LA GRANDE, Ore. – Eastern Oregon Baseball was back in action Sunday as they took on the Yotes of the College of Idaho. Eastern fought back late but dropped game one by a score of 4-3 and later dropped game two by a score of 9-7.
GAME ONE
The game started with College of Idaho taking an early lead in the first inning when Chandler Stocking scored on a wild pitch, putting them ahead 1-0. In the third inning, the Yotes extended their lead with Jordan Kelly’s two-RBI single to left field, bringing in Stocking and Dillon Danner, pushing the score to 3-0.
Eastern fought back in the seventh inning with a Mario Landeros two-run homer, driving in Tommy Whiles, cutting College of Idaho’s lead to 3-2. They then tied the game at 3-3 after Tyler Balkenbush doubled to right field, scoring Carson Gerding. However, College of Idaho responded in the bottom of the eighth inning when Austin Moon hit a sacrifice fly to right field, bringing in Dawson Cummins for what would be the winning run, sealing the victory at 4-3.
Key Performers
- Mario Landeros – 1-4, 2 RBIs
- Tyler Balkenbush – 2-4, 1 RBI
GAME TWO
The Yotes took an early lead in the first inning when Ben Gaff doubled to right center, driving in Chandler Stocking to put them ahead 1-0. Eastern responded in the fifth inning, with Tommy Whiles delivering a crucial double down the left field line, bringing in Joey Freitas and Parker Cumberland to give the Mountaineers a 2-1 lead. Mario Landeros then added to their lead with a single up the middle, scoring Whiles to make it 3-1.
However, College of Idaho mounted a comeback in the bottom of the sixth inning, scoring seven runs to take control of the game. Hits from Kris Kirkpatrick, Jordan Kelly, and Jack Ingraham fueled the rally, giving the Yotes an 8-3 lead. EOU fought back in the seventh inning, with Whiles and Landeros each hitting doubles to cut the deficit to 8-6. Danny Burns added another run with a double of his own, bringing the score to 8-7. In the eighth inning, College of Idaho extended their lead to 9-7 when Gaff reached first on a fielding error, allowing Dillon Danner to score. Eastern made a final push in the ninth inning, but College of Idaho held on to secure the win.
Key Performers
- Tommy Whiles – 3-5, 3 RBIs, 2 runs
- Mario Landeros – 3-4, 2 RBIs, 1 run
The conclusion of today’s games puts a stamp on the 2024 season for the Mountaineers. The 16 wins is the most wins since the program’s reinstatement in 2021.
