PENDLETON, Ore. – The Eastern Oregon softball team split the final doubleheader against the University of Providence, falling 10-1 in game one before winning the final game 5-3 to claim three out of four in the series on Saturday at the Blue Mountain Community College softball field.
GAME 1 | Providence 10, Eastern Oregon 1 (F/5)
After the Mountaineers (3-11, 2-1 CCC) got off to big leads in both games on Friday, it was now the Argos' (1-3, 1-2 CCC) turn to start hot. Providence utilized two EOU errors and a pair of walks to help get the first inning started. Then, three doubles in the inning by Taylor Matthews, Hanna Tarum and Sam Hernandez helped break the inning open and give UP a 5-0 lead.
The Argos added two more runs in the top of the third. Sophomore Haley Ebner singled home senior Jordan Henley in the bottom of the third to cut the deficit to 7-1, but the Mounties never got back into the ball game as Providence added one in the fourth and two in the fifth to run-rule EOU 10-1 after five innings to win the final Cascade Conference counting game.
The Mounties finished with five hits in the game with Ebner tallying two. The Argos finished with 10 hits, including five doubles. Brie Clifford pitched the complete game for Providence, allowing one run in five innings. Natalee Hall was EOU's most effective pitcher, allowing one run in two innings in relief.
GAME 2 | Eastern Oregon 5, Providence 3
The Mountaineers collected themselves for the final game of the series, a non-conference counter as the ended the weekend on a high note with a 5-3 victory.
Junior pitcher Abby Giles was the story for the Blue and Gold, pitching into the seventh inning. Giles allowed three runs, two earned, in 6.1 innings pitched, tallying three strikeouts for her first career victory as a Mountaineer.
EOU scored all five of its runs in the first three innings. Three of the runs came in the first, with a pair scoring on bases load walks.
Henley drove home a run in the second with an RBI single to bring around senior Katie Silvestri. Sophomore Shelby Starr added to the lead with another RBI single to score Amanda Smith.
The Argos attempted a late comeback, scoring three runs between the sixth and seventh innings. However, sophomore Brianna Zweygardt came in relief in the seventh and shut the door with two outs for her first save.
The Mountaineers will next be on the road on Feb. 28 and 29, visiting defending national champions and No. 1-ranked Southern Oregon in Ashland.
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