LA GRANDE, Ore. – The Eastern Oregon University softball team outscored Walla Walla University in the final regular season doubleheader of the season Monday, 25-1. The Mountaineers end the year with the sweep over WWU, 14-0 and 11-1.
Eastern (12-22, 6-18 Cascade Collegiate Conference) finished the season with a two-game win streak and the most wins in conference play in four years. EOU hit five season-high marks in the pair of wins over Walla Walla.
Mariebeth Watanabe went 4-for-4 at the plate for Eastern Oregon. The junior scored five times and finished the day with three RBI. Emily Anderson had a total of five RBI in the pair of victories.
In the first game, Alex Hillmick improved to 7-9 with the win on the mound. The sophomore allowed two hits and no earned runs over five innings. She struck out seven Wolves and finished with no walks. Nicole Beeks was credited with the loss.
Suzie Espinoza went 2-for-3 for the Mountaineers, with three RBI, and Lacey Price was 2-for-3 with two RBI, scoring three times. Eastern had a season-high 14 hits and 14 runs in Game 1.
After a scoreless first inning, EOU scored three runs in the second and third innings, and then broke the game open with an eight run fourth inning. Hillmick allowed a hit in both the first and second inning, but then held WWU hitless over the final three innings.
Emily Anderson had two doubles in Game 2. Watanabe hit a triple, while Stephanie Maestretti and Kayla Anderson both had one double. Emily Anderson was 3-for-4 with two RBI, and Kayla Anderson and Watanabe were both 2-for-2.
The Mountaineers opened the game with eight runs in the first inning, adding two in the second, and one in the fourth. EOU had 11 hits in the game, while committing two errors.
Kayla Anderson picked up the victory, allowing four hits and one earned run over five innings. She struck out seven WWU batters, and walked one. Kristi Hernandez was credited with the setback.