PORTLAND | The Warner Pacific University Softball team (5-23, 3-15) just barely let two upset wins slip through their fingers this afternoon against the (RV) Eastern Oregon University Mountaineers (25-10, 13-4), as the Knights were either tied with or led late in both of the Saturday contests, with the final scores ending at 1-3 and 7-8.
 
Game 1
 
After allowing 11 runs to the Mountaineers in game one on Friday afternoon, the Knights were looking to reverse the curse in game one today, needing one more quality conference start out of sophomore starting pitcher Abby Carlson (3-12).
 
The 6'1 Portland native tossed 4.0 innings of two hit ball, before eventually allowing the first run of the game to score in the top of the fifth inning, due to an inning opening walk, followed by EOU's small ball approach to score the runner from third base on a single to right field from rightfielder Shelby Starr.
 
The Knights answered the following inning when senior centerfielder Paityn Willoughby singled up the middle, allowing senior second baseman Alexis Morrow to score on the throw in an attempt to cut down Willoughby back at first base.
 
6.0 innings of one run pitching turned out to be the maximum today for Carlson, as the Mounties ticketed her for another two runs in the top of the seventh inning, and a quiet bottom of the seventh for WPU resulted in the 1-3 loss for Warner Pacific.
 
Carlson was tagged for three runs on six hits in 7.0 innings of work, walking only two and striking out four Mounties along the way.
 
Willoughby led the offense in game one, collecting two of the Knights' three team hits and batting in the only RBI for the afternoon's opening contest. Sophomore leftfielder Faith Vadelund collected the other Warner Pacific hit, going 1-for-3 at the plate.
 
Eastern Oregon's starting pitcher Amanda Smith (12-3) tossed another gem for the Mounties today, allowing just one run on three hits in 7.0 innings, striking out a season-high nine WPU batters and walking just one hitter.
 
Starr was the driving force for the Mountaineers in their game one victory, accounting for every EOU RBI (3) in her three at-bats, collecting two hits for the only multi-hit effort for the visiting team. Centerfielder Karsyn Zaragoza scored two runs for Eastern Oregon, getting on base three times via a hit and two free passes from Knights' Carlson.
 
Game 2
 
The power duo of Vadelund and Willoughby shined through in the non-conference contest this afternoon, as a leadoff single and advancing to second via an outfielder error by Vadelund followed by a single from Willoughby allowed the Knights to strike first.
 
The Mountaineers answered in the top of the third inning with an unearned run of their own, thanks to yet another RBI at-bat from Starr. At this point in the second game, Starr had accounted for every Eastern Oregon RBI to enter the stat book Saturday afternoon.
 
WPU responded in the bottom half of the third with a run crossing the plate due to an errant infield throw, as Knights' starting pitcher Sammie Brauckmiller (1-7) reached base via a fielder's choice, but the infielder attempting to gun down Brauckmiller at first base skipped in front of the first baseman, which allowed Vadelund to score from second unearned.
 
Vadelund wasn't done yet for Warner Pacific, as she drove a deep home run over the right field fence with two outs and two runners aboard in the bottom of the fourth inning, stretching the WPU lead to 5-1.
 
Home runs evidently come in pairs at Erv Lind Stadium, as EOU second baseman Caitlin Crist hooked a likely foul ball just over the left field foul pole according to the home plate umpire the very next inning, which cut the Warner Pacific lead in half.
 
Vadelund continues to swing the heavy bat for the Knights, as she tacked on another two RBI single to right field in the bottom of the sixth inning. This brought the WPU lead to a comfortable 7-3 lead entering the seventh inning, but not comfortable enough.
 
With two outs in the top of the seventh inning, the Mountaineers rattled off six straight at-bats to take an 8-7 lead, capitalized by pinch hitter Haley Ebner's three-run double down the right field line. Despite a four-run lead and two outs, the Knights were unable to find that final out before allowing the advantage to dwindle right in front of their very eyes.
 
Even with a leadoff double from Brauckmiller to start the bottom of the seventh, EOU relief pitcher McKenna Stallings came in to shut the door on the next three WPU batters, completing the seventh inning comeback, and thus the weekend sweep for EOU.
 
Brauckmiller ended the afternoon with the loss, despite throwing an otherwise quality start before the seventh inning scoring showcase began for EOU. She allowed eight runs, only four of which were earned, on seven hits and four walks.
 
Knights' Vadelund did it all in game two for Warner Pacific, batting a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate, scoring three runs herself, and accounting for five RBIs. Willoughby collected a pair of hits in four at-bats, as well as another RBI, while junior left fielder Ashley Hawkins scored two runs on two hits.
 
EOU starting pitcher Abby Giles managed to escape this afternoon's start with a no decision, even though she allowed five runs on seven hits in 4.0 innings of work to cross the plate, striking out four along the way. Relief pitcher Kayla Berg (2-1) ended up earning the win in game two, pitching 2.0 innings out of the bullpen and allowing two runs on three hits, along with a trio of strikeouts. Stallings earned the save for the Mounties, her first of the season.
 
Ebner saved the day for the Mountaineers in the final game of the four-game series, as her bases clearing double accounted for three RBIs on the game winning hit. Crist's line drive homer tallied two runs to the Mounties' totals, while she scored two runs herself as well.
 
The Warner Pac Softball team will hit the road for the next two weeks, as they will face the #6 Southern Oregon University Raiders in Ashland, Ore. next Friday and Saturday. Game one and two will start at 2pm and 4pm PDT next Friday, respectively.