KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. - Following an upset win in their opening round game of the Cascade Collegiate Conference Championship, the Carroll Softball team fell in a tight 2-1 loss to Eastern Oregon in the second round of the postseason tournament on Friday afternoon.

The Fighting Saints (20-27-1) out-hit the two-seed Mountaineers on Friday evening, but couldn't convert the baserunners into runs, and are now forced into the elimination side of the bracket.

After an outstanding complete game effort in the morning, Kennedy Venner (Billings, Mont. / SO) again got the start in the circle for the Saints with a spot in the semifinals on the line.

Much like the opener, a scoreless opening frame gave way in the second inning, but this time it would favor the Mountaineers. 

Following an error and infield single, a sacrifice bunt would give EOU two runners in scoring position with just one out in the second. A single by Kylie Monaghan would find the gap between the first and second basemen, plating one. A bobble in the outfield would provide just enough time for the second runner to come home as well, and the Mounties would go on top 2-0 on a pair of unearned runs.

Venner would provide two more scoreless innings before Coach Juarez would look to her bullpen. Mackenzie Depaoli (Fernly, Nev. / FR) would get out of the fifth quickly, and the Saints bats started to come alive in the sixth.

Kenna Thomas (Belgrade, Mont. / JR) got the inning started with a double then Alyssa Lybbert (Las Vegas, Nev. / JR) moved her to third with a single. A passed ball presented Thomas with the opportunity to come home, and the Saints pulled within one at 2-1. 

A pair of walks then loaded the bases before EOU made a pitching change. On the first pitch off the reliever, Lybbert got a little to far away from the bag at third and was caught in a rundown, and the Mounties got out of the jam on the next batter to maintain their one run lead.

Down to their final three outs, the Saints were able to get Ellie Koerber (Billings, Mont. / JR) into scoring position following a single and steal, but that was as far as the Junior would get and EOU would survive the late comeback attempt.

Kenna Thomas continued her strong play at the plate, going 2-3 with the lone run scored for the Saints.

Facing elimination, the Saints will now play British Columbia at 12:30 p.m. (MDT) tomorrow afternoon in a loser-out game.

Visit www.carrollathletics.com tomorrow evening for a recap of the action, and to stay up to date on everything going on in Carroll Athletics.