LA GRANDE, Ore. – Eastern Oregon baseball fought back from an 8-4 deficit in their season opener at Optimist Field, pulling off the 9-8 victory over NCAA Division II Saint Martin’s.
In the early innings, Saint Martin’s University took the lead with Austin Schaler and Damon Ingram contributing to a 2-0 advantage. Ingram continued his impressive start with a double in the 3rd inning, extending the Saints’ lead to 3-0.
Eastern Oregon made their first push in the 4th inning as Tommy Whiles narrowed the gap to 3-1 with a home run over the right-field fence. The 5th inning saw explosive offense from both sides, with Schaler and Mark Steward hitting home runs for Saint Martin’s. Chase Nett and Mario Landeros then responded with big hits of their own for the Mounties, making the score 5-4, Saints.
In the 6th inning, Ingram’s three-run homer once again put Saint Martin’s back in the lead at 8-4. However, the duo Nett and Landeros struck again, tying the score at 8-8 with two-run singles.
The decisive moment came in the 7th inning when Trevor Baker of Eastern Oregon hit a home run, securing the 9-8 victory.
An impressive offensive performance from both teams, the game featured a total of 17 runs, 22 hits, and 6 home runs.
On the mound, Cooper Roberts earned the win for the Mounties, with Jake Herrera securing his second win of the season. Blaze Wong would be credited with the loss for the Saints.
Eastern Oregon will return to Optimist Field for tomorrow’s doubleheader with Saint Martin’s, set to get started at 11:00 a.m.
