Game #1 Box:  PDF | HTM
Game #2 Box:  PDF | HTM
2-Game Series Stats:  PDF

JACKSONVILLE, Ala. -- Senior Denee' Menzione's solo bomb helped lead Eastern Illinois softball to a stunning sweep of OVC favorite Jacksonville State, 3-1 and 6-4, on Saturday afternoon in Jacksonville, Ala., as the outfielder has now tied the all-time EIU home run record.

Her 23rd career homer, coming in the seventh inning of game one, ties former EIU standout Sandyn Short's mark, as her shot went the full distance by sailing over the head of the JSU centerfielder. 

The two wins were the perfect way for the Panthers to snap a recent losing streak as EIU improved to 8-11 on the year and 2-0 in early league play.

Today's victories mark the first time that an Eastern squad have won consecutive games over the Gamecocks, who advanced to the NCAA Super-Regional last season.  Meeting for the 23rd/24th time, the sweep also helped end an EIU six-game losing streak to Jax State (9-10/0-2 OVC), plus improved EIU coach Kim Schuette's all-time record to 5-11 against the Gamecocks.

The Panthers scored a run in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings en route to the game one win. Besides her record-making homer, Menzione, who went a team-best 3-for-6 on the day, also added an RBI single in the fifth, as she plated freshman pinch-runner Andi Morgan.

Eastern's run in the sixth frame came via a bunt single by fellow senior Megan Nelson, which allowed another freshman pinch-runner, Abby Wood, to come home, as JSU assisted EIU by committing one of their three errors on the day.

Junior thrower Amber May pitched an impressive complete game one win, retiring seven batters at the plate, including striking out the potential game-winning hitter in the bottom of the seventh to help the Panthers secure the win. She also helped Eastern get out of a one-out bases-loaded situation by JSU in the bottom of the sixth. 

"Amber threw a good game," said Schuette.  "Plus we had some good aggressive pinch runners, with Wood and Morgan, and Denee's home run was an important insurance run."

In the second game, the Panthers ruined JSU pitcher Phillips' potential no-hitter by exploding for six-runs in the top of the sixth inning, as Eastern held on to withstand a very late JSU run that fell way short.

Menzione's sixth-inning single was followed by classmate Angie Danca's hit.  Junior Melinda Jackson then picked up one of her two walks on the day to load the bases with one out, forcing a pitching change by JSU.  

That's when junior third baseman Kiley Holtz ripped her biggest hit of the day, as her two RBI single to center field broke a scoreless game wide open as Menzione and Danca both touched home.  Sophomore catcher Hailee Hanna would continue the Panther hit streak by also sending a shot to center field to plate Jackson.

Freshman Melise Brown would earn a spot at first base and then advance to second via a fielder's choice and error by the JSU catcher, scoring Morgan, who pinch-ran for Holtz.  Nelson would score pinch-runner Wood, in for Hanna, thanks to another Gamecock miscue.  That required JSU to switch back to their starting pitcher in an attempt to stop the Panther momentum.

But the pitching change didn't work for JSU as sophomore outfielder Jen Saucier stepped up and earned a hit to first base, scoring Brown.  The Gamecocks were finally able to get out of the inning, however, as they fielded their second double-play of the day.

JSU had their chance in their half of the sixth, as four consecutive one-out hits necessitated an EIU pitching change as coach Schuette brought in May to relieve Wunderlich.  May would get the second out but JSU would score off a sacrifice fly and follow that run by taking advantage of a rare Panther error to pull to within two runs of Eastern.  May then earned her lone strikeout of the game to retire the side.

"Holtz had a big two RBI hit that really got us going and team fired up," Schuette continued.  "These were two good team wins with a lot of contributors."

Freshman Natalie Wunderlich picked up the hard-fought win, off 5.1 innings of work where she struck out two and did not allow a JSU hitter to walk.  Junior Amber May came in for the final inning and did not allow a Gamecock hit.

"Natalie (Wunderlich) threw a great game for us and I'm happy for her," said Schuette.  "We made some things happen today against a good team and pulled it out.  JSU is tough and never quits."

Quick look at the two-game series stats, the Panthers led JSU in RBI (seven-to-three), walks (also seven-to-three), and stolen bases (three-to-two).  Danca, Morgan and Wood each secured a base theft for Eastern.  The Panthers held potential JSU scorers at bay thanks to a left-on-base lead of eight to 14, in EIU's advantage.

The final game of the weekend series is set to take place tomorrow, with first pitch scheduled for 1 pm at JSU's University Field, however weather predictions are calling for rain in the Jacksonville, Alabama region.

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