LA GRANDE — The Eastern Oregon baseball team got off to a strong start in its four-game series with the University of British Columbia, taking both games of Saturday’s doubleheader 3-2 and 11-6 at Optimist Field.

Both teams scored a single run in the fifth inning of the opener, but after the Thunderbirds scored a run in the top of the eight the Mountaineers responded with two in the bottom half to get the win. Rogelio Gonzales tied the game at 2-2 when he scored on a while pitch and Tommy Whiles had the game-winning single to score Brandon Teddy.

A six-run sixth inning propelled EOU to victory in the second game. Youhyeon Choi, Joey Freitas and Mario Landeros all hit home runs in the sixth inning. Choi hit a two-run shot, Freitas drove in three and Landeros connected on a solo homer. Freitas had four hits and five RBIs.

British Columbia would get its revenge on Sunday winning both games, 14-10 and 18-8.

The Thunderbirds had an eight-run sixth to cement the win in the first game. Parker Cumberland had three hits, including a double, and drove in two for EOU and Chase Nett added three hits.

The Thunderbirds had 18 runs on 18 hits in the second game. Cumberland had a grand slam for EOU in the second inning.

The Mountaineers, 11-23 on the season and 2-10 in conference, will travel to Walla Walla on Tuesday for their matchup with Whitman College at 6 p.m.