LA GRANDE, Ore. – For the first time since 2018, Eastern Oregon Softball has eclipsed 20 wins following a day two sweep of University of Providence Saturday afternoon at Peggy Anderson field. The Mountaineers went 2-0 in the finale to secure the 4-0 series sweep over the Argos as they improved to 21-8 overall and 10-2 in conference play.

Game 1 – Eastern Oregon 2, Providence 1 (9 Innings)
How it Happened
• After a day one doubleheader that lasted a combined two hours and 25 minutes, day two's first game made up for the lost time as it lasted a total of two hours and six minutes.
• Both teams hit the ball well as EOU had the edge at 9-8. The Argos, however, played a clean game with no errors while EOU had one to keep things close in the nine-inning fight.
• Both teams scored a run in the third inning to keep the game deadlocked at a 1-1 affair. The Argos (0-18, 0-12 CCC) ultimately left nine runners stranded, while EOU stranded eight. 
• A leadoff single got a runner on for the Argos and the runner advanced on a fielder's choice. The run scored thanks to a single and a double to give Providence a 1-0 lead early on.
• Eastern responded in the bottom of the third as they loaded the bases on a hit, walk, and hit by pitch. Madison Stateler then delivered an RBI single to third, scoring Haley Ebner.
• The Argos escaped the jam, forcing a double play and a groundout to limit the Mounties to one run. Defense held strong the rest of the way until the ninth inning when EOU secured the walk-off win.
• The Mounties started the ninth working a 1-2-3 frame to get on offense. Providence got a leadoff out before three straight singles ended the game.
• Getting the first base hit was Ebner to start the one-out rally. Shelby Starr immediately hit a single to right to keep the momentum going. Caitlin Crist then hit a walk-off base hit through the left side, scoring Ebner to give EOU the hard fought 2-1 win.

Mountaineers Stat Leaders
• Haley Ebner batted 2-4 and scored a pair of runs.
• Caitlin Crist hit 2-4 as well and had the gamewinning RBI.
• Madison Stateler went 1-4 at the plate with one RBI.
• Abby Giles (5-1) earned the win in a relief effort. She pitched six frames and had two strikeouts.

For the Argos
• Taylor Mathews paced the bats, going 3-5 at the plate.
• Karlie David hit 1-4 and had one RBI.
• Carter Thornton (0-9) pitched the whole game and had a game-high five strikeouts.

Game 2 – Eastern Oregon 7, Providence 3
How it Happened
• The series finale had better offensive output from both teams as they combined for 10 runs scored. Providence had the edge in hits, 11-8, while both teams had two errors on the day.
• Propelling the Mounties to the win was a pair of three-run innings that came in their first and last frames on offense. Providence managed its three runs across just two innings.
• EOU struck first, scoring three runs in the first. Audrey Kime hit a sacrifice fly to score the first runner in Caitlin Crist. Grace Gaither made it 2-0 with an RBI single, scoring Madison Stateler.
• A Karsyn Zaragoza RBI double to deep left center added the third run and Kayla Berg scored. The Mounties led 3-0 to start, but Providence answered with a run scored in the second.
• A pair of hits and an EOU error allowed a runner to come to make it 3-1. An RBI single to left from the Argos tacked on the lone run of the frame to keep things interesting.
• After a scoreless third inning, the Mounties added a run in the fourth to go back ahead by three. Stateler singled to the pitcher, scoring Haley Ebner who led off with a walk.
• The Argos answered in the fifth, scoring a pair of runs to get within one at 4-3. A two RBI single through the left side plated the two runs, but Providence never scored again the rest of the way.
• The Mounties closed the game in the sixth in what was their final offensive outing. They scored three runs on four hits as insurance to claim the win.
• All four hits came in the first four at bats. Ebner and Rhyanne Oates each hit singles to get on. A throwing error by Providence allowed Oates and pinch runner Natalee Hall to advance.
• On the third at bat, Crist immediately delivered a two RBI double to right center, scoring Hall and Oates. Stateler then scored Crist with an RBI bunt single to bring the score to its final of 7-3.

Mountaineers Stat Leaders
• Caitlin Crist had two RBI and hit 1-3 to go along with two runs scored.
• Madison Stateler went 2-3 at the plate with an RBI and scored a run.
• Rhyanne Oates was a perfect 2-2 and scored one run.
• Haley Ebner hit 1-2, drew a walk, and scored a run.
• Mckenna Stallings (5-3) earned the win in the start, pitching five innings. She fanned a game best four batters.
• Kaylin Winans earned the save, her second of the year, and had two strikeouts in two innings of relief work.

For the Argos
• Gracie Fleming batted 3-4 in the loss and scored one run.
• Karlie David was 1-4 at the plate and had two RBI. 
• Taylor Mathews tallied three hits in four at bats.
• Jayden Williams (0-5) suffered the loss and pitched 3.1 innings.

By the Numbers
4 - EOU is 4-0 at home to start the 2022 season.
9 - The Mounties have won each of the last nine match-ups against the Argos.
10 - Eastern racked up 10 strikeouts in the day two sweep of Providence.
5 - With the series sweep on Saturday, EOU has swept five series this season.
5 - Caitlin Crist has now tallied at least one hit in the last five games.
4 - Madison Stateler, Grace Gaither, and Haley Ebner have each knocked at least one hit in the last four games.
8 - Dating back to last season, EOU has won each of its last eight games at home.

Up Next
• Eastern will have a quick turnaround as they host Interstate-84 rival and fifth-ranked College of Idaho on Tuesday, March 29, for a doubleheader. The single day showdown is scheduled for a 2 p.m. first pitch at Peggy Anderson Field.

FOLLOW EOU ATHLETICS