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ATLANTA -- The Eastern Illinois softball squad dropped a tough 4-1 contest at the Georgia State Invitational on Saturday afternoon, as the host Panthers outlasted the EIU squad.

The loss moved Eastern to 0-2 on the early season after earlier losing an eight-inning game to East Tennessee State, 2-1, earlier in the day.

Sophomore designated player Ashley Anderton had another fine afternoon at the plate, going 2-for-3, which included collecting her second consecutive double-bagger in as many games.  EIU newcomer Melise Brown finished 2-of-4 at the lead-off spot, as the Panthers actually ended up out-hitting the host GSU team, who were the designated away squad on their own home field.

However, Georgia State (3-0) took advantage of their hits, as they got on the board in the top of the fourth following a no-out triple that led to a sacrifice fly score.  The GSU Panthers then added two more runs in the top of the sixth with a two-out, two-run homer by the GSU catcher.

In the seventh, GSU scored an insurance run via a double, followed by a sac bunt and then yet another two-bagger.  The Eastern squad, however, finally got on the scoreboard in their final half of the inning, as Anderton nailed her own double.  She was replaced by sophomore pinch-runner Jen Saucier, who advanced to third as senior Angie Danca grounded out.

Freshman left fielder Melise Brown then plated Saucier with a two-out single thru the gap to right field.  Unfortunately EIU was unable to continue the momentum, dropping to 0-2 with the loss.

Other EIU players who earned a hit in the game included all three seniors, Angie Danca, Denee' Menzione and Megan Nelson.

Freshman thrower Natalie Wunderlich got her first start in a Panther uniform, finishing with just over six innings of work where she tallied a strikeout and three walks, while fanning four GSU hits, but allowing all four of the host team's runs to be earned.  Junior Amber May would eventually come on in relieve in the middle of the sixth inning.

Team-wise, the EIU Panthers out-hit the GSU cats, seven to six, yet committed the lone error in the game while stranding seven runners as compared to just five for GSU.

Eastern returns to invitational action Sunday morning, facing the Owls of Temple at 9 am, then will most likely play in the third-place game later in the afternoon.

… for more info, contact Bart Rettberg, Asst. SID