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Tournament Series Stats (PDF)

MARTIN, Tenn. -- Behind home runs from Denee' Menzione and Melise Brown, the Eastern Illinois softball squad opened up day two OVC Tournament action by defeating the #3-Seed Morehead State squad, 9-4, extending the season and ending the year for the Eagles, who were eliminated from the tourney.

The Panther win moved EIU to 24-26 on the year, setting up their next game against #6-Seed Tennessee Tech in the third game of the afternoon, set to begin at approximately 6:30 or 7 pm, following the game between #1-Seed and host UT Martin and #2-Seed Jacksonville State in the winners bracket.

Menzione led the Panther offense via a 3-for-4 day at the plate, which included knocking in two doubles and a home run.  The dinger adds to her EIU best homer mark as she now has 27 for her career and eighth for the season.

Brown knocked out her second career homer as EIU jumped out to an 8-0 lead, where it looked like the Panthers would earn their second mercy-rule win of the year.  However, MSU would battle back, but Eastern would hold on for the win, snapping a nine-game losing streak to the Eagles in the process.

 Kiley Holtz finished with a perfect 3-for-3 plate performance, which included her fifth double of the year. Ashley Anderton added two hits as the Panthers out-slugged the Eagles, 11-to-8. 

Angie Danca and Melinda Jackson also contributed a hit in the crucial OVC tourney victory. Both squads were almost even for base runners left on base as EIU stranded eight while MSU had seven potential scorers.

Amber May continued her amazing performance at the tourney, throwing in her third straight game, striking out seven and walking just two, as MSU earned four runs off eight hits. The junior pitcher's record now improves to 17-14 on the season.

In the top of the first, EIU drew first blood as senior Denee' Menzione hammered a two-out bomb to left field, which moves her EIU record homer total to 27 all-time and eighth on the year.

Junior ace thrower Amber May would then get things going in the circle, striking out two Eagle batters behind six straight strikes, as well as forcing a flyout off a first pitch.

In the top of the second, Melinda Jackson continued her late-season hitting streak with a single up the middle, followed by a walk to Hailee Hanna. Then with two outs, outfielder Melise Brown connected for her second home run of the year, upping the Panther lead to 4-0.

After the Panthers retired three more MSU batters in order, Menzione would rope a double over the head of the right fielder, forcing the MSU coach to change pitchers. Junior Kiley Holtz then proceeded to walk. Designated player Ashley Anderton would load the bases with zero outs off a single bloop to right.

After a strikeout, Jackson would walk-in Menzione and then Hanna would earn an RBI fielders choice to the MSU shortstop, who couldn't get the throw to home in time as pinch-runner Andi Morgan slide home. EIU would add a third run in the inning as the Eagle pitcher grazed Brown at the plate allowing another pinch-runner Abby Wood to come home. That would give the Panthers an early 7-0 lead.

The Eagles would counter in their half of the third with a walk-up double by the catcher, but May would strikeout the next batter. MSU would get two on with one out via a hit-by-pitch and then advance them a base off a ground out to Nelson at second. However, a pop-up to Jackson at first would strand two Eagle base runners.

Menzione would continue her hot hitting, connecting for her second double of the day, this time over the head of the MSU centerfielder, just clipping the top of the fence. Holtz would then drop a soft hit to left field giving EIU runners at first and third with no outs. Anderton would connect for a single up the middle to plate Menzione, as EIU now lead 8-0. MSU would finally get the first out of the inning, thanks to a sac bunt by senior Angie Danca, moving the Holtz and Anderton to third and second base, respectively.

The Eagles would get out of the inning, however off consecutive Ks and then follow that up by plating two runners in the bottom of the fourth with no outs. MSU would eventually get on the scoreboard off a fielder's choice bringing home the runner from third, pulling them to within 8-1 heading into the fifth inning.

EIU would be retired in order in the fifth and MSU would get things going at the plate, first off a two-out RBI single to right and an RBI single up the middle. The Eagles would eventually have runners on second and third with two outs, as Brown had a scare, twisting her ankle somewhat as she attempted to run up on a hard-hit double to short left field. EIU would finally get out of the tough inning but not before the Eagles could cut the Panther lead to 8-4, scoring three runs off four total hits, yet the Panthers did end up stranding two potential scorers.

In the top of the sixth, Eastern would counter with a run of their as Danca's bloop down the right field line would bring out home Holtz, who also hit a shot down the right field line, but this time a hard-hit double.

The Eagles would threaten once again in the bottom of the sixth, earning a walk-up single to center, but EIU would get out of the threat thanks to good outfield defense by Danca and Brown, as well as another strikeout courtesy of May.

As the designated home squad for the game, Morehead would have final chance in the bottom of the seventh, and they would get a runner at second off a walk, but May would strikeout two batters to secure the Panther victory.

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