BELLEVUE, Wash. – Two years ago, Maggie Buckholz had a three-home run, nine RBI day at Bellevue High School against Northwest University. The Oregon Tech senior nearly matched the feat, going 5-for-6 with two doubles, three homers and eight RBI, helping the Lady Owls complete a series sweep of the Eagles.
 
Both Kacie Schmidt and Mckenzie Staub tossed shutouts, as the No. 1 ranked team in the NAIA earned 9-0 and 6-0 victories – running their win streak to 12 games.
 
"What a great pitching performance by our two aces," said OIT head coach Greg Stewart. "Jayce Seavert called two great games and our defense was solid. Maggie continued her tear at the plate and had big hit after big hit."
 
The Lady Owls (24-5, 15-1 CCC) mustered just four hits in Game 1 – but made the most of their chances. Tech plated five first inning runs, as Zoe Allen walked, stole second and scored on a Seavert fielders' choice. Buckholz followed with a 2-run double and scored on a double steal.
 
OIT put the game away in the fourth, loading the bases with one out – with Buckholz clearing the bases with her second grand slam in as many weekends.
 
Schmidt did the rest, holding the Eagles (15-16, 7-11) to three hits and striking out five – earning her 12th win of the year.
 
Staub dominated Game 2, holding a potent NU attack to two hits, striking out four, to pick up her 11th win.
 
Buckholz started the scoring in the second, lining a solo home run, with Kaila Mick adding an RBI single in the third. Tech extended the lead to 5-0 in the fourth, as Nita Cook executed a perfect squeeze bunt and both Allen and Mick roping back-to-back RBI singles.  Buckholz capped the scoring with her second homer of the game, a fifth inning solo shot.
 
Mick was 2-for-4 in the win, with Buckholz going 3-for-3 – finishing the weekend with 11 RBI.
 
OIT returns home Wednesday afternoon, hosting rival and fifth-ranked Southern Oregon in an NAIA Top-5 match-up at 2 p.m.