Eastern Splits Day One With Raiders

ASHLAND, Ore. – No. 11 Eastern Oregon Softball was back in action Friday as they took on the No. 13 Raiders of Southern Oregon University. The Raiders took game one by a score of 3-2 but Eastern managed to bounce back in game two, taking the match up by a score of 5-2.

GAME ONE

The game began with Southern Oregon taking an early lead in the first inning. Piper Love’s single to left field drove in Faith Moultrie, giving Southern Oregon a 1-0 advantage. Eastern Oregon responded in the third inning. Hannah Tyree singled to right field, bringing in two runs, allowing Madelyn Durham and Addison Ribordy to score, giving the Mounties a 2-1 lead. 

Southern Oregon quickly leveled the score in the bottom of the third inning. Kailer Fulton’s bunt single allowed Moultrie to score from third base, tying the game at 2-2. EOU regained the lead in the fifth inning when Gates Leatherwood smashed a home run to right center, putting the Mountaineers ahead 3-2. Southern fought back in the bottom of the fifth inning. Hannah Clavelle’s double to right field drove in two crucial runs, allowing Jordan Henderson and Kailer Fulton to score and putting the Raiders ahead 4-3. Despite Eastern Oregon’s efforts in the later innings, Southern Oregon’s pitching and defense held firm, securing the narrow victory.

Key Performers

GAME TWO

The game remained scoreless until the fourth inning when Eastern’s offense ignited. Katelynn Evans kicked off the scoring with an RBI single, bringing in Madelyn Durham to give the Mounties a 1-0 lead. Shortly after, Haley Tyree’s single down the right-field line brought in another run, with Kelly Monaghan crossing the plate. Addison Ribordy then added to the lead with a single through the left side, driving in Evans and extending Eastern Oregon’s lead to 3-0.

In the sixth inning, Eastern Oregon extended their lead even further. Haley Tyree’s triple to right field brought home Evans, making it 4-0. Ribordy followed up with another RBI single to center field, allowing Tyree to score and giving Eastern Oregon a commanding 5-0 lead. Southern managed to put up a fight in the seventh inning, scoring two runs. Faith Moultrie’s single, coupled with a fielding error, allowed Sarah Kerling and Christina Tadvick to score, bringing the score to 5-2. Pitcher Kylie Parsons delivered a stellar performance for the Mountaineers, earning the win with 7 innings pitched, allowing only 2 runs on 7 hits, with 10 strikeouts and no walks.

Key Performers

Eastern Oregon will be back in action Saturday, April. 27 as they will finish their four game series with the Raiders. First pitch is set for 11 a.m.