Mounties Split Day One with Owls

LA GRANDE, Ore. — Eastern Oregon University (EOU) and Oregon Institute of Technology (OIT) battled in two tightly contested games on day one of the series. Late-game comebacks were a common theme as both teams rallied to win within the final two innings. The Mounties took Game 1 thanks to a go-ahead four-run inning in the bottom of the eighth, clinching a 6-5 victory. The Owls returned the favor in Game 2 with a four-run half in the top of the ninth to secure a 7-4 win.

EOU and OIT will return to action to wrap up the series tomorrow morning at Optimist Field. First pitch is scheduled for 11 a.m.

GAME 1
The first half of Game 1 was a pitcher’s duel as Brock Cordes (EOU) and Patrick Arman (OIT) battled it out, each giving up one run through the first five innings. Oregon Tech surged ahead in the sixth inning, putting up two runs. The first came on a Brady Culp single, and the second via swift baserunning that saw Ka’ala Tam take advantage of a first and third situation.

Eastern Oregon mounted a comeback effort in the seventh inning as Joey Freitas’ double down the right-field line drove in Parker Cumberland, narrowing the gap to 3-2. The game took a dramatic turn in the eighth inning when EOU’s Brandon Taddy doubled to left field, bringing home Rogelio Gonzales and Tommy Whiles, tying the game at 4-4. Cumberland then doubled to right field, scoring Taddy and putting Eastern Oregon ahead at 5-4. The Mounties added one more when a Chase Nett sacrifice bunt allowed Youhyeon Choi to cross the plate, extending EOU’s lead to 6-4.

With their backs against the wall, Oregon Tech fought back in the ninth inning. Tyler Horner’s clutch homer to left-center brought the score to 6-5, but Eastern Oregon held on to secure the victory.
Alex Farnsworth earned the win on the day coming out of the bullpen. The righty tossed three innings and gave up two earned runs.

KEY PERFORMERS
EOU:

OIT:

  • Patrick Arman: 6.2 IP, 2 ER, 3 K
  • Kyle Norton: 2-for-5, 2B, 1 RBI
  • Tyler Horner: 2-for-5, HR, 1 RBI, 2 R

GAME 2
Game 2 saw strong pitching as well between both starters. Oregon Tech’s Bronson Chapple threw eight innings, giving up four earned runs, while EOU’s Will Seslar battled through six innings, only surrendering three runs.

The Owls got off to a hot start with a leadoff homer from Matt Ortiz, who pulled one out of the yard to left. The Mounties answered in the third and took the lead thanks to a Trevor Baker single that brought in two runs, making it 2-1. Eastern looked to be in control, adding one run in both the fourth and fifth innings with some extra-base hits thanks to a Parker Cumberland double and a Joey Freitas homer. Those runs ended up being the last for the Mounties as they led 4-1 after five innings.

Oregon Tech closed the gap, putting up two runs in the sixth, capitalizing on a Mountie error. Kyle Norton and Tyler Horner each singled, resulting in runs for the Owls.

Things got quiet until the ninth when the Mounties made some costly mistakes. The first two batters got on for OIT, then chaos struck as an errant throw allowed two runs to score for Oregon Tech. The Owls made sure to add some insurance later in the inning thanks to a Patrick Barry sacrifice bunt that brought in a run, as well as a Tyler Horner double to put the nail in the coffin, making it 7-4. Eastern was unable to spark a comeback in the bottom half as the Owls brought in Tim Williams to secure the win and pick up the save.

KEY PERFORMERS
EOU:

OIT:

  • Bronson Chapple: 8 IP, 4 ER, 8 K, W
  • Tyler Horner: 2-for-5, 2B, 2 RBI
  • Matt Ortiz: 2-for-4, HR, 2 R, 1 RBI