Photo Gallery (Sandy King)
Game 1 Box:  PDF | HTM
Game 2 Box:  PDF | HTM

CHARLESTON, Ill. -- A grand slam by Kiley Holtz, and a one-hit shutout from ace thrower Amber May, helped the Eastern Illinois softball squad earn a weekend split with visiting Austin Peay.  EIU blanked the Lady Govs, 7-0, in the first game, but dropped a 5-3 eight inning nightcap, which took nearly two days to complete.

The second game on Saturday was suspended in the top of the eighth, and was completed on Sunday afternoon after a couple of lengthy rain deails.  With a lull in the rain, the EIU ground crew and Panther coaching staff did an incredible job of getting Williams Field in playing condition.

Following the completion of that game, the Sunday rubber game of the weekend series was called due to some more rainy weather.

With the split, EIU now stands at 21-23 and 11-8 in the Ohio Valley Conference, while the visiting Austin Peay squad improve to 15-31 and 7-12.

The final four outs of game two came rather quickly as May's first pitch to the APSU batter resulted in a quick strikeout.  Unfortunately, the Panthers were unable to extend the game as they were retired in order in the eight-inning loss.

The first game got off to an earlier start time due to the forthcoming inclement weather in the area as Holtz went 2-for-3, in addition to her grand slam, which was the first of the season by a Panther, she also added a two-run single to finish with a six RBI performance at the plate.

EIU jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first as senior Denee' Menzione's double to left center brought home Melise Brown from second base.  That's when Holtz connected for her two-run hit, bringing home Menzione and fellow senior Megan Nelson.  The Panthers had a chance to add some more runs, but the APSU pitcher got out of the inning via a strikeout to strand two Eastern runners.

Then in the second frame, consecutive singles by freshmen Ally Seplak and Brown was followed by an APSU miscue that helped Nelson get on base.  That's when Holtz let it fly with a huge bomb to left center field to up the EIU lead to 7-0.

That was all the offense that EIU would need as the Lady Gov pitching staff pretty much shut down the Panthers the rest of the way

May pitched an outstanding first game, as she allowed just one hit, which ironically was APSU's first batter, who connected on May's very first pitch to earn the lone single by the Lady Govs.  May struck out two and had zero walks as Peay was unable to plate another runner the rest of the way.

The second game was a wild one, as EIU took the lead in the bottom of the third as Menzione got to first off an APSU error, which would bring home Morgan from third.  APSU would tie it at the top of the fifth as EIU committed their own error to bring home a Lady Gov win.

The Panthers countered in their half of the fifth as Holtz added another RBI single, plating Nelson.  However, a solo homer by APSU would tie it once again at 2-0 in the sixth.

But Eastern would retake the lead as Wood took advantage of a wild pitch to scamper home from third.  However, the visitors would tie it yet again in their half of the seventh off a key one-run double to deep center field.

In extra innings, the Lady Govs scratched past the Panthers via a two-run homer before the game was suspended on Saturday evening.

May would be tabbed with the second game loss and is now 14-13 on the year.  She had five strikeouts and just one walk on the weekend, allowing just four earned runs and scattering eight hits.

For the weekend, both Seplak and Nelson led with a .500 batting average, via a 3-for-6 and 2-for-4 weekend, respectively.  Holtz faltered a bit in the second game to finish 3-for-7, but did register an incredible seven RBI and Brown registered two hits as well.  Meanwhile, Brown, Danca and Menzione each stole a base.

Team-wise, EIU out-hit APSU (.264 to .226) and also led in hits (14 to 12), runs (10 to five), stolen bases (three to one) and ERA (1.87 to 3.00).

Eastern will have some time to prepare for the next weekend series, as they will travel to Nashville to face Tennessee State with a double header set for Saturday and a single game on Sunday.

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