MOBILE, Ala. – Eastern Oregon University dropped the first game of the NAIA National Tournament Opening Round championship series on Wednesday, falling 7-1 to top-seeded Mobile after defeating the Rams the previous day.
Eastern struck first in the opening inning when Hope Burke delivered an RBI single to bring home Raygun Klippert for the game's first run. Natalie Dimitrov returned to the circle for the Mountaineers and turned in another strong outing, pitching 5.0 solid innings while backed by steady defense. Dimitrov allowed just two singles and three walks through five innings, escaping multiple jams with the help of clean defensive play, including another clutch line-drive double play turned by Emily Barry.
While Eastern limited Mobile's opportunities early, the Rams matched the effort defensively. After scoring in the first inning, the Mountaineers managed only two baserunners over the next four frames as both teams settled into a pitcher's duel.
Mobile broke through in the sixth inning, capitalizing on a pitching change and three Eastern errors. The Rams opened the inning with a single and a double to tie the game at 1-1 before taking the lead on a single paired with a throwing error. Dimitrov returned to the circle, but Mobile continued to string together hits and take advantage of multiple miscues to extend its lead to 6-1.
The Rams added one more run in the seventh on a two-out error in right field. Eastern attempted a late rally in its final at-bat, beginning with a walk by Allison Baumgart and a single from Kelly Monaghan. A ground ball to the left side allowed Mobile to record the force out at third before Raygun Klippert followed with a single to load the bases. However, the Rams recorded the final out to secure the 7-1 victory.
With both teams now carrying one loss in the tournament, Eastern will face Mobile in the winner-take-all championship game Friday at 10:00 a.m. CT. The winner will advance to the NAIA Championship Final Site in Columbus, Georgia.