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Tulsa Invite Info

TULSA, Okla. -- The Eastern Illinois softball squad had their five-game winning streak snapped on Sunday afternoon, losing a five-inning contest at Tulsa, 11-2, in the championship game of the Tulsa Embassy Suites Invitational.  

The loss drops the Panthers to 5-3 on the early season and gives them a 3-1 weekend series mark.

After nailing 24 hits in the previous three games of the invite, the Panthers were held to just three singles in the eight (plus)  run-rule defeat.

Senior Angie Danca, junior Ashley Anderton, and freshman Melise Brown accounted for the lone EIU offensive numbers, while Danca and Brown tallied the two Panther runs and Anderton and Brown the two RBIs.

In the second inning, Anderton's single to right centerfield scored senior Denee' Menzione from second, tying the score at one-apiece as Tulsa picked up the early lead in the bottom of the first.

Down 7-1 in the fifth, Danca singled to third base and then proceeded to steal second.  That's when newcomer Brown's singled thru the gut of the infield to plate Danca for the other Eastern run.

Unfortunately, the home team used a five-run second inning and a four-run fifth frame to pull away for the win, as the Hurricane squad earned an even 11 runs and 11 hits, while committing zero errors.

Junior thrower Amber May picked up the loss in the circle, earning four Ks and two walks, but allowing eight of the runs and hits.  Freshman Natalie Wunderlich came in for relief in the last inning.

Next weekend, the Panthers return to the diamond for their final early-season tournament action, playing five games in the Arkansas Invitational in Fayetteville.

… for more info contact Bart Rettberg, Asst. SID