HAPPY VALLEY, Ore. – The Eastern Oregon University softball team got a taste of the NCAA Division II on Saturday afternoon, but the Mountaineers came up short in their twinbill against Simon Fraser (B.C.) and old-time rival Concordia (Ore.).

GAME ONE
Simon Fraser 10, EOU 2 (Six Innings)
Despite taking an early lead, EOU (0-6) was held to only two hits in a six-inning defeat to Simon Fraser in game one.

Senior shortstop Haley Hess and senior third baseman Marisa Gonzalez both went 1-for-3, while junior first baseman Cheyenne Barker notched one RBI.

In the circle, junior hurler Haylie VanLaethem tossed five innings and collected four strikeouts in the losing effort.

After Hess belted a one-out single in the top of the first, Barker ultimately launched an RBI groundout to put the Mountaineers on the board, 1-0.

VanLaethem compelled the Clan to only one hit in the opening two frames before Simon Fraser erupted for a trio of hits and four runs in the bottom of the third to take the lead.

The Mountaineers recorded one hit for the remainder of the affair, and the Clan plated six runs in the final three stanzas to take a 10-2 victory.

GAME TWO
Concordia 5, EOU 2
In game two, EOU met an old Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) rival in Concordia. Although the Mountaineers racked up three runs in the top of the seventh, the team's comeback effort ultimately came up short, 5-3.

EOU saw a much better effort at the plate, as the squad registered 10 hits on the afternoon. Junior designated player Lauren Burchak hit 3-for-4 with one RBI, while Hess and junior left fielder Taylor Turner mustered two hits apiece.

Sophomore righty Hailey Kline fell to 0-2 on the year after posting three strikeouts and forcing 11 groundouts in the circle.

The two squads were neck-and-neck until Concordia tallied a quartet of runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to take a commanding 5-0 advantage.

The Mountaineers left seven runners stranded in the first six innings before the team managed to plate three runs in the seventh to make it a ball game. Sophomore second baseman Maryssa Santi launched a one-out double to get things going, and EOU ultimately followed with four singles and three runs to cut the deficit to two (5-3). However, with runners on the corners and two outs, Cavalier pitcher Jessica Lambourn forced one of six flyouts to keep EOU at bay.

UP NEXT
EOU hits the diamond tomorrow in Happy Valley, Ore., against both Simon Fraser (9:30 a.m.) and Saint Martin's (2:30 p.m.).