LA GRANDE, Ore. – The No. 2 Eastern Oregon softball team left no doubt in its home opener, sweeping the Beacons of Bushnell in a pair of five-inning games, 8–0 and 12–1. The doubleheader was highlighted by a no-hitter from
Maliyah Mann in Game 1.
Game 1
Eastern struck first in the second inning when
Hope Burke put the Mountaineers on the board with a solo home run. Later in the inning, with the bases loaded,
Isabella Lauerman grounded out to the right side, allowing
Kelly Monaghan to score. A Bushnell fielding error followed, bringing home two more runs and giving Eastern a 4–0 lead.
The Mountaineers added another run in the third.
Lexi Grumbois reached base on a Beacon error and moved into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt by
Allison Baumgart and a flyout from Burke. Monaghan then singled up the middle to drive in the fifth run of the game.
Eastern continued to build its lead in the fourth when
Raygun Klippert singled, stole two bases, and later scored on a groundout by Lauerman. The final runs came in the bottom of the fifth, when Monaghan launched a two-run homer to end the game early via the run rule.
Mann was dominant in the circle, allowing only three baserunners via walks while facing just 17 batters. In five innings of work, she threw a no-hitter with six strikeouts to earn the win. Violet Richardson (1–2) took the loss for Bushnell.
Game 2
The Mountaineers' offense stayed hot in the second game of the day.
Bushnell briefly grabbed a 1–0 lead in the second inning on a solo home run from Violet Richardson, but Eastern responded immediately. With two outs in the inning,
Emily Barry blasted a grand slam to give the Mountaineers a 4–1 advantage.
Eastern extended its lead in the third with an RBI double from Burke, a two-run single from Blankenship, and an RBI fielder's choice by Lauerman to push the score to 8–1.
The Mounties kept the pressure on in the fourth. Grumbois opened the inning with a home run to center field, followed by another homer down the left-field line from Baumgart.
Elizabeth Heinz later added an RBI single, and a sacrifice fly from Blankenship brought home the final run of the game.
Natalie Dimitrov (3–1) earned the win in the circle, delivering five strong innings. She allowed just one run on two hits and one walk while striking out five. Eastern's defense backed her up with five flyouts and five groundouts, committing no errors.
Bushnell used three pitchers in an attempt to slow the Mountaineers' offense, with Gabby Garza (0–2) taking the loss.
Up Next
The Mountaineers will continue the series tomorrow with another doubleheader against the Beacons. First pitch is scheduled for 11 a.m.
