CALDWELL, Idaho – Eastern Oregon softball earned a thrilling 9-8 comeback victory in the first game of their doubleheader against Benedictine Mesa (AZ), but the Redhawks bounced back in game two with a 7-4 win to split the series at Symms Field on Saturday.
Game 1: Eastern Oregon 9, Benedictine Mesa 8
In a dramatic finish, the Mountaineers erased a 7-3 deficit to secure a walk-off 9-8 win. After a six-run fourth inning from Benedictine Mesa, Eastern Oregon rallied with key hits from Haley Tyree and Madison Olson, who each contributed with doubles. Haley Tyree finished the game 3-for-4 with two runs and an RBI, while Olson's solo home run in the seventh tied the game. Katelynn Evans added to the offensive surge with a 3-for-4 performance, including a two-RBI triple.
On the mound, Hannah Ebner (1-0) earned the win in relief, allowing just one run in 1.1 innings of work. Benedictine Mesa's Nancy Velez took the loss after giving up six runs over 5.1 innings. Despite a strong performance from Gabrielle Perez, who homered and went 3-for-4, the Redhawks could not hold off the Mounties' late-game surge.
Game 2: Benedictine Mesa 7, Eastern Oregon 4
Benedictine Mesa rebounded in the second game with a 7-4 victory, powered by a four-run fifth inning. Eastern Oregon had a 2-0 lead in the third inning after RBIs from Grace Spencer and Hannah Tyree, but the Redhawks tied the game in the fourth and took control in the fifth with RBIs from Chloe Wright, Shayera McDaniel, and Michelle Melendez.
The Mountaineers tried to answer back in the sixth, as Haley Tyree's two-RBI double brought them within 7-4, but they were unable to mount a full comeback. Haley Tyree went 2-for-4 with two RBIs, and Grace Spencer added an RBI. On the mound, Natalie Dimitrov (0-1) gave up four earned runs in 4.0 innings.
Eastern Oregon looks to continue their preseason against the Whitworth Pirates tomorrow, Sunday, February 23rd in Caldwell at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. MT.
