Mounties Sweep Series over NCU Behind Offensive Outburst 3/11/2018 8:06:48 PM PENDLETON, Ore. – The Eastern Oregon softball team continued its offensive surge, run-ruling Northwest Christian in both games of a doubleheader, 12-0 and 16-7, in Cascade Collegiate Conference play to complete a four-game sweep on Sunday afternoon. GAME 1 | Eastern Oregon 12, Northwest Christian 0 The Mountaineers (8-8, 4-2 CCC) scored double-digit runs for the third-straight game to earn the 3-0 sweep in CCC-counting games. The Blue and Gold jumped on the board quickly with two runs in the bottom of the first inning on a two-RBI single by junior first baseman Shevan Defreitas. EOU added on three more runs in the second on doubles by junior outfielder Rayne Spencer and senior third baseman Chelsea Spanier and one run in the third thanks to an NCU error to go up 6-0. The Mounties broke out with six more runs in the fourth inning with some help once again from the Beacon defense. The big hit of the inning came from sophomore designated player Tayler Finch, who was celebrating her 21st birthday, crushed a grand slam to put EOU ahead 11-0. Junior catcher Brandi Bowling added an RBI double for good measure, giving the Mounties their final 12-0 advantage. Senior pitcher Hailey Kline (5-2) closed out the Beacons in the final inning to solidify the CCC sweep for the Mounties. Kline struck out five batters over five shutout innings on her way to her fifth win of the season. For the Beacons (4-15, 2-4 CCC), Tra Kucera went 3-for-3, recording three of the team’s five hits in the game. The Beacons had a rough game defensively, making six errors and allowing seven unearned runs. GAME 2 | Eastern Oregon 16, Northwest Christian 7 The Blue and Gold battled in a much closer game in the finale of the series, looking for the full sweep of four games. Trailing 7-5 heading into the sixth inning, the Mounties exploded for an incredible 11 runs, once again run-ruling the Beacons with a 16-7 victory in six innings. Spanier finished the game with a walk-off three-run home run, putting the Mounties over the eight-run threshold. It capped off an impressive inning that saw 13 batters step to the plate before finally ending the game on Spanier’s long shot. In the inning, EOU had just four hits, using a patient approach with five walks while getting help from NCU with four errors to put together the wild inning. EOU led 5-2 through four innings thanks to RBIs by junior second baseman Madison Barr, Spanier, Finch and senior second baseman/outfielder Maryssa Santi. The Beacons responded in the top of the fifth with a five-run inning to grab a 7-5 lead, looking in control before the Mountie comeback. The senior combo of Spanier and Santi led the offense for the Blue and Gold in the final game of the series. Spanier finished 2-for-2 with two runs scored and five RBI while Santi was a perfect 4-for-4 with four runs scored and two RBI. The Mounties tallied 13 hits and put the ball in play consistently to force five NCU errors. Sophomore pitcher Jessica Lambert made the start and received a no-decision, pitching a strong first four innings before a tough fifth inning. Fellow sophomore pitcher Ashton Kazmierski entered in relief and earned the win (3-4), allowing one run over 1.2 innings. For the Beacons, Alyssa Gayle made the start, allowing five runs over four innings. She was also the team’s top hitter in the game, finishing 2-for-3 with five RBI that included a grand slam. With the series sweep, the Mounties evened their season record. They next head back on the road, visiting Providence for four games on Friday and Saturday in Great Falls, Montana. Friday’s doubleheader is scheduled for 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Mountain time, followed by 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Mountain time starts on Saturday. For more information on Eastern Oregon men’s softball, follow @EOUAthletics or visit eousports.com. FOLLOW EOU ATHLETICS Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube Contact: Iain Dexter; 541-962-3946; idexter@eou.edu