CALDWELL, Idaho - The College of Idaho baseball team opened its weekend series with Eastern Oregon University in emphatic fashion Saturday at Wolfe Field, outlasting the Mountaineers in a wild opener before turning in a crisp, complete performance in the nightcap.
Game one was chaos in the best sense of the word, as the Yotes erupted for a 14-9 victory in a back-and-forth contest that featured momentum swings, big innings and clutch at-bats from start to finish.
Eastern Oregon struck first in the fourth behind timely hits from Alex Olague and a three-run home run by Greyson McDaniel, briefly seizing control. The Yotes answered immediately and then some. A marathon fifth inning saw The College of Idaho send wave after wave of hitters to the plate, piling up runs through patience, power and pressure on the bases.
James Hull delivered three RBIs from the top of the order, while
Connor Olsen drove in four, including a bases-clearing double that broke the game open.
Austin Moon and
Caden Casagrande also contributed key run-producing hits as the Yotes scored in five different innings and drew 12 walks as a team. On the Eastern Oregon side, Olague finished with three hits and a pair of RBIs, while Jace Nagler added a home run and set the tone offensively for the Mountaineers.
Game two told a completely different story.
After the offensive fireworks of the opener, the Yotes settled into a methodical, disciplined performance on both sides of the ball, shutting out Eastern Oregon 8-0. The College of Idaho pitching staff set the tone from the outset, working efficiently and refusing to allow the Mountaineers to generate sustained threats. Defensively, the Yotes were sharp and composed, turning routine chances into outs and keeping Eastern Oregon off the scoreboard for all nine innings.
Offensively, C of I continued to apply steady pressure. The Yotes scored early and added on, capitalizing on quality at-bats and strong situational hitting. While the Mountaineers were limited, Nagler and Olague once again worked competitive plate appearances, with Olague continuing to be a presence in the middle of the lineup despite a much quieter night overall for Eastern Oregon.
The teams will continue the series Sunday with a doubleheader beginning at 11 a.m. MT at Wolfe Field. Seniors will be honored between games as The College of Idaho celebrates its graduating class.
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