OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — The Eastern Oregon University softball team put together a late comeback in its NAIA opening-round matchup agains Texas A&M Texarkana on Monday, May 16, but the Mountaineers ultimately lost 5-3.

The Eagles took a 2-0 lead in the third inning and extended the advantage to 5-0 after the top of the sixth, putting the Mountaineers’ backs against the wall.

In the bottom of the sixth, junior Olivia Zufelt hit a groundout to second base that scored Hannah Tyree to get the first run on the board for Eastern.

Later in the bottom of the seventh with the game on the line, the Mountaineers made one last push to cut the deficit. Tyree reached on a fielder’s choice with two outs, to which Caitlin Crist advanced to third and scored on the throw.

Taylor Dow singled to left field later in the inning, scoring Madison Stateler to cut the lead to 5-3. In the final at-bat of the game, Grace Gaither flew out to center field to end Eastern’s late comeback attempt.

Anna Westberry was the winning pitcher for the Eagles, throwing 6.1 innings and allowing three earned runs off seven hits. Amanda Smith received the loss, allowing five runs off six hits. Smith struck out four opposing batters.

Up next, Eastern will face an elimination matchup against four-seed William Woods University on May 17. The first pitch is slated for 11 a.m.