PENDLETON — Going into Thursday’s doubleheader with La Grande, Pendleton needed a sweep and it needed to win both games by a combined four runs or more for the Greater Oregon League title. They did both.

The Bucks beat the Tigers 11-10 and 11-6 at Bob White Field to win the GOL title for the fourth consecutive year.

“We are the league champions,” Pendleton coach Justin Speer said. “We had to beat them by four runs. We found out the day of that’s what we needed to do. It’s one of the more interesting ways of ending  it.”

The win gives the No. 9 Bucks (19-8 overall, 10-2 GOL) a spot in the 4A state playoffs, but they won’t know if they will host or travel. The rankings freeze Saturday night.

“That gave us added motivation,” Speer said. “That and winning another league title. I’m so proud of the players and coaches.”

In the first game, the Bucks took a  9-7 lead after four innings, only to see the Tigers (15-9, 10-2) tie the score in the top of the sixth inning.

Pendleton got the two runs back in the bottom of the sixth courtesy of a two-run single by Eli Smidt for an 11-9 lead.

La Grande pulled with 11-10 in the top of the seventh, but left two men stranded when Sovann Chab grounded out to Pendleton first baseman Grayson English.

La Grande opened the game with two runs in the top of the second inning, only to see the Bucks score four and take the lead.

Smidt drove in one run with a single to right field, and three batters later, Colin Harrington blasted a three-run home run over the center field fence. It was Harrington’s sixth home run of the year.

“The last two weeks, he has had a pretty fun run,” Speer said of Harrington. “He has been really hot. He is the guy who makes us go.”

Harrington picked up the win, giving up seven runs on seven hits with three strikeouts and three walks.

In the second game, the Bucks scored five runs in the second inning for a 6-2 lead and never trailed.

Pendleton took advantage of five walks in the second, and scored runs off an error, a wild pitch, a sacrifice fly by English and a two-run single by Nate Driskell.

The Bucks added a run off a double by English in the fourth, and in the fifth, brothers Tugg and Kolt McQuin each hit a home run. Kolt hit a solo shot to open the inning, and Tugg hit a two-run shot. It was the third home run for Kolt and the first for Tugg this season.

“That was a pretty cool moment for them,” Speer said.

Pendleton added one more run in the sixth off an RBI single by Smidt.

The Tigers scored three runs in the seventh, but it wouldn’t be enough.

Freshman Reid Furstenberg earned the win, allowing three runs on two hits with seven strikeouts and three walks.

“Give La Grande credit, they are a good team,” Speer said. “For us, our kids gave us their best stuff. Our starters and relief guys keep us in games and give us a chance to win.”

Softball

PENDLETON 11-9, LA GRANDE 6-8 — The Bucks closed out their Greater Oregon League schedule with a sweep of the Tigers at Steve  Cary Field.

Pendleton (15-9 overall) is tied with Baker atop the league standings at 5-3, but the Bulldogs, who won three of four games against the Bucks, won the league title and will have the No. 1 seed in the playoffs.

“The nice thing about finishing second is you get a playoff spot,” Pendleton coach Tim Cary said. “The rankings freeze on Saturday. We are hoping to stay in the top eight, so we get a home game.” 

In the first game, Pendleton (15-9 overall) took the lead for good with seven runs in the bottom of the third inning,  highlighted by a two-run single by Shaylor Fisher and RBIs singles from Tatum Lambert and Avery Quaempts.

Sitting with a 9-5 lead, Quaempts blasted a two-run home run in the bottom of the fifth for a bit more breathing room. It was her eighth home run of the season.

“Avery swings a big bat,” Cary said. “She had a good game all the way around today. She had trouble with La Grande the last time we played them. She did a nice job today.”

Finley Evans went 3-for-3 with a double and two RBIs for the Bucks,  while Kelsi Primus was 3-for-4 with a double.

Fisher picked up the win,  allowing six runs on 10 hits while striking out one and walking four.

In the second game, the Bucks trailed 8-6 after four innings, but scored three runs in the bottom of the sixth to rally for the win.

With two outs, Quaempts got the ball rolling with an RBI single, and two batters later, Primus hit a two-run single to give her team the lead for good. 

“It’s important to have that experience to fight from behind,” Cary said. “When you get to the playoffs, you have to be able to battle from behind. We did a  good job today.”

The Tigers had two men on base in the top of the seventh when the Bucks turned a double play to end the game.

Finley Evans hit a solo home run in the bottom of the fourth for the Bucks.

Quaempts went 3-for-4 with a double and an RBI, while Evans and Rylee Jackson each drove in two runs.

Maryn Broker pitched the first 3 2/3 innings for Pendleton, allowing seven runs on four hits with two strikeouts and five walks. Fisher came on in relief, giving one run on four hits while striking out three and walking none.

“Maryn did fine, she just walked a few too many,” Cary said. “She was wearing down a little. We haven’t lost any confidence in her. She hasn’t really thrown since her freshman year. We have asked her to fill a very tough role and she has done a nice job. Shaylor threw very well today.”

VALE 7, WESTON-MCEWEN 1 — Freshman Sophia Navarrete threw a three-hitter and struck out 18 to lead the No. 2 3A Vikings to a home win over the No. 2 2A TigerScots.

“We started out rough and dug a hole in the first inning,” W-M coach Jeff Griggs said. “Fortunately, we adjusted to the zone and kept it close the rest of the way. It was unfortunate that three starters weren’t available today, but those who stepped up into their sports made me proud.”

W-M (14-6) scored its lone run in the top of the first as Megan McLouth scored.

Vale (26-0) jumped out to a 5-1 lead after the first inning and held its lead throughout.

The Vikings would score one run in the second and another in the fourth to build on their lead.

Lily Langford had two hits, including a double, for the TigerScots, while Olivia Sargent had the other hit.

Bre Ward took the loss, allowing seven runs on three hits while striking out 10 and walking 13.

In the bottom of the second, with no outs, Vale’s Braelyn Keller was caught in a rundown trying to steal home as W-M catcher Langford connected with third baseman Brianna Romero. At the same time, Sadie Blake was caught stealing third. Grace Chamberlain then struck out to end the inning. “We’re convinced that undefeated Vale will go far into the state tournament, and we’re pleased to have had the opportunity to play them,” Griggs said.