HELENA, Mont. – Carroll College softball split a doubleheader with Eastern Oregon Saturday, falling 6-0 in the first game before winning 7-2 in the second.
The Carroll notched just two hits in the first game as EOU's Hailey Kline carried a no-hitter through five innings to earn the shutout win.
"Kudos to her, she kept us off rhythm, and we couldn't get anything going on her," head coach
Aaron Jackson said. "We are really good when we can string together hits, and we just couldn't do that against her."
EOU scored a run in the first, three in the third, one in the fourth and one in the seventh en route to the 6-0 win.
The Saints struggled to find consistency on defense, something that Jackson attributes to the mindset of the team after dropping a heartbreaker in yesterday's second game.
"We had a bit of a hangover from the second game yesterday," Jackson said. "Emotionally, coming into game three we were a little behind the eight-ball, and that led to poor performances. We couldn't get anything going. It was a tough battle, and we let it slip away. We need to get better at coming back when we face adverse situations."
The win gave EOU the 2-1 Cascade Conference series win but the Saints had an opportunity to even up the season series at 2-2, and they took advantage of the opportunity.
Jaylin Kenney scored on a fielder's choice by
Allison Williams in the first. The Saints added another run in the first win
Kendall Mooney hit into a double-play, but
Anna ApRoberts scored from third.
In the second,
Megan McCormick singled to left field scoring
Ashley Davis. Later in the inning, ApRoberts grounded out to the shortstop, but McCormick scored from third base to give Carroll a 4-0 lead.
EOU got on the board in the third with a two-run single to left field.
The Saints answered in their half of the inning with a double from
Brittany Smith down the right field line that scored
Hannah Alcorn. Smith then scored on a passed ball on the next at-bat.
In the sixth, Williams singled to center to score Brooke Yarnell. The Mounties failed to rally a comeback, and the Saints cruised to the 7-2 win.
Jackson used the non-conference game to help build depth and give his young team reps, the younger kids performed at a high level.
"That fourth game is a way to give other kids opportunities, and that is a way that we are going to be better at the end," Jackson said. "Down the stretch, those kids are going to have at-bats under their belts and have time in the field. This is a long season, and we are setting ourselves up to be playing our best in May."
Brooke Brown earned her first win of the season and looked sharp, giving up just two runs for the complete-game win. The pitching staff as a whole continues to show improvement.
"With every start, they become a better unit," Jackson said. "Another inning of work gives them an opportunity to improve. We are deep, and I believe down the stretch in May, it will be a big difference maker. Once our bats come around, it is going to be tough to beat us."
The Saints hit the road for three consecutive series starting next weekend at Oregon Tech in Klamath Falls.
