Game #1 Box:  PDF | HTML
Game #2 Box:  PDF | HTML
Weekend Series Stats:  PDF

MONROE, La. -- Eastern Illinois softball finished Saturday play at the season-opening Mardi Gras Classic with the Panthers dropping 3-1 and 2-1 contests to Northwestern Louisiana and the host Louisiana-Monroe squad, respectively.

In both games the Panthers (0-2) actually struck first to enjoy early 1-0 leads.  The 3-1 loss to the Lady Demons came via a walk-off two-run homer in the bottom of the eighth, while ULM took advantage of an EIU error to collect two-runs off a fielder's choice to top EIU, 2-1.

“We are doing some good things, but just ended up on the wrong side of both games,” said coach Kim Schuette, now in her sixth season as skipper of the Panther softball program. 

"We made some nice plays but just didn't quite get a bounce like they did," Schuette said.  "We will win those types of games in a couple of weeks."

For the day, freshman Ashleigh Westover and sophomore Maria Sorrentino led all Panthers with a .500 batting average, as Westover went a combined 3-for-6 at the plate, which included a double. Sorrentino, meanwhile, finished 2-for-4 in the batters box.

Junior Ashley Anderton added two hits of her own, while also registering the lone RBI, which came about in the loss to Northwestern Louisiana. She plated freshman pinch runner Kaylie Pruett in the top of the fourth inning to allow the Panthers to draw first blood.

EIU's score against the tourney host in the second game came in dramatic fashion, as both newcomer Jelly Brannick, pinch-running for Anderton, and fellow freshman Reynae Hutchinson received the double steal sign.

They would proceed to shock the home crowd as Brannick slid safely home to give Eastern yet another early game, while Hutchinson also advanced a base.

Amber May picked up the first game loss as the senior pitcher tossed seven strikeouts and allowed no walks.

Meanwhile, newcomer Stephanie Maday had a fine first career start in the circle versus Louisiana-Monroe, registering a zero ERA off five Ks and two walks, while also limiting the Warhawks to a .130 batting mark.

“I was really pleased with Maday's debut performance,” said Schuette. “She struck out the first two batters of the game, plus both of their runs, which were chopped balls in the dirt, were unearned.”

The Panthers will look for their first win of the early season when they return to the field on Sunday afternoon. EIU is set to play consecutive afternoon games, first against long-time rival Indiana State at 11 am and then the squad will have a rematch with the host team.

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