East Linn’s only losses so far were in late March to No. 1-ranked Crosshill Christian 10-0, 11-0, 25-5, to open Special District 3 play, but bounced back to beat Gaston 7-6 on April 6 in a non-league match-up before re-entering league play.
In the top of the twinbill at home against East Linn Thursday, the Eagles had a 10-0 lead before the visitors scored in the top of the fifth, the hosts matching that to end the game on the mercy rule.
Blake Burns went the distance for East Linn, striking out five and walking two, while allowing six hits against 23 batters over the five innings.
Blake Burns, Chase Fenerty and Jesse Younger all led the team at the plate, each going 2-3, one of Younger’s a double. Younger and Owen King both finished with three RBIs.
The second game on Thursday featured an even greater offensive display by the Eagles, thanks to an 11-run second inning, which led to another mercy-rule finish in the 22-4 win.
Blake Burns and Asher Taylor combined on the mound for East Linn, who had five players go 2-3 at the plate. Casey May and Isaiah Blount both drove in four runs for the hosts, who got a double from Blount.
In the April 7 game at Mohawk, the Eagles started things off quickly with three runs in the top of the first, followed by 10 more in the third inning. The Mustangs answered with four in the bottom of the frame, but that was it for the hosts, as ELCA added two more in the top of the seventh to win 15-4.
Leading the Eagles at the plate were Fenerty, who went 2-5, including a home run, with five runs batted in; Nolan Hooper, who was 2-4 with three RBIs and scoring three himself; Taylor, who was 2-4, both doubles, and scored twice; and May, who was 2-4 with two RBIs.
Fenerty went 2.2 innings, giving up two hits and all four runs for Mohawk, and striking out five. Younger took over for a little over three innings, striking out six and allowing just two hits.
Up next, starting Tuesday, April 14, is a homestand against Santiam, followed by a road double-header hosted by the Wolverines.
