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

TUCSON, Ariz. — Call it a good way to end a tournament.

EOU softball followed its win-loss pattern true to form, winning two of three games Wednesday at the Tucson Invitational, finishing with a 4-3 record in the Grand Canyon State. 

In the opener, EOU stomped on McPherson College (Kan.) 8-1.

The Mounties pumped out 14 hits, led by Michelle St. John (3-for-4, double, 2 RBI), Megan Monaghan (2-for-4, 2 RBI), Crystal Weseman (2-for-3, double, RBI) and Vanessa Wood (pinch-hit solo home run). 

EOU starter Kelly West earned the win by tossing a complete game, yielding just five hits while striking out eight batters.

In the second game, six infield errors plagued EOU in its 11-4 loss versus Taylor (Ind.).

Mounties starter Melodee Mildenberger earned the loss, but gave up just three earned runs in five innings.

Along with the errors, EOU hurt itself by stranding seven runners across innings two through four. A leadoff double by Lydia Holm in the second and a leadoff single by Megan Platz in the fourth produced zero runs, helping send EOU to defeat.

At the plate, St. John (2-for-3), Holm (2-for-2, double), Mildenberger (RBI triple) and Lindsey Smith (2-RBI triple) led EOU.

In the third game of the day, and final game of the tournament, EOU went out on a good note, thumping Lawrence University (Wis.), 14-4 in five innings.

It was the Monaghan show.

The EOU junior belted two home runs en route to a 3-for-3, five-RBI game. Holm hit a two-run homer, as well.

Mildenberger earned the win in relief, shining on the mound by throwing five strikeouts in three innings.

Next for the Mounties (7-9) is a conference game at Northwest Christian College at 11 a.m. Saturday.

Game 1

EOU                    300 102 2     — 8 14 1

McPherson          000 100 0     — 1   5 0

W: West. L: Ziegler. 2B— EOU: St. John, Weseman; MC: Coleman. HR— EOU: Wood.

Game 2

Taylor               402 021 2     — 11 10 0

EOU                  001 030 0 —  4   8  6

W: Tomaszewski. L: Mildenberger. 2B— T: Stone, Lewellen; EOU: Holm. 3B— T: Arnold; EOU: Mildenberger, Smith.

Game 3

Lawrence               110 02 —  4  5  4

EOU                       332 6x     — 14 12 3

W: Mildenberger. L: Marinac. 2B— LU, Cheever; EOU: Weseman. HR— EOU: Monaghan 2, Holm.