EUGENE, Ore. – Fresh off moving to their highest ranking in over 24 years, the NAIA's No. 11-ranked Eastern Oregon University had a fight on their hands before sweeping a double-header from Bushnell on Friday afternoon, 2-1 and 6-0.
 
GAME ONE: Eastern Oregon 2, Bushnell 1 (9 Innings)
 
While there are no true moral victories, it had to feel good for the Beacons, especially starting pitcher Emily Cole as she went toe-to-toe with the No. 11-ranked Mounties for nine innings in the series opener, before falling 2-1.
 
Eastern scored in the second inning to make it 1-0, before Bushnell tied the game on what would be their only hit, a single by Suzi Krstic to score Haleigh Wamboldt in the top of the seventh.
 
That forced extra innings, where EOU came up with the game-winner after an error, providing an unearned run to walk it off.
 
Cole (7-13) continues her impressive season, this time going all nine innings for the complete game, giving up one earned run on eight hits while striking out three.
 
Unfortunately, the Beacons were going up against Kaylie Hoskins (13-2), the NAIA strikeout leader, who fanned an EOU-record 17 batters in her one-hitter.
 
GAME TWO: Eastern Oregon 6, Bushnell 0
 
Not only do the Mounties boast the top pitcher in the CCC in Hoskins, they also have the second-lowest ERA in the conference courtesy of Kylie Parsons (15-2) who got the call for game two. Parsons also threw a one-hitter, striking out ten batters for the win.
 
For the second straight game, Krstic helped Bushnell avoid a no-hitter as she connected for a one-our double in the fourth inning.
 
The Beacons (11-29, 5-18 CCC) were officially eliminated from post-season contention with the losses and will play their final road games of the season on Saturday with another double-header against Eastern Oregon (30-6, 20-3) beginning at 11:00 am.