Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 EUGENE, Ore. – Eastern Oregon took the conference series on Saturday, winning the opening game of a double-header, 9-3. NCU bounced back to claim their tenth win of the season in the non-conference closer, 7-6. It was the second straight split for the two teams.
 
After committing just one error on Friday, the Beacons fielders got roughed up a bit in the opener, specifically in a four-run third inning for the Mounties where the team had three miscues. Eastern took a 6-3 lead at that point and added three more in the fourth.
 
Lauren Spencer (6-5) went the distance for EOU to get the win, striking out three batters and not allowing an earned run. Emma Jegtvig started the game and came back later in relief, finishing with three strikeouts and one earned run allowed in 4.2 innings. Senior Madi Jones (1-2) also struck out three batters in her relief effort, but suffered the loss as a result of the tough third and fourth innings.
 
For the Mounties, Madison Barr led the way on offense going 4-for-4 at the plate with a double, three runs and an RBI. Rayne Spencer also scored three times as she was 2-for-3. Noel Balderston and Jegtvig picked up two hits apiece for NCU.
 
The Beacons went on to claim victory in the non-conference conclusion to the four-game series, highlighted by a two-run home run from Anna Cardwell. It was her second collegiate dinger and second in as many days.
 
NCU added four runs in the third inning, taking a 6-1 lead. Garner singled and scored as part of that burst, giving the senior a new NCU career record with her 94th run scored. 

The lead proved to be less than comfortable as Eastern ralled to score four runs in the top of the fourth, climbing within one score. 

After the Beacons got one back in the fifth, EOU threatened again in the top of the seventh, scoring a run to make it 7-6. Freshman Shay Shropshire, however, was able to close the door on her first career victory. Shropshire gave up four earned runs in seven innings while striking out three.
 
The Mounties Jessica Lambert (1-5) took the loss, allowing two earned runs on five hits over 2.2 innings. Amanda Smith added 3.1 innings of relief work, striking out one and giving up no earned runs on two hits.
 
Heading into the final weekend of the regular season, Eastern Oregon moves to 12-19, 7-17 in Cascade Conference action. The Beacons are right behind them, 10-29 overall and 6-18 in CCC play. Both teams remain alive in the post-season chase which will come down to the final weekend of the season. The Mounties return home to play host to No. 11 Oregon Tech while the Beacons head to Kirkland, Washington to take on Northwest University.