CALDWELL, Idaho – The Eastern Oregon University Softball Team was swept by I-84 Rival, College of Idaho, 8-4 in game one, and 8-3 in game two, on Wednesday afternoon at Symms Field on the campus of College of Idaho.
 
Game One (College of Idaho 8 EOU 4)
The Mountaineers threatened in the top of the first inning as Haley Hess led off the game for EOU with a walk. She advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Samantha Scott. Cassie Wendt and Marisa Gonzalez drew back-to-back walks to load the bases. Eastern Oregon could not get a run across the plate as the next two hitters were retired.
 
The Yotes struck in the bottom of the first inning. After a leadoff double to left field by Jodie Hoagland, Destiny Campbell laid down a bunt for a hit advancing Hoagland to third base. Campbell stole second base to putting runners on second and third. After the Mountaineers recorded a strikeout, Katie Rowe singled to right field scoring Hoagland. Alexis Macias singled to center field scoring two and putting College of Idaho ahead 3-0 after the first inning.
 
Eastern Oregon put two runners on base in the top of the second inning with one out, but could not get a run across the board as the inning ended with back-to-back pop outs to the shortstop in foul territory.
 
After setting the Yotes down in order in the bottom of the second inning, EOU threatened again in the top of the third. With two outs, Shelby Baertsch drew a walk and Gracie Flyg singled to left fieldputting two runners on base, however, the next EOU hitter struck out ending the inning. EOU trailed, 3-0, going to the bottom of the third.
 
College of Idaho added one to their lead in the bottom of the third and going to the fourth inning lead, 4-0. EOU responded in the top of the fourth inning. With two outs and two runners on, Wendt hit a three-run home run cutting the Yotes lead down to one, 4-3.
 
College of Idaho responded in the bottom of the fourth inning with three runs of their own. Kristin Paulazzo collected an RBI double and Destiny Turner recorded a two run RBI single to extend the Yotes lead back to four, 7-3.
 
After a scoreless fifth inning, the Mountaineers continued to battle at the plate. Hess doubled down the left field line to start the inning for EOU. She advanced to second on a Scott ground out. Hess came around to score on a Wendt single, putting EOU down three, 7-4. With two outs, Wendt stole second base putting a runner in scoring position. Baertsch reached on an error and Wendt advanced to third putting runners on the corners. EOU could not get another run across and after five and a half innings of play, EOU trailed 7-4.
 
College of Idaho tacked on an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth inning taking an 8-4 lead heading to the top of the seventh. In the top of the seventh, CeCe Pratt singled to start the Mountaineer inning. Taylor Smith followed with a single putting two runners on. The next three EOU batters would be retired and the Mountaineers dropped game one, 8-4.
 
Went was 2-for-3 at the plate in game with a home run. She collected all four RBIs for EOU in the first game.
 
Game Two (College of Idaho 8 EOU 3)
After a scoreless inning and half to start game two, the Yotes broke the scoreless tie in the bottom of the second inning. College of Idaho scored six runs on seven hits and led 6-0 after the second. Six different Yotes collected RBIs in the inning.
 
The Mountaineers answered in the top of the third inning. With a runner on base, Baertsch came up to the plate. She hit a two-run home run, her seventh of the year, cutting the Yotes lead down to four, 6-2.
 
After a scoreless fourth inning, the Mountaineers continued trimming the Yotes lead. With one out, Hess singled to the shortstop and advanced to second on a throwing error. After the next EOU hitter was retired, Hess advanced to third on a wild pitch. Wendt drew a walk putting runners on the corners. Hess came around to score on a single by Gonzalez putting EOU down three, 6-3.
 
College of Idaho added a run in each of the fifth and sixth inning and going to the top of the seventh inning, EOU trailed 8-3. The Mountaineers were retired in order in the seventh inning and EOU dropped game two, 8-3.
 
Baertsch was 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBIs in game two to lead EOU.
 
The Mountaineers return to action on Friday, April 3 when they travel to Salem, Ore. to face Corban University in a CCC doubleheader starting at 2 p.m.