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

INDIANAPOLIS -- The Eastern Illinois softball squad dropped two games at Butler on Thursday, as the Bulldogs won 5-2 and 4-0.  The Panthers fall to 17-16 on the season after going 2-2 in non-conference mid-week play.

With game number one tied at two-all in the seventh, the Butler third basemen connected on a walk-off three-run bomb to ruin the Panthers' upset bid of the Horizon League squad, as the Bulldogs won 5-2.

The home squad then plated four funs in the nightcap, including a two-RBI homer, to improve to 29-8 on the season.

Five different Panthers earned a hit in the two-game series, with both junior Melinda Jackson and senior Denee' Menzione going 1-for-5 on the day, with Jackson nabbing an RBI double.  Jackson's two-bagger was the third of the season for the first baseman.

Senior Megan Nelson also added a single as well, while sophomore Jen Saucier nailed the other RBI hit and freshman Ally Seplak finished with the last Panther hit in the doubleheader.

Both Menzione and fellow classmate Angie Danca each registered a base theft as well, as EIU tied the Bulldogs with two stolen bases each.

Both regional foes also tied with 10 players left on base in the twinbill.

In the circle, junior Amber May fell to 10-10 with the game one loss, as she pitched the entire game, registering six strikeouts and walking just two Bulldog batters as she fanned five hits.

Freshman Hailie Ray picked up the loss in the second game, off 3.1 innings of work where she recorded the two lone strikeouts in the contest, but gave up seven hits and two of four earned runs.  Fellow newcomer Natalie Wunderlich came in in relief, throwing 2.2 innings.  The two freshman finished the game with zero walks.

After previously taking two Tuesday afternoon games at Saint Louis, Eastern will now return home for a crucial three-game Ohio Valley Conference weekend series versus visiting Eastern Kentucky.  A 1 pm doubleheader is set for Saturday, followed by a noon single game on Sunday afternoon.

… for more info, contact Bart Rettberg