TEMPE, Ariz. – Eastern Oregon baseball rallied late and secured a 16-11, extra-inning victory over Park University-Gilbert on Saturday at Tempe Diablo Stadium. The Mountaineers exploded for five runs in the 10th inning to claim their second win of the season in a back-and-forth battle against the Buccaneers.
EOU got on the board early with a run in the first, but Park-Gilbert responded with a four-run second to take an early lead. The Mounties chipped away, scoring two runs in the third and one in the fourth to tie the game at 4-4. Both teams remained scoreless through the middle innings before EOU posted a six-run eighth to take a commanding 10-4 advantage.
The Buccaneers answered with four runs in the bottom of the eighth and added another in the ninth to force extra innings at 10-10. In the decisive 10th, Eastern Oregon erupted for five runs, highlighted by key hits from Mario Landeros and Matthew Carlson, who combined for seven RBIs on the day. Park-Gilbert managed to score once in the bottom half, but EOU's bullpen shut the door, securing the win.
Rogelio Gonzales sparked the Mountaineers' offense, going 2-for-6 with three runs scored and two RBIs, while Parker Cumberland reached base four times, scoring four runs and driving in one. Landeros delivered a clutch performance at the plate, collecting three hits and four RBIs.
On the mound, Tucker Zander earned the win, allowing three earned runs over three innings while striking out one. Logan Valtierra provided a strong relief effort, tossing three scoreless innings with three strikeouts. Brody Noonan and Trevor Baker closed out the game to seal the victory.
Eastern Oregon: 16 H, 16 R, 2 E, 15 RBI, 8 different Mounties recorded RBIs
Key Players:
- Mario Landeros – 3-6, 4 RBI, 1 2B, 1 R
- Rogelio Gonzales - 2-6, 2 RBI, 3 R, 1 SB
- Logan Valtierra – 3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 E, 3 SO
EOU will return to the PNW and head to Washington to continue preseason play as they face DIII opponent Whitworth University on February 15 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. in Spokane.
