LA GRANDE, Ore. – In a high-scoring affair, British Columbia outlasted Eastern Oregon with a pair of 14-10 and 18-8 victories on Sunday.
GAME ONE
The action kicked off in the first inning as British Columbia’s Trent Lenihan’s sacrifice fly brought in Kaden Zarowny for an early lead. However, Eastern Oregon quickly responded after Mario Landeros’s sacrifice fly brought in two runs for the Mounties, putting them ahead 2-1.
In the second inning, Aiden Rose’s single and subsequent steal led to two runs, shifting the momentum back in the Thunderbirds’ favor. But Eastern Oregon kept fighting, with Youhyeon Choi and Parker Cumberland driving in runs to regain the lead, 5-4.
The seesaw battle continued into the later innings, with both teams exchanging blows. British Columbia’s offensive surge in the sixth, highlighted by Keegan Lott’s grand slam, proved to be the difference-maker, extending their lead to 13-6.
Despite a late rally by the Mountaineers, including homers by Mason Van Arsdall and Landeros in the ninth, the Thunderbirds held on for the 14-10 victory.
Daniel Orfaly earned the victory after tossing three strikeouts in five innings pitched. Jeter Larson was credited with the Mounties’ loss after allowing five hits and four earned runs.
Top Performers:
British Columbia:
- Keegan Lott: 2 for 4, 1 HR, 4 RBI
- Aiden Rose: 2 for 4, 1 RBI, 3 Runs Scored
- Russell Young: 2 for 5, 1 HR, 3 RBI
Eastern Oregon:
- Parker Cumberland: 3 for 4, 1 2B, 2 RBI
- Chase Nett: 3 for 6, 1 RBI
- Mario Landeros: 2 for 4, 1 HR, 2 RBI
GAME TWO
British Columbia struck first in the second game of Sunday’s doubleheader, as Trent Lenihan singled up the middle to give the Thunderbirds an early 1-0 lead. However, Eastern Oregon quickly responded as Joey Freitas homered down the right-field line, tying the game at 1-1.
The Mounties then surged ahead in the second inning, after Parker Cumberland powered a Grand Slam over the right field fence, propelling the Mountaineers to a 5-1 lead.
British Columbia fought back in the third inning, with Lenihan’s single to right field bringing in Kyle Yip, followed by Mitchell Middlemiss’s homer to center field, knotting the score at 5-5.
The Thunderbirds seized control in the 4th inning, as Lenihan’s homer to left center brought in three runs, extending their lead to 8-5. Eastern Oregon responded with Chase Nett’s RBI single bringing home Danny Burns, followed by a fielding error that allowed Nett to cross home plate himself. Trevor Baker then ripped an RBI single to left field, tying the score at 8-8.
British Columbia pulled away in the 5th inning with Jackson Boomer and Kyle Yip each driving in a run, followed by Lenihan’s notching his eight RBI after a double to right center that brought in three more runs, pushing the score to 13-8.
The Thunderbirds continued to add to their lead in the later innings, with Kyle Anderson and Boomer driving in runs in the sixth, and Anderson adding two more RBIs with a single in the 7th inning. David Draayers capped off the scoring with a single that brought in Anderson in the seventh, clinching the 18-8 victory in seven innings.
Will Anderson was credited with the Thunderbirds’ victory, Evan Hoegler earned the save. Tucker Zander was credited with the loss after allowing five earned runs in 1.1 innings.
Top Performers:
British Columbia:
- Trent Lenihan: 4 for 4, 3 R, 8 RBI
- Mitchell Middlemiss: 3 for 5, 3 R, 3 RBI
- Kyle Anderson: 3 for 4, 2 R, 3 RBI
Eastern Oregon:
- Parker Cumberland: 1 for 4, 1 R, 4 RBI
- Chase Nett: 2 for 3, 1 R, 1 RBI
- Joey Freitas: 2 for 4, 2 R, 1 RBI
The Mountaineers will travel to Walla Walla on Tuesday for their matchup with Whitman College, set to start at 6:00 p.m.
