LA GRANDE, Ore. – Two victories over the Warner Pacific Knights pushed the Mountaineers' win streak to double digits on Sunday, earning their eleventh straight win and advancing to 14-3 and 11-1 in Cascade Collegiate Conference play. The Mounties completed the weekend sweep over the Knights, winning 11-3 and 9-5 at Community Field.
GAME ONE
Eastern Oregon University erupted for nine runs in the second inning en route to an 11-3 victory over Warner Pacific in Game One of their doubleheader.
The Mountaineers jumped ahead early as Madelyn Durham delivered an RBI single in the first inning, scoring Raygun Klippert after she reached on a single and stole second.
Eastern Oregon's offense exploded in the second inning, highlighted by a two-run single from Durham and a grand slam by Kelly Monaghan, her first home run of the season. Madison Olson also added a solo home run in the frame. By the end of the inning, EOU led 10-0.
Warner Pacific battled back in the fifth inning, scoring three runs off Eastern Oregon. Mailli Bode drove in a run with a bunt single before Noe Barawis added an RBI single and later scored on a catcher's error.
Eastern Oregon added an insurance run in the bottom of the fifth when Hannah Tyree doubled to right field, driving in Durham before being thrown out at third. The game ended after five innings due to the run rule.
Durham led the way for EOU, going 3-for-4 with three RBIs and two runs scored. Monaghan contributed four RBIs on her grand slam, while Emily Barry added a 2-for-3 performance with two RBIs.
Kylie Parsons went the distance, allowing five hits and three runs (two earned) over five innings, striking out five. Kili Makanani (1-8) took the loss for Warner Pacific, surrendering 10 runs on seven hits in 1.2 innings.
GAME TWO
Eastern Oregon University overcame an early deficit and used a four-run sixth inning to secure a 9-5 victory over Warner Pacific in Game Two of Sunday's doubleheader at Pioneer Park.
The Knights (5-20, 3-10 CCC) struck early, scoring twice in the first inning. Makanani homered to left field after Barawis scored on a throwing error. Warner Pacific extended the lead to 3-0 in the second inning after Barawis singled to left center, driving in Nikki O'Reilly.
Eastern Oregon (14-3, 12-1 CCC) responded in the bottom of the second with five runs. Klippert grounded out to second to bring home a run, and Alexis Blankenship drew a bases-loaded walk to score another. Hannah Tyree and Barry followed with RBI walks before Olson lifted a sacrifice fly to cap off the inning, giving the Mountaineers a 5-3 lead.
Warner Pacific tied the game at 5-5 in the top of the third when Hailey Ferguson delivered a two-run homer to left center. However, Eastern Oregon's bullpen shut down the Knights the rest of the way.
The Mountaineers broke the deadlock in the sixth inning when Barry doubled to left field, plating two runs. Olson followed with an RBI single up the middle, and Barry scored on a throwing error to make it 9-5.
Taylor Brewer (3-0) earned the win in relief, tossing five shutout innings while allowing no hits and striking out four. Briana Munoz (3-10) took the loss for Warner Pacific after surrendering seven runs on six hits over five innings.
Barry led the offense with a 1-for-2 performance, driving in three runs and scoring twice. Hope Burke was a perfect 2-for-2 from the plate, while Olson added two RBIs and Blankenship contributed an RBI and scored twice.
The Mounties will next travel to Great Falls on Friday, March 28th to face the University of Providence at 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.
