EUGENE, Ore – The NCU softball team played their first home games of the season on Sunday with visiting Eastern Oregon University coming away with the sweep, 7-4 and 9-5.
 
EOU collected 25 hits on the afternoon. The bulk of the offense came from the middle of the order, specifically on the bats of Cheyenne Barker and Lauren Burchak who combined for 8 hits and 7 RBI. Burchak had a three-run home run in the opener and batted 3-for-4 while Barker went 2-for-2 in the night cap with three RBI and two walks.
 
NCU's best offense came from sophomore Jessica Garner, collecting three singles and each time collecting a stolen base. Garner is a perfect 10-for-10 on swipes and has been on base 13 times.
 
Haylie Van Laethem (2-3) got the win in game one, allowing two earned runs over five innings. Hailey Kline threw the final two innings to record her first save of the season. Katie Walker (2-4) went the distance for the Beacons and struck out a pair.
 
Kline (4-4) went back to the circle for the second game and pitched a complete game, allowing four earned runs while striking out six Beacon batters. Janieve Boyles (0-2) allowed five runs over six innings of work for NCU and took the loss.
 
NCU (2-10, 2-3 CCC) and Eastern Oregon (6-7, 2-3 CCC) will be back in action on Monday for another double-header. The first game is the third CCC-counting contest while game four of the series is a non-conference affair. The games are currently scheduled to begin at 11:00 am but could move up to 10:00 am. Please check Twitter for up-to-date schedule announcements.