Softball 3/7/2020 6:23:00 PM Iain Dexter, EOU Sports Information Director Six-Run 6th Lifts Mountaineers to Series Sweep of UBC LA GRANDE, Ore. – Playing just one final game due to weather, the Eastern Oregon softball team used a six-run sixth inning to defeat University of British Columbia 9-8, earning the sweep in Cascade Collegiate Conference play on Saturday afternoon at Peggy Anderson Field. HOW IT HAPPENED The Mountaineers (6-15, 5-4 CCC) trailed most of the game and were behind 8-3 entering the bottom of the sixth with just six outs to work with. EOU would only need three of those outs, however, as they put together a six-run rally to shock the Thunderbirds (3-10, 2-4 CCC) in the series finale. The inning started with a lead-off walk by freshman Taylor Dow. Senior Katie Silvestri followed with a single up the middle to put runners on the corners. Junior Glori Cheevers reached on a fielder's choice with no out recorded by UBC to load the bases. Senior Payton Pocklington got the scoring started with a deep sacrifice fly to center field. An Alaina Carson walk reloaded the bases with one out. Freshman Brittney Bertrand drew another walk, scoring Silvestri to cut the deficit to 8-5. Then the Mounties got to the heart of their order and the big hits came with them. Senior Jordan Henley brought home two runs with a single through the hole on the left side. Sophomore Haley Ebner followed with another RBI single to tie the score at 8-8, and junior Amanda Smith finished the rally with another RBI single, scoring pinch runner Tina Furtado, giving the Mountaineers their first lead of the game. The Thunderbirds jumped out to an impressive 5-0 lead in the first inning as the first three batters loaded the bases early. With two outs, UBC got three-straight RBI singles to take a commanding lead. Both teams scored a run apiece in the second, third and fourth innings. Cassa Courtney kept up her strong weekend with a sacrifice fly for the Thunderbirds in the second. Freshman Mandy Fetters drew a bases-loaded walk for the Mountaineers to get their first run on the board. A pair of UBC errors allowed Henley to score in the third and an RBI single by Carson in the fourth scored Cheevers to make it 8-3. Henley and Ebner led the offense each with 2-for-4 days. Dow drew three walks while Cheevers added two, scoring both times. Nicole Salas led the Thunderbirds with a 4-for-4 day with two runs and two RBI. Hanna Hansen hit a solo home run for UBC. BY THE NUMBERS 1 – Natalee Hall earned her first career win, not allowing a run over the final 3.1 innings. 8 – The Mountaineers drew eight walks as a team. 3 – EOU won all three games over the weekend, moving to 5-4 in the CCC. NEXT UP The Mountaineers will next be on the road until April, starting with a four game series at Northwest Christian on March 13 and 14 in Eugene. For more information on Eastern Oregon softball, follow @EOUAthletics or visit eousports.com. FOLLOW EOU ATHLETICS Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube Contact: Iain Dexter; 541-962-3946; idexter@eou.edu