit strikeout games — including a pair of 18-strikeout games — in 25 starts. Issued just 32 walks and allowed 93 hits in 175 innings while facing stout competition in the Marmonte League and CIF-SS Division 2 playoffs. Turned it up in the playoffs, pitching a pair of 1-hitters and shutouts, while going 3-1 with a 0.23 ERA. In 30 postseason innings, allowed just 10 hits, 2 runs (1 earned) and two walks while striking out 54.
Honors for 2014 season included:
– Ventura County Star first team All-County
– Marmonte League Co-Pitcher of the Year
– LA Daily News second team All-Area
– Suzanne Manlet Invitational All-Tournament team
– Ventura County Star Athlete of the Week (April 7)
– Cal-Hi Sports State Stat Star of the Week (April 3)
Sophomore (2013) – Ruled ineligible for spring softball season by CIF after transferring to Westlake High.
Freshman (2012) – Shoulder injury prevented her from pitching most of the season. Went 1-0 with 0.00 ERA and 16 strikeouts in 7 innings for Moorpark JV team.
CLUB BALL
2014 (Summer) – Helped lead Bownet 18 Gold to 13th-place finish at PGF 18 Premier Nationals and 9th-place finishes at the Triple Crown Colorado Fireworks and Demarini Invitational.
At PGF Nationals, went 3-1 with a 1.80 ERA and 31 strikeouts in 23.1 innings during bracket play. Placed in the top 12 among all 18U Premier pitchers in wins, strikeouts and ERA (min 15 inn). Including pool play, posted a 1.34 ERA and 49 strikeouts while only allowing 7 runs in 31.1 innings. Even more dominant in helping Bownet qualify for PGF Nationals — went 5-0 with a 0.00 ERA — including a no-hitter and 3 complete game shutouts (all in the same day) — and did not allow a run in 23.2 innings at the Arizona qualifier tournament.
2013 (Fall) – Posted a 1.69 ERA and 0.95 WHIP with 178 strikeouts in 112 innings during fall season with Bownet 18 Gold.
2013 (Summer) – Helped Bownet to a PGF 18 Premier appearance and 5th-place finishes at the Triple Crown Colorado Fireworks and Surf City Summer Showcase. Posted team-best 2.22 ERA and registered 121 strikeouts in 72.2 innings despite never having pitched an inning of high school varsity ball prior to start of summer season. Including bracket and pool play, was 2-1 with a 1.11 ERA and 24 strikeouts in 12.2 innings at PGF 18U Premier Nationals.
For her career at the 18U Premier Nationals, has gone 5-2 with a 1.27 ERA and 73 strikeouts in 44 innings, including both pool and bracket play.
Honors include:
– 2013 invitee and participant in the prestigious National Elite Futures Camp hosted by OnDeck Softball
VIDEOS
2014 CIF SS – Div 2 playoffs vs. Fillmore High wild-card game. Westlake wins 10-0. Nelson: 5 inn, 1 hit, 0 runs, 0 walks, 14 strikeouts.
2014 CIF SS – Div 2 playoffs vs. No. 1 Mission Viejo quarterfinals. MV wins 1-0 in 10 inn. Nelson: 10 inn, 5 hits, 1 run, 1 walk, 11 strikeouts.
Skills video recorded in Jan. 2013:
Skills video recorded as a 13-year-old with VC Venom in Sept. 2011: