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

CHARLESTON, Ill. -- Junior thrower Amber May's career tying 10 strikeouts in game one and freshman Abby Wood's career-first two-run bomb in game two helped the Eastern Illinois softball squad sweep visiting Tennessee Tech on Saturday afternoon, 1-0 and 4-2.

The Panthers have now won six straight and improve to 12-11 on the year and a perfect 4-0 in Ohio Valley Conference action.  The Golden Eagles fell to 12-17 and 2-2.

May held the power hitting Tech squad to just two hits in the 1-0 game one shut, as her 10 strikeouts ties her previous high that she notched last season versus Kennesaw State. She only walked three hitters and stranded five runners in her complete game win.

She would also earn the win in the nightcap as the Panthers took the lead for good in the bottom half of the sixth inning. That win evens the right hander's season mark to 7-7 on the year.

Game one started as pitching dual between May and TTU's Holly Thomas, but May ultimately topped the Tech sophomore and the Panthers got a run to score in the bottom of the sixth as junior Kiley Holtz scampered from third base off a fielders choice hit from sophomore Hailee Hanna, earning a perfect slide under the attempted tag by TTU's catcher.

In the second game, Abby Wood nailed a two-run homer, scoring sophomore outfielder Jen Saucier at first base. The bomb was the freshman's first homer in her early Panther career.

After TTU scored a run in the third, they added to their point total by enjoying a home run of their own as Kaleigh Gates nailed a solo homer to tie the game at two-apiece. Ironically, Wood's bomb actually sailed over the Tech center field's head.

But the Panthers retook the lead in their sixth frame, taking advantage of two TTU miscues. With bases loaded, TTU's catcher attempted to pick off Brown at third but her throw got past the third baseman allowing Brown to touch home safely. EIU added another run, this time off a wild pitch to plate Nelson.

In game one, Holtz led all hitters with a 2-for-3 performance, while four other Panthers added to the total hit count of six in that game, as compared to just two for Tech.

For the second game, both Saucier and freshman Melise Brown earned 2-for-3 performances at the plate, including a key no-out double by Brown in the sixth inning to that led off the Panther attack.

A quick look at the two-game series and both Brown and Holtz hit .600 off identical 3-for-5 performances. Three more Panthers, Danca, Nelson and Saucier, had two hits off of six at-bats.

Eastern won both games despite stranding 13 total runners as compared to 10 for the visiting Eagles, but scored when necessary to earn the hard-fought win.  Danca earned the lone stolen base for EIU.

May finished with an impressive 0.62 ERA, allowing just five hits, one run and retiring 14 total batters off strikes.

Both EIU and TTU will take the field for the final game of the weekend series tomorrow, as first pitch is set for noon, although inclement weather is currently in the forecast.

… for more info, contact Bart Rettberg