>La Grande Observer | Union and Wallowa Counties' News Leader

SLIDING HOME: The Bobcats’ Cody Billman (2-for-3, two doubles, RBI) slides into home in the second inning Tuesday. - The Observer/BRUCE MASON

It was the bottom of the sixth. Tie game. And here was Bobcats freshman Austin Woodward, leading off, holding his wooden bat, keeping that front foot closed.

And here came the pitch.

McMINNVILLE —Sometimes average is good enough. To EOU track, it certainly was.

At the Linfield Combined Events Meet (Heptathlon and Decathlon), EOU was average in most events, but wound up solid across the board.

Kasie Gillespie, a 2007 NAIA Heptathlon All American, sits atop her 16-woman field. Joining her is pole vault specialist Cayla Weissert, who, in her first heptathlon competition, sits in 11th place. Also, Erin Ontko (12th place) and Carla Hoppie (16th place) are right behind.

UNION — Welcome home.

After spending a week and a half in John Day, the Bobcats baseball team returned home in style.

Behind the arm of Brian Savely, Union defeated Sherman County, 9-1.

“We wanted to get (Brian) some work,” Bobcats head coach Greg Poor said. “He’s been closing out games, but hadn’t thrown too much lately.”

ALL SMILES: Satori Young and Grace Simanton swam 2 miles. - Submitted photo

On top of raising money for the club, the swimmers showcased their teamwork.

Cody Dubray and Shelby Baker swam extra lengths in the pool to help encourage other swimmers to finish.

POTENT PITCHING: Cami Bell offers up a pitch during an 8-1 win against Grant Union Saturday. Bell allowed one run on three hits during the game. Boo Christman followed with a 9-3 win in Game 2. The Observer/PAUL HARDER

Tigers coach Kevin Kohr gave his team a B after an 8-1, 9-3 sweep against Grant Union Saturday.

“Things are starting to come together,” Kohr said. “We won every inning, and that is our goal. If you can do that, you’re going to do well in the win column.”

A LITTLE SHORT: Crystal Weseman and EOU fell to Concordia in two games Saturday. The Observer/BRUCE MASON

Brrrr.

What was that? Mother Nature?

Hardly. It was those EOU softball bats, fanning at pitches.

STANFIELD — Joseph filled up the top spots in the field events at the Hornya Invitational hosted by Stanfield.

Ben Garnett took home a first-place 42 foot, 7.5 inch heave in the shot put.

He also grabbed a second-place finish in the with a 137 foot, 4 inch throw.

CAMPED OUT: EOU first baseman Megan Platz waits to make a catch during Game 1 Friday. - The Observer/BRUCE MASON

Normally, this is played with a deck of cards. Eight are dealt to each player, and the object is to discard yours quicker than everyone else.

It’s a fun game.

And apparently EOU is trying to create another version on the softball diamond.

EOU track and field teamed with Treasure Valley Community College on Friday, throwing on blue and gold colors, competing in a Mini Meet on the home track.

In the field events, Quinten Baxter and Andy Munsey stole the show in the hammer event. Baxter threw 177 feet, setting a personal record. Munsey also improved, throwing an extra 12 feet than his previous personal best.

HUNGRY HUSKY: Freshman Kirsten Crow connects with a pitch during a season opening sweep against Wallowa Friday. - The Observer/PAUL HARDER

Elgin/Imbler opened the season with a sweep against Wallowa  9-4 and 16-5.

Without their sophomore ace Tara Ludwig, Katie Griffin and Kacie Merrigan picked up for Elgin/Imbler.

“The girls did a good job,” Elgin/Imbler head coach Dick Griffin said. “We were able to get a lot of the younger kids some work in game situations. The girls made good adjustments all day, and got the job done.”