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Tulsa Invite Info

TULSA, Okla. -- Fresh off a 6-1 win over South Dakota State this morning, EIU softball earned their second straight win on Saturday, defeating Texas State, 4-1, in the nightcap of the Tulsa Invitational. The day one sweep moves the Panthers to 4-2 overall, with two more games on tap for Sunday afternoon.

“It's always nice to play good competition,” said head coach Kim Schuette. “We had our bats going in the first game versus South Dakota State and the second game was much closer than the score indicated.”

Leading all Panthers was senior centerfielder Angie Danca via her 2-for-3 plate performance, which included a double-bagger that could have easily been her first career home run, but instead the ball hit the top of the fence in right center and failed to go over the barrier.

Fellow senior outfielder Denee' Menzione made the most of her time in the batters box in the second inning as she registered a two-RBI double of her own which ultimately accounted for the game winner.

In the top of the second, a double followed by an EIU miscue helped Texas State take an early 1-0 lead, but the Panthers countered with three runs in their half of the inning to take the lead and eventually the game.

With one out, junior third baseman Kiley Holtz got on via one of two TSU errors, followed by Danca earning a bunt single, placing both upper classman on base. After freshman Andi Morgan pinch-ran for Holtz, Menzione drilled her big double, scoring both Morgan and Danca. Menzione would advance to third via a wild pitch and would then come home off a sacrifice fly from freshman catcher Abby Wood.

Eastern would get one more insurance run in the next frame as freshman leftfielder Melise Brown, and junior first baseman Melinda Jackson, reached base via a hit and an error, respectively. They then proceeded to steal their respective next base at the same time, to help set up sophomore designated player Ashley Anderton's ground-out RBI, which plated Brown.

For the remainder of the game, TSU would threaten several times, but ended up stranding four base runners, as the Panthers turned two double-plays, as sophomore Maria Sorrentino and Jackson teamed up to double-up TSU in both the fourth and seventh frames.

“Several things went our way tonight,” said Schuette. “We only had four hits but we took advantage of them. Angie Danca nearly cleared the fence for a homerun, as her big hit just barely stayed inside the park after bouncing off the top of the fence. Abby Wood's line drive sac fly to center helped us get on the board as well. Our defense made two key plays, as Maria Sorrentino did a good job at second by turning two double-plays. Plus I was really pleased with our base running.”

Freshman pitcher Natalie Wunderlich (1-1) earned her first win in a Panther uniform, as she threw a complete game, allowing just four hits and no earned runs. The surprising stat line for her, however, was that she was able to accomplish the win with zero Ks, while walking two and scattering four hits.”
 
“Natalie threw a nice game tonight," Schuette said.  "TSU had very aggressive swingers, yet she was able to pick up her first collegiate win on a cold night.  So it was a good day for her.”

The Panthers will finish up invitational action on Sunday, facing UMKC at noon, followed by the final game of the weekend against the host Tulsa Hurricane squad at 2 pm. Thus far, only the Panthers and Tulsa teams have gone undefeated on the weekend.

… for more info contact Bart Rettberg, Asst. SID