ELLENSBURG, Wash. – Eastern Oregon split Saturday’s non-conference doubleheader against the Division II Central Washington Wildcats, dropping the first game 1-9 but battling back to secure an 11-9 victory after 12 innings in game two.
GAME ONE
In the opening game, Central started strong, scoring in the first inning when Manzardo crossed the plate on a wild pitch, giving them an early 1-0 lead. Eastern Oregon responded in the third inning with a Parker Cumberland bunt that allowed Rogelio Gonzales to score, tying the game at 1-1.
The scoring remained stagnant until the sixth inning when Hinkle’s RBI brought in Sharp, pushing CWU to a 3-1 lead. They added more runs over the next two innings, with Max Bledy’s homer to left field extending their lead to 9-1.
Despite efforts from the Mounties, they couldn’t narrow the deficit. Brock Cordes delivered seven strikeouts to help limit the Wildcats’ lead. Chase Nett and Joey Freitas each contributed hits in an attempt to close Eastern’s gap.
Jonathan Garza II earned the victory after allowing just one earned run across seven innings pitched.
Top Performers
Oregon Tech:
- Austin Ohland: 5 AB, 1 H, 3 RBI, 1 HR
- Max Bledy: 3 AB, 1 H, 2 RBI, 1 HR
- Jonathan Garza II: 10 SO, 0 ER
Eastern Oregon:
- Parker Cumberland: 4 AB, 1 H, 1 RBI
- Chase Nett: 3 AB, 1 H, 1 2B
- Brock Cordes: 7 SO, 2 ER
GAME TWO
In the second game, the Mounties took control early with another Cumberland bunt in the first inning, bringing Nett across the plate. However, the Wildcats fought back, with a Ben Lied RBI putting them up 2-1 going into the third.
Eastern Oregon maintained their offensive momentum, with Masen Van Arsdall’s SAC bunt allowing Alex Olague to score, followed by Afton Milton’s single up the middle, bringing Matthew Carl home and extending their lead to 4-2. Both teams settled into their rhythms, preventing either from building a significant lead.
Central Washington staged a comeback in the later innings, capitalizing on a wild pitch in the eighth inning to tie the game 6-6. The game extended to 12 innings, with the Mountaineers regaining the lead in the 12th inning. Cumberland’s RBI single to left field brought in Rogelio Gonzales, followed by a Benat Van Hoose single RBI, extending their lead to 11-6.
CWU continued their offensive display in the 12th inning, but despite their efforts, EOU ultimately prevailed, winning 11-9.
Jeter Larson ended the game with six strikeouts, contributing to the Mounties’ victory.
Top Performers
Oregon Tech:
- Ryan McCarthy: 7 AB, 2 H, 2 RBI
- Kevin Varner Jr.: 5 AB, 3 H, 2 R, 1 RBI, 1 2B
- Ben Lied: 7 AB, 3 H, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 2B
Eastern Oregon:
- Parker Cumberland: 6 AB, 3 H, 2 R, 2 RBI
- Benat Van Hoose: 2 AB, 1 R, 1 H, 2 RBI
- Afton Milton: 5 AB, 3 H, 3 RBI
Eastern Oregon now looks ahead to another conference matchup against Whitman College on Tuesday, April 23rd, at 6:00 p.m. in Walla Walla, Washington.
