HERMISTON, Ore. | The Warner Pacific softball team opened Cascade Collegiate Conference play this weekend at Eastern Oregon University and came away with the weekend split falling 8-1 and 10-2 on Friday, but battling back to take the final two games of the series 4-2 and 4-1 on Saturday. 
 
Eastern Oregon struck early in game one plating 3 runs in the bottom of the first inning, capitalizing on 2 walks, 2 hits and 1 WPU Error. Knight starter Melia Croydon settled in from there allowing just 1 run over the next 4 innings, The knights had numerous opportunities to close the gap stranding 7 runners, but each time they threatened to close the gap, EOU's pitching staff was able to work out of trouble. Senior Shortstop Bekah Roe homered in the top of the 5th inning to close the gap to 4-1, but that was as close as the game would get. EOU plated 4 in the bottom of the 6th for the final tally. Freshman pitcher Melia Croydon took the loss for the Knights and moved to 2-2 on the season. 
 
Much like game one, Eastern Oregon struck early in game two scoring 3 runs in the bottom of the first to take an early lead. The Knights threatened in the bottom of the 2nd, but Eastern Oregon's starter was able to get the ground ball she needed for a rally killing double play. EOU's offense took command of the game in the bottom of the 2nd inning adding 6 runs to take a commanding 9-0 lead. They would add one more in the bottom of the 3rd. 
 
 In the top of the third, Pinch hitter Alexis Morrow led off with a walk, and Sarah Stanfill and Bekah Roe both singled to load the bases with no outs, but again, EOU was able to induce a double play ball that quickly brought the inning to a halt. The Knights continued to battle in the 4th, and Sophomore Payton Hergert led off the frame with a single to right. Sophomore Jamie Carlson doubled to right the next at bat, and Junior Devinne Amesquita drove in both of them with a single to center to cut into the EOU lead, but for the third time in the game, EOU was able to pitch out of trouble via the double play ball that prevented what would have been a big inning as Junior Paityn Willoughby doubled the next at bat but was unable to score. 
 
Neither team threatened again as EOU coasted to the 10-2 victory. Freshman pitcher Cierra Speck took the loss for the Knights, and Freshman Abby Carlson turned in 2.1 innings of work in relief. 
 
The Warriors were led by Bekah Roe, Jamie Carlson, Macy Besuyen, and Payton Hergert who each collected two hits on the day. 
 
On Saturday the tables were turned, and after a scoreless first inning by both teams, iut was the Knights who got on the scoreboard first. Sophomore Payton Hergert singled to lead off the inning, and when Senior Rian Snowadski  and Junior Devinne Amesquita walked WPU was in business. Sophomore Jamie Carlson singled to right to score Hergert, Willoughby picked up an RBI via a groundout to second, and Amesquita scored on a perfectly executed double steal after Senior Sarah Stanfill reached via HBP. WPU would add an insurance run in the 4th inning when Jamie Carlson led off with a single and advanced to third on Paityn Willoughby's double one batter later. Senior Bekah Roe drove in Carlson with a single to left. Eastern Oregon answered with a run of their own with two outs in the bottom of the 4th, but Knight starter Melia Croydon quickly shut down any thoughts of a rally inducing an inning ending ground out.  In the bottom of the 6th EOU would strike again via three singles, but again Croydon was able to quickly close the door inducing a line out to 2b.  Croydon would throw an uneventful 7th inning to go the distance and pick up her third win of the season. 
 
In game two it was WPU that would strike first again. Senior leadoff hitter Bekah Roe started things off in the top of the first with a single through the right side, and Senior Macy Besuyen followed with an RBI double to left. Freshman pitcher Cierra Speck stymied the EOU hitters, and the score would remain 1-0 into the top of the 5th. In the 5th inning the Knights' bats came alive. Freshman pinch hitter Christina Barrett singled, and after pinch runner Valeti Fifita stole second and third, Sarah Stanfil drove her in with a single to left. Stanfill promptly stole second herself and scored on Payton Hergert's RBI single to center to give the Knights a 3-0 lead heading into the bottom of the 5th. EOU finally managed to plate a run in the bottom of the 6th but Catcher Jamie Carlson threw out an EOU baserunner attempting to steal to end the rally. In the top of the 7th Bekah Roe was hit by a pitch to start the frame, and after a sac bunt by Sarah Stanfill, Devinne Amesquita drove her in with a single to center field. Freshman Melia Croydon took the ball for the Knights in the 7th inning, and two groundouts and a strikeout later, recorded her first save of the season.
 
Offensively the Knights were led by Payton Hergert, Bekah Roe, Paityn Willoughy, and Jamie Carlson who collected two hits apiece. 
 
The knights improve to 6-6 on the season (1-3 in CCC play), and return to action Friday, March 12th against Corban University. Games times are slated for a 1pm/3pm start.