Mountaineers Softball Drops Season Opening Doubleheader to Linfield
EOU Sports Information
McMINNVILLE, Ore. – Eastern Oregon University Softball got its 2021 campaign started Saturday afternoon with a non-conference doubleheader at Linfield University. The Mountaineers dropped both contests by finals of 3-0 and 11-0. With the losses, EOU starts the season 0-2.
Game 1 – Linfield 3, Eastern Oregon 0
Eastern Oregon managed just two hits in the game, while the Wildcats (2-0) had four. Both teams had one error in the contest. Runs in the second, fourth, and fifth propelled Linfield to the win.
A two-out double in the bottom of the second allowed a Wildcat runner to get on before an RBI single plated home the runner and give Linfield a 1-0 edge. Linfield managed to tack on its second run in the fourth with back-to-walks to start the bottom half of the inning. A wild pitch advanced both runners and a sacrifice fly to left field brought in one run to extend Linfield’s lead to 2-0.
The final run of the first game was unearned as a single got a Wildcat runner on base before an EOU fielding error allowed the runner to score and make it 3-0. EOU two hits for the game came in the sixth and seventh, respectively. Meghan Krantz hit a single to center in the sixth.
The hit in the seventh came from Jordan Henley as she got on. Kayla Berg also got on base to leadoff the seventh on a Wildcat error. EOU had the chance to potentially tie but Linfield held the Mounties off to secure the game one victory.
Jordan Henley went 1-3 in the opener, while Meghan Krantz was 1-1 as the designated player. Rhyanne Oates drew one walk in her lone at bat. In the circle, Ashton Kazmierski (0-1) pitched three complete in the start and struck out one.
Shakayla Snyder was 1-3 and had two RBI to lead Linfield. Katie Phillips went 1-3 with a run scored. Katrina Johns finished 1-2 and scored one run. Maddy Podnar pitched a complete game to start 1-0. She three strikeouts in the win.
Game 2 – Linfield 8, Eastern Oregon 0 (5 Innings)
The Wildcats worked quickly in game two scoring five runs in the second and third which helped end the game in five innings. Linfield tacked on the first of its 11 runs in the opening frame. A pair of singles got two runners on and an RBI groundout to third base plated home the run.
Three drawn walks in the first four at bats helped the Wildcats in the bottom of the second score five runs to open their lead to 6-0. A single to center field scored two runs and three total hits coupled with some walks ultimately allowed the Wildcats to lead by six after two innings of work.
Linfield tacked on five more runs in the bottom of the third to push the score to its final of 11-0. The Wildcats tallied four hits in the frame to plate home the five runs. The score remained at 11-0 as EOU was unable to plate home a run in the shortened game. The Mountaineers managed hits in the third, fourth, and fifth inning.
Tina Furtado and Mckenna Stallings each went 1-1 at the plate to lead EOU's offense. Rhyanne Oates also went 1-2 on the day. Mckenna Stallings also appeared in the circle pitching two innings and fanned one batter.
For the Wildcats, Kelsey Wilkinson was 2-2 with two runs scored. Katie Phillips went 2-3 with two runs scored and two RBI. Emma Podliska had four RBI and scored two runs while batting 2-3. Tayah Kelley got the win in the start in the circle to improve to 1-0. She fanned five batters in three innings pitched.
The Mounties next scheduled series is set for March 5-6 at it will be a home contest. EOU will begin conference play against Warner Pacific (Ore.). Day one first pitch is set for 1 p.m. PT.