EUGENE, Ore. – Southern Oregon University showed why they are the Cascade Collegiate Conference front-runners this weekend, sweeping a four-game set from the Beacons including three CCC games.
 
Southern Oregon (25-4, 11-1 CCC) was firing on all cylinders with none more apparent than pitching. Led by reigning NAIA National Pitcher of the Week Gabby Stover, the Raiders didn't allow an earned run until the 20th inning of the series. The Beacons struck out 30 times and had 13 hits, getting one-hit twice.
 
The Raiders took the opening game, 5-1 as Sandoval went the distance with ten strikeouts. The Beacons managed three singles in the contest, singles from Tra Kucera, Maya Jenkins, and Sabrina Guerra.
 
SOU picked up the run-rule 10-0 victory in Friday's second contest, pounding out 14 hits including five that went for extra bases. Lauren Quirke (4-1) struck out six batters and allowed just one hit to Alexa Berry in four innings of work.
 
Saturday began with another 10-0, five-inning affair and once again the Beacons were held to one hit, a double for Guerra. The Beacons committed three errors in the contest which led to five unearned runs in the first two innings. Emma Jegtvig (3-8) took her second loss of the weekend, allowing five runs on five hits although none of the runs were earned.
 
With the three-game conference series complete, the teams took to the field for a non-conference closer. The Beacons had their most successful outing, dropping the contest, 6-3. NCU made up for lost time, collecting eight hits.
 
Senior Jess Garner, who had gone hitless in the first three games, registered her first three-hit game of the season. Kucera added a hit, a run, an RBI and a stolen bases.
 
The Beacons will quickly turnaround and head back to Eugene to begin a three-game conference series with the University of British Columbia. The teams will play the first two games on Sunday, beginning at 2:00 pm and will compete a third time at 11:00 am on Monday.