Ellensburg, Wash. – Eastern Oregon fell short in a 9-7 loss to Central Washington in a non-conference baseball game at CWU Baseball Field on Tuesday afternoon.
The Mountaineers struck first in the second inning, tying the game 1-1 after Benat Van Hoose's RBI single brought home Mason Van Arsdall. However, Central Washington answered in the bottom half of the inning, taking the lead with an RBI single by Wyatt Sharp and a double steal that allowed Jack Leid to score.
The Wildcats then broke the game open with a four-run fourth inning. Central Washington's lead-off batter, Love, reached base with a single and eventually came home on a two-run homer by Brandon Varner Jr. A pair of wild pitches and an error helped the Wildcats extend their lead as Leid's double, and Sharp's single added insurance runs.
Eastern Oregon fought back in the fifth, scoring two runs after a hit-by-pitch rally. Alex Olague, Afton Milton, and Van Hoose all reached base on hit-by-pitches, and Van Hoose single cleared the bases, making it 6-3.
The Mountaineers kept the pressure on, adding another two runs in the seventh. Mason Van Arsdall and Matthew Carlson both came around to score on a two-RBI double by Carlson, cutting Central Washington's lead to 7-6.
However, Central Washington sealed the win with back-to-back homers by Ponce and Leid in the eighth, extending their lead to 9-7. EOU could not respond in the ninth, despite a late rally that saw Brandon Taddy and Mason Van Ardsall reach base.
Benat Van Hoose was the top performer for EOU, finishing 3-for-4 with two RBIs. Matthew Carlson also contributed with two RBIs and a double.
Ryan Etzkorn (2.0 IP, 3 H, 1 ER) started on the mound for the Mountaineers and was followed by Cameron Hendrickson, who allowed five earned runs in two innings. Trevor Baker (0-1) lost after allowing two runs in one inning of work.
Eastern Oregon returns to action this weekend with a series against No.24 Lewis-Clark State Warriors on Saturday, March 22nd. The first pitch is set for 12 p.m. at Optimist Field.
