COLLEGE PLACE, Wash. -- The Eastern Oregon University softball team continues its great start to the 2010 season after sweeping Walla Walla University Sunday, 5-3 and 4-3.
The Mountaineers (6-0) were led by Jen McDonnell in both victories. The freshman ended her day with nine strikeouts and only four walks after facing 43 batters. McDonnell is now 5-0 on the mound for EOU.
Eastern jumped out to a 5-0 lead after the first two innings in Game 1.
Iris Woodhead hit a home run and a double during the Mountaineer scoring. The senior was 2 for 2 at the plate and was walked twice.
The Wolves scored a run in the bottom half of the second inning and added two runs in the fourth inning. Veronica Rojas and Kandi Heid each had an RBI for WWU. Ashley Martinez hit a double and gave up five runs in seven innings on the mound.
Walla Walla had four errors and three hits, and left nine runners on base. Eastern Oregon left three runners on base in the first game. EOU had six hits and committed a pair of errors.
In Game 2, McDonnell came in after the Mountaineers gave up three runs in the first inning. With the bases loaded and one out, she struck out the next two batters and closed the inning. McDonnell gave up no hits and no runs in 6.2 innings.
Eastern Oregon scored two runs in the top of the third inning, held the Wolves scoreless over the next five innings, and dramatically scored two more runs in the top of the seventh inning. The Mountaineers had 10 hits and no errors in the second game. EOU left seven runners on base in Game 2. WWU left five runners on base and committed five errors.
The NAIA's leader in RBI, Krista Koutz added three RBI to her total. The senior now has 14 on the season.
“Today we did it the hard way, but we did it,” Eastern head coach Missy Wheeler said. “We got some hits, but just didn't put them together. We had great defense. The pitchers allowed only ground balls for the most part. We just need to put people around the bases better.”
The Mountaineers open the Cascade Collegiate Conference schedule Friday at Southern Oregon. The Raiders (4-10) were swept by William Jessup in their home opener Saturday.
