LA GRANDE, Ore. – Eastern Oregon and British Columbia traded explosive offensive efforts in Friday's Cascade Collegiate Conference doubleheader at Optimist Field, with the Thunderbirds taking the opener 15-5 before the Mountaineers rallied for a dramatic 12-11 walk-off win in Game Two.
Game One: British Columbia 15, Eastern Oregon 5
British Columbia struck early and often in the opener, using a six-run first inning to seize control on the way to a 15-5 win. The Thunderbirds racked up 17 hits and hit three home runs, including two from Mitchell Middlemiss and another from Trent Lenihan.
Eastern Oregon collected 12 hits but couldn't overcome the early deficit. Mario Landeros went 2-for-4 with three RBIs, including a two-run double in the fifth, while Trevor Baker finished 3-for-4 with an RBI. Mason Van Arsdall also added two hits and one run batted in.
Game Two: Eastern Oregon 12, British Columbia 11
The second game of the day proved to be a back-and-forth thriller, as Eastern Oregon erased a four-run deficit and walked off British Columbia 12-11 on a solo home run in the bottom of the ninth by Alex Olague.
The Mountaineers trailed 11-7 entering the eighth before stringing together four runs to tie the game, highlighted by Carson Gerding's two-run single and a game-tying wild pitch. Trevor Baker finished 4-for-5 with three runs scored and an RBI, Mario Landeros added three hits and three runs, and Carson Gerding drove in two. Eastern Oregon totaled 16 hits in the win.
Jonny McGill led British Columbia with a 4-for-4 performance that included two home runs, three RBIs, and four runs scored. Lenihan added three RBIs on two hits, while Middlemiss contributed two hits and two RBIs.
Trevor Baker earned the win on the mound after moving from third base to pitch a scoreless ninth. The victory lifted Eastern Oregon to 12-31 overall and 8-23 in the CCC.
The two teams are set to continue their series Saturday at Optimist Field. EOU will celebrate its 16 seniors for Senior Day starting at 11:15 a.m. before first pitch at 12 p.m.
