EUGENE, Ore. – Laynee Bevans broke the Northwest Christian University single-game record for hits on Friday afternoon, batting 5-for-5 to lead the Beacons to an 11-10 victory over Eastern Oregon in the first game of a Cascade Collegiate Conference double header. The Mountaineers would go on to take the second game, 7-1.

The Beacons took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning and went on to score five more runs in the second, highlighted by the third home run of the season for Parker Bonife. NCU continued to build their lead and were ahead 10-3 heading into the seventh inning.

Eastern Oregon stormed back with seven runs in the inning, tying the game on a two-out grand slam by Cassie Wendt. NCU, however, was able to respond in the bottom of the second, loading the bases before Chelsea Hannon scored from third on a wild pitch to end the game.

“We were swinging at good pitches today,” said head coach Julie Strand, “and we were patient on the outside stuff. One of the things we've been struggling with is getting the big hits with runners in scoring position but we overcame that in the first game.”

NCU collected 16 hits in the game, led by the 5-for-5 effort from Bevans who also scored three times. Not to be out-done, freshman Parker Bonife went 4-for-4 with three runs and three RBI, hitting the homer and adding a NCU-record tying three doubles. Dani Gehrke and Devon Murphy had two hits apiece with freshman Murphy picking up her first career triple.

Jordan Bennett allowed seven earned runs in 6.2 innings of work, collecting three strike outs. Sarah Lawhorn picked up the victory after coming in to retire the only batter she faced, ending the EOU seventh-inning rally.

EOU had ten hits in the game, led by Sarah Jackson who hit 3-for-5 with a home run. Katie Martell was 2-for-4 with two doubles and two RBI and Wendt finished with four RBI after her grand slam.

Alex Hillmick (2-5) took the loss, allowing eleven earned runs in 3.2 innings of work. Tailor Snow pitched the final 2.2 innings for the Mounties and struck out three batters, allowing just two hits.

After the Beacons pounded out 16 hits in the first game, the second amounted to a polar opposite performance as Eastern Oregon starter Kayla Anderson threw a gem, allowing just one unearned run on six hits while striking out a season-high nine batters. 

The Beacon defense struggled to keep up as Eastern put together a three-run fourth inning and two-run fifth inning to build a 5-0 lead behind all unearned runs. NCU finished the game with four errors.

Lawhorn (5-4) took the loss for NCU, going the distance and allowing just two earned runs on 12 hits. Gabby Stover got the Beacon's lone RBI, scoring Randi Kostner in the sixth inning and Lawhorn produced the only extra-base hit for Northwest Christian University with a double.

For Eastern Oregon (8-10, 1-5 CCC) Jackson continued her strong day with a 3-for-4 performance, adding her second home run of the day to go along with a pair of doubles and five RBI. Wendt and Martell each had two more hits for the Mounties with Wendt scoring three runs.

The Beacons (5-9, 3-3 CCC) will return to action on Saturday morning, playing host to The College of Idaho for a double-header, beginning at 11:00 am.