Boxscore:  PDF | HTM
3-Game Series Stats:  PDF

MOREHEAD, Ky. -- Eastern Illinois softball lost the third straight game of a weekend series at Morehead State on Saturday, as the Panthers fell to 15-14 on the season and 7-3 in Ohio Valley Conference play following the 7-3 loss.

The Panther bats, who were held in check in the Friday twin bill losses, actually seemed to return on Saturday, as sophomore Hailee Hanna connected on a two-RBI home run and then added a double to finish 2-for-3 at the plate. Senior Denee' Menzione added her own two-bagger.

Fellow senior Angie Danca, junior Kiley Holtz and freshman Abby Wood each added a single as Eastern out-hit the home squad 6-to-4.

Six untimely errors, the highest of the season, ultimately cost the Panthers as the Eagles (17-13/8-2) took advantage of two miscues and eventually scored six runs in bottom of the first frame after EIU had taken a 3-0 lead. MSU would add another run in the fourth for the final score.

“We came out today on the attack offensively,” said fifth year head coach Kim Schuette. “We looked great in the first few innings and made the necessary changes from yesterday, but we handed it to them in the first inning -- one hit and six runs is hard to swallow.”

The three game loss at MSU snapped a season-high nine-game winning streak by the Panther squad, as EIU fell from a first place tie, along side UT Martin, in the OVC. The sweep by Morehead State was the ninth straight win by the Eagle squad over the Panthers, as EIU lost to MSU four times last season.

“The frustrating thing is we were still ok down just 4-3, but we made one more error with two outs on a routine bunt that scored two more,” said Schuette. “4-3 is much different than 6-3. Unfortunately we stunk it up today on defense while walking and hitting batters in the first inning. Way too many free ones for MSU. From there on, we started pressing until the sixth when we got things going again.”

Junior thrower Amber May pitched the complete game loss, striking out four while walking five MSU batters. The loss, her second straight on the weekend, drops her overall mark to an even 9-9 on the year.

“I was proud of the way these kids listened to the game plan and made big changes from yesterday,” Schuette continued. “The seniors stepped it up and led us from the beginning. We flubbed it up today and handed them our hard work and we know that. It just wasn't our day but we will be fine.”

Eastern returns to action with two road mid-week non-conference doubleheaders, first at Saint Louis on Tuesday and then at Butler on Thursday.




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