Gilbert, Ariz. — Eastern Oregon University baseball team split its Saturday doubleheader at Park-University Gilbert, taking the opener 20–11 before dropping game two, 9–3, at Tempe Diablo Stadium. The Mounties (1–2) showcased a powerful offensive performance in Game 1 but were held in check in the nightcap by a balanced Park-University Gilbert attack.
Game 1 — Eastern Oregon 20, Park-University Gilbert 11
Eastern erupted for 20 runs and 16 hits in the opener to outslug the Buccaneers. After falling behind 4–0 early, the Mounties answered with a three-run third inning capped by run-producing hits from Jace Nagler (RBI triple),
Andrew Demianew (RBI), and
Mario Landeros (RBI). Park-University Gilbert continued to apply pressure with four runs in the third and three more in the fifth, but Eastern's offense remained relentless. EOU scored in six different innings, highlighted by back-to-back run-scoring at-bats and big rallies in the sixth and eighth innings.
Nagler finished with five RBIs and opened the game with a triple before later adding a two-run home run in the ninth. Greyson McDaniel (four hits, two RBIs) and
Alex Olague (three RBIs) were also key contributors as Eastern built a commanding win.
Jayden Butler earned the victory after striking out five batters and holding the Bucs to one hit during his time on the mound.
The 20-run outburst marked the Mounties' first time scoring 20 runs in a game since the program's reinstatement in 2021 and just the sixth time in program history that Eastern has scored more than 15 runs in a single contest.
Game 2 — Park-University Gilbert 9, Eastern Oregon 3
In the nightcap, Park-University Gilbert jumped out to a 3–0 lead in the first two innings and never relinquished it. The Buccaneers plated seven of their nine runs early, including a string of offense in the fourth inning. Eastern's offense was held to three runs on three hits, with Jace Nagler and Lucas Smith accounting for all of EOU's offense in the fifth inning; Nagler's RBI single and Mario Landeros' RBI double trimmed the deficit to 7–3. However, Park-University Gilbert added insurance runs in the fifth and sixth innings to secure the 9–3 victory. The Mountie pitching staff struggled to contain the Buccaneers, as Park limited Eastern's lineup throughout the contest.
Eastern closes out the series Sunday at 10 a.m. MST at Tempe Diablo Stadium.
