Game #1 Box:  PDF | HTM
Game #2 Box:  PDF | HTM

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. -- Playing in their first game in over two weeks, the Eastern Illinois softball squad dropped a double-header at Western Kentucky on Tuesday evening. The 4-7 and 1-6 losses move the Panthers to 6-9 on the season.

Senior Denee' Menzione led all Panthers in the two-game series, going 3-for-6, which included an RBI double and solo bomb to move move her career homer total to 21 all-time.

Sophomore Hailee Hanna also made the most of her at-bats, smashing a two-run homer in the first game of the twin bill. Senior Megan Nelson earned two hits of her own, followed by singles by fellow senior Angie Danca and sophomore Ashley Anderton.

Freshman Melise Brown added to her stolen base numbers with a steal in the first game to now lead all Panthers with five thefts on the year.

Junior Amber May (3-6) and newcomer Natalie Wunderlich (2-2) picked up the two losses in the circle for EIU, with May tallying four strikeouts and five walks, while Wunderlich allowed just one base on balls.

Down 2-0 early in game one, the Panthers scored two runs in the top half of the fifth frame off Hanna's two-run homer to left centerfield that plated Nelson from second to tie the game. After WKU retook the lead in their half of the inning, EIU led once again as Menzione's sixth-inning double brought home junior Melinda Jackson from second and then sophomore Jen Saucier, pinch-running for Menzione, touched home plate as Brown got on first via an error by the WKU catcher.

Unfortunately, the Hilltoppers captured the first game with a four-run sixth inning.

In the nightcap, EIU had to battle back from a 5-0 deficit as Menzione opened the fifth inning by nailing a walk-up homer to left, but WKU would add one more run to earn the two-game sweep.

For the series, Eastern left seven runners on base, while the Panther bullpen forced the Hilltoppers to strand 19 total base runners and allowed zero WKU homeruns. Unfortunately, WKU did out-hit EIU .377 to .160 via a 20-8 total hit advantage, which included nine extra-base hits. The home squad also won the stolen base contest, earning ten to just one for the Panthers.

The Panthers will look to snap a season-long six-game losing streak on Thursday, traveling to Chattanooga for a 3 pm doubleheader.

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