LA GRANDE, Ore. – In Wednesday's midweek nonconference matchup, the No. 1 Eastern Oregon softball team swept Pacific University, run-ruling the Boxers 10-0 in five innings in game one before securing a 5-3 win in game two.
Game 1
Despite the lopsided final score, Eastern Oregon started slowly in the opener. The Mountaineers managed just a 1-0 lead in the first inning, courtesy of an RBI single from
Allison Baumgart, before both teams went down in order in the second.
Eastern broke the game open in the third inning, capitalizing on two Boxer errors, a double from
Emily Barry, and a sacrifice fly from
Hope Burke to extend the lead to 5-0. Pacific threatened in the top of the fourth with three consecutive singles to open the inning, but Eastern escaped the jam without allowing a run.
The Mountaineers added to their lead in the bottom half of the inning, scoring twice on an RBI single from
Isabella Lauerman and a sacrifice fly from
Lexi Grumbois. Eastern capped off the victory in the fifth when
Isabella King launched a three-run home run to enforce the run rule and secure the 10-0 win.
Camille Schmitz (8-0) was dominant in the circle, tossing a complete-game shutout. She allowed no runs while inducing five groundouts and nine flyouts, striking out one. Alissa Hermansen (1-4) took the loss for Pacific.
Game 2
The second game proved to be more competitive. Pacific struck first in the opening inning, using a single and a walk to set up an RBI groundout from Chloe Knepp for a 1-0 lead.
Eastern responded immediately in the bottom half, as
Raygun Klippert drew a leadoff walk, stole second, and scored on an RBI single from
Hope Burke to tie the game at 1-1.
The Mountaineers took control in the third inning.
Brylin Field delivered a two-out, two-run home run to give Eastern the lead, and
Emily Barry followed later in the inning with a two-run shot of her own to extend the advantage to 5-1.
Pacific answered with two runs after stringing together a pair of singles and a walk, cutting the deficit to 5-2. Both teams were largely held in check over the next three innings.
In the top of the seventh, the Boxers mounted one final push, using a walk, a single, and a Mountaineer throwing error to trim the lead to 5-3. After another walk put the tying run on base,
Maliyah Mann recorded a game-ending strikeout to seal the sweep.
Mann (11-1) earned the complete-game victory, allowing two earned runs while striking out eight. Peyton Davis (1-2) was charged with the loss for Pacific.
Up Next
Eastern Oregon continues nonconference play this weekend with a road doubleheader against Western Oregon University in Monmouth, Oregon. First pitch on Friday, March 27 is scheduled for 12 p.m.
