USM Boxscore:  PDF | HTM
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Pre-Weekend Notes (PDF)
Live Stats | Arkansas (host)
Iowa State | Southern Miss
#19-Louisiana-Lafayette | Drake

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- A four-run inning by Southern Miss opened up a seventh-inning tie as the Eastern Illinois softball squad lost to the Golden Eagles, 6-2, to open day two of the Arkansas Razorback Invitational. That tough loss was followed by an 11-0 mercy-rule defeat at the hands of 19th-Ranked Louisiana-Lafayette.

The two straight losses move the Panthers to an even 6-6 on the season.

Versus Southern Miss, the Panther offense came via an RBI double and single from freshmen Melise Brown and Ally Seplak, respectively, while sophomore Ashley Anderton, senior Angie Danca, and junior Kiley Holtz each earned a hit apiece. Senior Denee' Menzione had a nice showing at the plate, going 1-for-1 on the day.

Down 2-0, Eastern got on the board in the bottom of the second off as an RBI walk by Brown plated AndI Morgan from third.

The Panthers then tied the game in their half of the fourth inning as sophomore Haylee Hanna came home via an RBI fielders choice from the bat of Seplak.

Unfortunately USM blew the game open by scoring four runs in the top of the seventh, including a three-run homer, to stun the Panthers in the closing moments. 

"We had several chances to win this morning versus Southern MIss," said EIU head coach Kim Schuette.  "We just couldn't get the bloop hits to fall in the third, fourth, fifth or sixth innings, yet they were able to get the hits they needed.  We just didn't quite get it done offensively today."

The big stat of the game was that Eastern left 12 runners on base, as compared to just six for Southern Miss.

Junior thrower Amber May was tabbed as the losing pitcher, throwing the last four innings and getting two strikeouts, yet allowing all four earned runs off five total hits.

In the second game of the invite versus the 19th-Ranked Ragin' Cajuns (12-6), the Panthers found out why Louisiana has been ranked among the softball elite for most of the season, as EIU earned just one hit and failed to score a run for the first time all year.

Freshman pinch-hitter Andi Morgan earned the lone single for EIU, off a bunt in the fifth frame.

May earned her second consecutive loss in the circle, earning three Ks and zero walks against 30 batters and allowed 15 hits as seven of the Louisiana runs were earned

The Panthers finish up play at the three-day, six-team invitational on Sunday, with an 11 am contest against Midwest rival Drake. 

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