ASHLAND, Ore. – After a dominant opening day, No. 3 Eastern Oregon dropped Games 3 (5-4) and Game 4 (6-1) to Southern Oregon on Saturday, resulting in a 2-2 weekend split. Despite the setbacks, the Mountaineers claimed the series victory, 2-1, as the fourth game did not count toward conference standings.
Game 3
Following a scoreless first inning, Eastern Oregon threatened early by loading the bases but was unable to capitalize. Southern Oregon took advantage in the home half, using timely hits and a Mountaineer error to push two runs across. The Raiders added another in the third on a solo home run from Brooke Nordahl to extend their lead to 3-0.
Eastern responded in the fourth with its biggest inning of the day. A
Hope Burke walk, an
Elizabeth Heinz single, and an
Alexis Blankenship hit-by-pitch loaded the bases with no outs.
Raygun Klippert delivered in the clutch, ripping a triple to right-center to clear the bases and tie the game. Moments later, she scored on a wild pitch to give the Mounties a 4-3 advantage.
Hannah Ebner was sharp in relief, limiting Southern to just one hit over 3.2 scoreless innings to keep Eastern in front. The Mountaineers' offense, however, was held to three hits over the remainder of regulation as the Raiders' pitching settled in.
After a rain delay in the bottom of the seventh, Southern wasted no time mounting a rally, stringing together three hits and a walk to tie the game with no outs. Following a pitching change, the Raiders loaded the bases, and a single through the right side plated the winning run for a 5-4 walk-off victory.
Ayla Davies went the distance for Southern, allowing seven hits and striking out four to earn the win. Ebner (0-1) was charged with the loss.
Game 4
Southern once again struck first, capitalizing on two Mountaineer errors in the second inning to take an early 1-0 lead. Eastern answered in the third, stringing together three hits to plate a run and even the score at 1-1, but three runners were left stranded, halting further momentum.
The Raiders broke the game open in the bottom half of the inning, scoring three runs with the help of a walk and three hits. Southern added two more in the fourth to build a comfortable cushion. Eastern's offense struggled to regain rhythm, with just four Mountaineers reaching base over the final four innings.
Camille Schmitz provided stability in relief, tossing the final three innings and allowing just one hit to keep Southern from adding to its total.
Lexi Ramirez (5-2) went the distance for the Raiders, surrendering just one earned run while striking out five in the win.
Natalie Dimitrov (2-1) took the loss for Eastern.
Up Next
The Mountaineers return home Friday, March 6, to host Bushnell University, with first pitch scheduled for 1 p.m.
