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CHARLESTON, Ill. -- Eastern Illinois softball scratched past visiting Eastern Kentucky in the bottom of the ninth inning on Sunday, as sophomore Jen Saucier recorded a walk-off bases loaded RBI walk to give the Panthers the crucial 2-1 Ohio Valley Conference victory.

The big win, in front of a raucous crowd on a picture-perfect day, gave EIU the 2-1 series advantage against the league foe this past weekend.

"This was a great team win for Eastern," said Panther head coach Kim Schuette.  "The crowd was in it, the dugout was in it, and the players took the rein and got it done from the 8th inning on."

Junior thrower Amber May had a good day in the circle, as she struck out ten EKU batters, which ties her personal best for the second time this season, and third overall, as she upped her record to 12-10. 

"Amber threw an outstanding game and really did well with her composure during a few key moments. She did her job and along with Megan (Nelson) led that defense out there."

EKU's starting pitcher Kristin Perry, who pitched a complete second game win on Saturday afternoon, suddenly found herself in loads of trouble in the bottom of the ninth inning. The freshman thrower consecutively walked both EIU's Angie Danca and Melinda Jackson to load the bases as Panther freshman Andi Morgan came in as pinch-runner following a no out single by Kiley Holtz.

Long-time EKU head coach Jane Worthington would then bring in reliever Stacye Toups to replace Perry in the circle. However, the change had no affect on EIU as Saucier took three straight balls and a strike before allowing Morgan to idly come home for the game-winning run via the fourth ball.

The game-winning walk was the sixth of the day for the Colonels, who fell to 12-27 overall and 6-7 in league action. 

"People are really starting to know their roles and look for anyway to help the team (on the field and outside the lines) which is what you want to happen in April," said Schuette.  "You've 'gotta' find ways to win the close ones and the team did that today. They gutted it out in front of some great fans."

Shortstop Megan Nelson got on base in the first inning via her single up the middle, but was subsequently thrown out while attempting to steal second.

Eastern Kentucky would then load the bases in their half of the second frame, via a single, a batter hit by pitch and a walk. However, the Panther defense would assist May in ending the inning with no damage.

The Colonels would once again strand a couple of runners in the top of the third. Outfielder Melise Brown made a key defensive stop, as she dove to make a super catch in shallow leftfield. EKU would plate two runners off a hit and an untimely infield error by the Panthers, but a strikeout by May would end that threat yet again.

The Panthers would earn their first run in the third. Abby Wood's single to right center field was followed by Brown's attempted sacrifice bunt, however, the freshman used her speed to beat-out the throw from third base. Wood would be thrown out via a fielder's choice off the bat of Nelson. However, a key walk of Denee' Menzione by the EKU starter would suddenly load the bases. With two out, Holtz stepped up and nailed a sacrifice RBI fly ball to left field, bringing home Brown from third.

EIU would maintain their one run lead all the way to the top of the seventh. EKU got a runner on base thanks to an untimely walk-up hit by pitch from May. The Colonels would move the runner to second off the routine sacrifice bunt. The Panthers would get the second out and needed just one more to complete the 1-0 win, but unfortunately the softball gods tricked EIU as the Colonels tied the game off a rare, and very untimely, dropped fly ball by the Panther outfield.

The Colonels would eventually load the bases off consecutive hits and threaten to take the lead, but May would once again pull through and keep the game tied thanks to one of her ten strikeouts on the day. The one-all tie would continue into extra innings, although EKU would strand three more of their 12 total runners in the game.

That's when Holtz got things rolling in the bottom of the ninth and led to the bases-loaded situation and walk-off bases-on-balls victory.

May threw the complete game win, adding just one walk to her stat line in addition to her 10 strikeouts and allowed no earned runs. 

"Some people made some big adjustments this weekend and those got us going," Schuette said.  "Those adjustments are really going to help us this week and keep us going."

The Panthers will now prepare for a single mid-week league battle with arch-rival Southeast Missouri this coming Wednesday afternoon, with first pitch set for 3 pm. EIU has previously taken two games off the Redhawks, winning in Cape Girardeau, 3-0 and 10-2, as six different players combined for seven home runs in the twinbill sweep.

… for more info, contact Bart Rettberg