By Jose Briseno, Castle Country Radio:

Last week, the Eagles battled against the conference-leading Golden Eagles of Southern Idaho. Eastern managed to take just one game in the four-game series as they now sit at 22-24 on the season and 19-17 in conference play.

Offense was on full display in game one of the USUE-CSI series as the two teams combined for 10 home runs. CSI left the field seven times while USUE hit three in a 14-13 USUE loss. The Eagles got things started quickly in the bottom of the first by taking an early 4-0 lead. The teams traded blows, back and forth until Southern Idaho ultimately took a 14-11 lead into the bottom of the seventh. Marissa Bowman would hit a two-run double in the seventh to bring the Eagles within one, but ultimately fell 14-13. Malorie Luck, Ally Oyanguren, and Zoey Rose left the yard for Eastern. Emma Marchant got the start in the circle for the Eagles. Marchant tossed 5.0 innings and allowed 10 runs on 10 hits. Malorie Luck replaced Marchant in the sixth and allowed four runs before being replaced by Oakley Giacoletto.

Game two saw four more home runs for Eastern, but they were unable to keep up with CSI as the Golden Eagles hung 20 runs on Eastern. USUE’s defense hurt them in a major way as they had a total of six errors. Oakley Giacoletto got the start in the circle for Eastern and allowed 15 runs, 13 earned, on 13 hits and five walks. Giacoletto lasted four innings before Sydney Smith tossed the final two innings. Smith allowed four earned runs on seven hits. The Eagles were able to manage eight runs offensively, but ended up falling 20-8.

The lone Eagle win came in game three as Eastern hit their way to a 9-7 win. Eastern used a Marissa Bowman three-run home run and a four-run third to take a commanding lead. Ally Oyanguren once again left the yard and Zoey Rose added two RBIs to her day. Emma Marchant tossed for the second time in the series and earned a complete-game win after allowing just six runs on eight hits.

With a chance to split the series, the Eagles lost a heartbreaking game three, 12-9. Zoey Rose and Marissa Bowman homered once again left the yard as a sixth-inning rally came up just short for Eastern. Sydney Smith got the start in the circle, but Madie Luck, Oakley Giacoletto, and Emma Marchant all saw time as well.

Their 19-17 record holds Eastern in third place of the SWAC conference standings. Eastern sits two games above CSN who has a record of 17-19 in conference play. The most decisive series of the season will happen this week as USUE and CSN will square off in Henderson, Nevada. The winner of the series will clinch the three seed in the conference. First pitch will be thrown at 1:00 PM on Friday, May 6.