SAN ANTONIO – Eastern Oregon softball took down top-seeded and defending national champion Our Lady of the Lake with a 4-2 victory Tuesday morning, advancing to the NAIA Opening Round pool championship.
The Mountaineers (34-9) jumped out early and never trailed, scoring in each of the first two innings and adding two more in the fourth to build a 4-0 lead. Brylin Fields provided the big swing with a two-run homer in the fourth, while Hope Burke added a solo shot in the second. Hannah Tyree also drove in a run on a first-inning error that plated Raygun Klippert.
Kylie Parsons improved to 19-0 in the circle, tossing another complete game. The senior scattered five hits and allowed two runs, both in the seventh inning, while striking out two and walking one in a 82-pitch outing.
The Saints (47-6) pushed across a pair of late runs and had the tying run at the plate in the final frame, but a game-ending double play secured the upset for the Mounties.
Eastern Oregon finished with four hits, but made the most of its opportunities and played clean defense behind Parsons. Madelyn Durham, Klippert, Burke, and Fields accounted for all four hits.
With the win, the Mountaineers advance to Wednesday's pool championship game at 10:00 a.m. CT / 8:00 a.m. PT, where they will face the winner of the elimination matchup between Our Lady of the Lake and the Embry-Riddle (Ariz.) vs. Middle Georgia State winner.