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

By The Observer

Anji Weissenfluh made the right call and Tamie Parker came through with the big hit.

Weissenfluh had Parker pinch hit in the fifth inning of Eastern Oregons second game Friday against Southern Oregon, and Parker hit a two-run single that gave the Mountaineers a 2-1 victory and a split in the softball doubleheader.

Southern (17-15 overall, 1-5 Cascade Collegiate Conference) won the first game 1-0.

Weissenfluh gave Parker a chance to play the hero when she pinch hit the sophomore for center fielder Megan Brock.

Megan had struck out the two previous at-bats, Weissenfluh said. If the pitcher doesnt pitch off speed, (Parker) hits as well as anyone on our team.

Easterns two-out rally started with singles by JoElle Kaatz and Tonia Burk. Southern second baseman Stacey Marshall had made a leaping stab for Burks hit, and the ball deflected off her glove and fell right behind her. Marshalls throw to first was wide, allowing Kaatz and Burk to move to third and second.

Parker followed with a single past outstretched shortstop Latisha Inget that scored two runs.

The Raiders made it close in the top of the ninth when Siobban OHalloren scored on a sacrifice fly by Brandi Brown, but pitcher Jayne-Leigh Thomas got Angie Chaplin to strike out to end the game.

Thomas struck out seven and improved to 10-5 on the season.

A missed signal cost Eastern (18-16, 4-2) the first game. With Southern runners on first and third, Eastern catcher Missy Bonanno threw as if to catch Inget stealing second. Pitcher Kylee Curry was supposed to pick off the ball, but when she didnt, OHalloren scored from third for the games only run.

Eastern managed just five hits, including a 2-for-4 performance from Majalise Watson. Curry fell to 8-11 with the loss.

Easterns homestand continues with a doubleheader at 1 p.m. today against Oregon Tech and a single game at 11 a.m. Sunday against the Owls.

Oregon Tech (25-12) features all-region pitcher Leslie Ernstrom, who enters the game with a 12-4 record and a 1.40 earned-run average.

Southern Oregon 000 010 0 1 7 1

Eastern Oregon 000 000 0 0 5 1

Brown and Eastman; Curry and Bonanno. WP Brown (16-10). LP Curry (8-11).

Eastern Oregon hits Watson 2, Bacon, Burk, Brock. SB Brock.

Southern Oregon 000 000 1 1 7 2

Eastern Oregon 000 020 x 2 4 1

Ford and Jones; JLThomas and Bonanno. WP JLThomas (10-5). LP Ford (1-5).

Eastern Oregon hits Bacon, Kaatz, Burk, Parker. 2B Bacon. RBI Parker 2.