La GRANDE, Ore. – The Northwest Christian University softball team put aside a tough preseason on Friday, walking out of their Cascade Collegiate Conference opening double-header with a split against Eastern Oregon University.
 
GAME ONE
 
Starting pitcher Jill Suratt (1-4) allowed three runs in the third inning and that would be enough for the Mountaineers who claimed a 4-2 victory.
 
The Beacons got a run back in the sixth when Parker Bonife reached on an error, scoring Suratt. After giving up a solo home run to EOU in the bottom of the sixth, NCU threw one more run on the board in the seventh, on an RBI double from Randi Kostner.
 
Kostner (pictured) finished the game batting 2-for-3, as did Kaeli Massetto.
 
GAME TWO
 
All the true fireworks came in game two which the Beacons eventually won, 11-8. The contest seemed to be well in hand after NCU opened up the game with five runs on four hits in the top of the first inning. Bonife and Massetto highlighted the scoring with two-rbi hits.
 
Kostner gave the Beacons a 6-0 lead in the third inning with an RBI double. The first EOU run didn't come in until the bottom of the fourth.
 
It was Kostner who fueled another rally in the sixth inning, leading off the frame with a solo home run. Suratt followed with a single which was in turn followed by an Addy Hoskins double. After a pitching change, freshman Ashlee Cole blasted a three-run home run to give the visitors a 10-1 lead.
 
Trailing by nine runs in the bottom of the sixth, the Mounties were able to avoid the mercy-rule loss as they posted five runs on four hits.
 
The Beacons added their final run in the seventh inning as Suratt singled down the left field line to score Chelsea Roberts, who had previously doubled to reach base.
 
An RBI triple by EOU's Gonzalez followed by an error in the outfield that let Gonzalez come home, gave the Beacons the 11-8 final score.
 
Katie Walker (3-6) picked up the win for NCU, striking out four batters while allowing seven runs on 11 hits. Six different NCU batters collected multiple hits. For Kostner it was a 5-for-8 day at the plate with three game-two hits going for extra-bases. Cole was 3-for-3 with three RBI, two runs and two walks.
 
NCU returns to action on Saturday, traveling to take on No. 21 College of Idaho for a double header beginning at 11:00 MST.