Game #3 Box:  PDF | HTML
Game #4 Box:  PDF | HTML
Weekend Series Stats:  PDF

MONROE, La. -- Eastern Illinois softball captured two wins in the final day of the Mardi Gras Classic, blanking both Indiana State and the host Louisiana-Monroe squad, 2-0 and 1-0, respectively.

The Sunday sweep improves the Panthers to an even 2-2 on the early season, while it was later annoucned that senior Amber May and freshman Reynae Hutchinson each earned a spot on the all-tournament team.

"Amber and Reynae really stepped it up," said head coach Kim Schuette.  "I like to see that.  Plus our coaching staff would like to make special mention of pitcher Stephanie Maday and infielder Ashleigh Westover for their play this weekend.

"The fact that we allowed just two earned runs all weekend, off 27 innings of work, is something our pitching staff should be very proud of, with Amber (May) leading the way," said Schuette.

In the first game Eastern downed I-70 rival Indiana State by scoring twice in the fifth frame. The first run came via a Sycamore miscue that helped bring home freshman pinch runner Jelly Brannick from third base. Fellow freshman Morgan Biel then hit an RBI single to right field to plate another pinch runner, junior Maria Sorrentino, from second.

Freshman EIU pitcher Reynae Hutchinson had a very nice first start in a Panther uniform against the Sycamores, as she helped hold ISU to just three hits, struck out seven batters and allowed zero walks in her first career shutout.

The Panthers then ended the weekend tournament on a high note, blanking the host ULM squad as senior Amber May pitched a near perfect game, coming one 'K' shy of tying her career high as she retired nine Warhawks at the plate. That included ending the host squad's possible comeback bid with a nice two-out, bases loaded strikeout at the top of the seventh. 

Eastern not only gave the ULM squad their first loss of the early season, but also limited the Warhawks to just four hits, while the Panthers exploded for a weekend-best eight shots.

The Panther score came about in the bottom of the first, as fellow senior Kiley Holtz nailed an RBI single to center field to bring home Hutchinson from second, after the Mattoon native had just drilled a double to right center.

The Panthers would then hold on for the win, helping to avenge a tough 2-1 loss to the same ULM squad on Saturday. Plus EIU had several other scoring opportunities against the Warhawks throughout the game.

Senior Kiley Holtz led all Panthers on the day, going a combined 4-for-5 at the plate, while also registering a double, an RBI, and zero walks.

The two-sport freshman from Mattoon, Reynae Hutchinson also had a strong showing at the plate on Saturday, going 4-for-6 and scoring the winning run against ULM.

Sophomore Melise Brown and freshman Jelly Brannick led the base running game, as each earned a steal on Saturday.

The Panthers will return home with two weeks available to prepare for their second tournament of the early season, traveling to Birmingham, Ala. for the two-day, multi-squad Magic City Classic being co-hosted by UAB and Samford.

The Panthers are currently scheduled to face Alabama State and UAB on Saturday, Feb. 26, prior to taking on Stephen F. Austin and battling Indiana State yet again on Sunday (Feb. 27).

All-Mardi Gras Classic Team
MVP - Janel Salanoa, ULM
Briana Love, ULM
Miyuki Navarrette, ULM
Tiffany Mills, ULM
Kylie Roos, Northwestern State
Cheyenne DelaGarza-Stills, Northwestern State
Alyssa Ford, Northwestern State
Amber May, EASTERN ILLINOIS
Reynae Hutchinson, EASTERN ILLINOIS
Lindsay Beisser, Indiana State
Alex Baumgart, Indiana State
Carmen Fowler, Southeast Missouri
Evan Sallis, Southeast Missouri

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