A12
SPORTS
East Oregonian
Softball:
Continued from Page A10
Makenzie Chambers led the
way in batting average and
hits, as well as finishing top
three on the team in runs,
RBIs and home runs.
One key addition that will
help fill that void is junior
infielder Caitlin Crist, who
transferred from Idaho State.
The Mountaineers will be
relying on Crist to be a defen-
sive centerpiece in the infield
this year.
“I have not seen some-
one in a long time cover the
ground that she can cover,”
Christian said.
Crist is joined by newcom-
ers Grace Gather and Hannah
Tyree. Gather is a trans-
fer from Oregon State who
plays utility, mostly slotting
in the middle of the field and
at third base. Tyree, a fresh-
man, is expected to help
replace the production at the
catcher position.
“She instantly stepped
up in the catching spot for
us,” Christian said. “We’re
excited to have her for four
years, she’ll make a big
impact for us.”
The Mountaineers have
several key pieces returning,
in the field and on the mound.
First baseman Haley Ebner
returns after hitting .306 last
year and leading the team
with 29 RBIs and six home
runs. Amanda Smith, last
season’s top pitcher, leads
the way for Eastern after
compiling a 6-8 record last
season with a 4.09 ERA and
45 strikeouts. The Mountain-
eers are looking to build upon
a strong committee of pitch-
ers, including several key
returners.
“Abby Giles is going to
have a key role, as well as
Kayla Berg,” Christian said.
“Natalee Hall put in a ton of
work on the mound in the
offseason, so I’m excited to
see what she can do for us.”
Trial by fire
Christian and the Moun-
taineers are not hiding the
fact they play in one of the
toughest softball conferences
in the National Association
of Intercollegiate Athlet-
ics. Southern Oregon is the
reigning national champion,
defeating conference oppo-
nent Oregon Tech in the final
game — the College of Idaho
Tuesday, February 8, 2022
finished third overall in a
sweep of Cascade Collegiate
Conference teams.
To be the best, Eastern is
aiming to beat the best. The
Mountaineers have a heavy
slew of road nonconference
games to start the season,
facing difficult opponents
before starting conference
play in March.
Eastern starts its season
with 17 consecutive road
games, including a streak of
games against teams in Cali-
fornia — opening day is set
for Saturday, Feb. 12, with a
four-game road series against
Willamette. The Mountain-
eers have two matchups
against top-25 Hope Interna-
tional on Feb. 25 and Feb. 26.
“All we’ve talked about
is trying to win these games
and make it known that we’re
a top team. That was one of
our goals, to go out and get
some of these teams in the
preseason to see where we
need to be and also get on
their radar,” Christian said.
“That’s what we have to do
to compete, get out and face
those teams.”
Eastern is stepping up its
scouting this season, keep-
ing an eye on top conference
teams to gain an advantage.
Christian credited close
losses last year against top
teams as motivation for the
upcoming year. The Moun-
taineers went to extra innings
in one matchup against
Oregon Tech and saw close
games against the College of
Idaho and Corban.
“Just knowing that we’re
starting to be in every single
game, with some of these
coming down to one inning
or a couple runners, it’s start-
ing to pick up,” Christian
said.
Christian emphasized that
in her third year, the coach-
ing staff at Eastern is hold-
ing the bar high and working
toward a winning culture.
The Mountaineers, who are
running through final prepa-
rations before the upcoming
season begins shortly, are
looking to challenge the top
teams in the Cascade Colle-
giate Conference this year.
“I think we’re going to
upset some of those top
teams,” Christian said. “I
think last year we were right
there, but I think this year we
have that capability to play,
upset and get series wins
against some team we’re not
supposed to win against.”
Chamber of
Commerce
PO Box 1 • 101 Olson Rd. • Boardman, OR 97818 • 541-481-3014
www.boardmanchamber.org • email: info@boardmanchamber.org
Sean Meagher/The Oregonian, File
This newsletter proudly
sponsored by the
following businesses:
Oregon head coach Mark
Wasikowski as the Oregon
Ducks face the Portland Pi-
lots in a college baseball
game April 14, 2021, at Joe
Etzel Field.
POWERED BY
Turf:
Continued from Page A10
REALTY GROUP
The players like the reno-
vations and naturally hitters
and pitchers have different
perspectives on the changing
dimensions in the outfield.
“It’s going to take some
time to get used to because
the old park was a little
bigger obviously,” outfielder
Anthony Hall said. “I’m more
excited for the offensive part.
I think it’ll help us a little bit,
especially me.”
Hall hit .286 with 11
doubles, a triple, six home
runs and 36 RBIs last season
and was also one of UO’s best
defensive outfielders.
The changes certainly
won’t turn PK Park into a
bandbox but the extreme
edge for pitchers, particu-
larly in the early spring, will
be lessened.
“That just means I’m
going to have to keep the
ball low and at the knees and
lower than that,” pitcher Isaac
Ayon said. “Other than that it
feels beautiful. I’m glad we
got a renovation. We couldn’t
be happier.”
The new turf will also
impact the infield. Older
FieldTurf fields had more
rubber and ground balls
would take bigger hops,
whereas newer technology
includes cork and coconut
husks that are much closer to
natural dirt infields.
“It’s awesome,” shortstop
Josh Kasevich said. “I think
the coolest part for me is the
infield. Kind of a different
material. I think actually
it’s coconut shavings on the
infield so it plays kind of like
dirt. Get some more true hops
and plays really nice.”
The Ducks began team
practices Friday, Feb. 4.
The season opener at
San Diego is Feb. 18, and
the home opener against St.
John’s is Feb. 25.
DEAN KEGLER
2 Marine Dr., Suite #104
Boardman, OR
541-481-2888 • 541-377-6402 CELL
ON THE SLATE
TUESDAY, FEB. 8
Prep girls basketball
Ione/Arlington at Echo, 6 p.m.
Riverside at Irrigon, 6 p.m.
Weston-McEwen at Union, 6 p.m.
Pendleton at Ridgeview, 7 p.m.
Prep boys basketball
Pendleton at Ridgeview, 5:30 p.m.
Ione/Arlington at Echo, 7:30 p.m.
Riverside at Irrigon, 7:30 p.m.
Weston-McEwen at Union, 7:30 p.m.
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 9
College men’s basketball
Blue Mountain at Spokane, 7:30 p.m.
College women’s basketball
Blue Mountain at Spokane, 5:30 p.m.
Prep girls basketball
Nixyaawii at Griswold, 6 p.m.
Prep boys basketball
Nixyaawii at Griswold, 7:30 p.m.
THURSDAY, FEB. 10
Prep girls basketball
Nixyaawii at Pendleton JV, 4:30 p.m.
Irrigon at Umatilla, 6 p.m.
Prep boys basketball
Nixyaawii at Pendleton JV, 6:30 p.m.
Irrigon at Umatilla, 7:30 p.m.
If you are a Boardman Chamber member
and would like to help sponsor this
Chamber newsletter page, call 541-564-4538
or email aworkman@eastoregonian.com