GREAT FALLS, Mont. – Eastern Oregon used a four-run fifth inning and a dominant pitching performance from Kylie Parsons to secure a 6-1 victory over Providence in game one of their series on Friday afternoon in Great Falls.
Parsons went the distance in the circle, allowing just four hits and one unearned run while striking out five over seven innings. The Mountaineers collected seven hits and capitalized on their scoring opportunities to claim the win.
After two scoreless innings, Eastern Oregon broke through in the third when Alexis Blankenship singled to right field to drive in Katelynn Evans. Madelyn Durham followed with a sacrifice fly to center, plating Raygun Klippert to make it 2-0.
Providence responded in the fourth when Sydnee Weber's RBI single brought home Tehneson Ehnes, cutting the deficit to 2-1.
Eastern Oregon pulled away in the fifth, starting with an RBI triple from Evans to score Kelly Monaghan. Klippert then added a sacrifice fly to bring in Evans before Hannah Tyree capped off the rally with a two-run triple to right, scoring Durham and Blankenship for a commanding 6-1 lead.
Providence's Ashley Mitchell (0-1) went the distance, surrendering six earned runs on seven hits while walking four. Ehnes led the Argos with three hits, but the home team was unable to generate consistent offense against Parsons.
In game two, Eastern Oregon rolled to a 17-0 victory behind an explosive offensive performance and a combined shutout effort in the circle.
The Mountaineers wasted no time, scoring five runs in the first inning before adding six in both the third and fifth to seal the run-rule win. They tallied 12 hits while taking advantage of Providence's struggles on defense.
Blankenship and Olivia Brown each drove in a run as part of a balanced offensive attack. Klippert finished 2-for-2 with three runs scored, while Madelyn Durham added two hits and an RBI. Emily Barry contributed two RBIs despite not recording a hit, drawing multiple walks. Brylin Field and Haley Tyree each finished the game with two RBIs as well.
Parsons and Barry combined for the shutout, allowing just four hits while striking out three. Providence was unable to generate any offense, stranding nine runners on base.
The series will move to Helena, Mont., for day two tomorrow, with games set to be played at East Helena High School at 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. MST.
