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Game #25 Box:  PDF
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Two-Game Series Stats (PDF)

CHARLESTON, Ill. -- Eastern Illinois softball earned their third consecutive two-game split as the Panthers clawed back for a walk-off 2-1 victory in the bottom of the ninth, but then lost a 1-0 home nightcap to visiting Butler on Tuesday (March 27).

With the split, the Panthers now sport an even 13-13 overall mark on the year.

Sophomore Stephanie Maday pitched a first-game gem as she retired 15 Bulldog batters via strikes to set a new career mark in the process.  Her complete game win also moved her overall mark to 9-6 on the season.

In a first-game pitching duel, neither squad touched home plate thru eight innings before Butler (6-20) took the lead in the top of the ninth off a Panther fielding miscue.

But the Panthers countered immediately with consecutive singles by Abby Wood and Carly Willert, followed by a bases-loaded walk earned by Reynae Hutchinson.

After a fielder's choice ground out to home, freshman pinch hitter Hannah Cole stepped up and drilled a walk-off two-RBI shot through the left side to plate both Westover and Hutchsin for the Eastern win.

Besides Cole, Wood and Willert, Bailey O'Dell and Ashleigh Westover also added a hit in the opening game victory.

The nighcap loss to the Bulldogs was also a pitcher's affair as Butler's Leah Bry notched 13 Ks of her own, yet EIU was still able to out-hit the visitors, five-to-four and stranded seven baserunners to five for BU.

Sophomore transfer Hannah Mennenga was tagged with the second game loss off six strikeouts, zero walks while fanning four Butler hits.  She falls to an even 4-4 on the year in the circle.

For the day, Ally Seplak led all players with a 2-for-6 plate performance, while Willert also had two hits in the split.  Willert joined Hayley Pieper and Maria Sorrentino with a stolen base on the day.

The Panthers return to the diamond on Thursday (March 29), traveling to SIU Edwardsville for the rubber contest of a three-game Ohio Valley Conference series.  First pitch is set for 4 p.m.  The two instate league rivals previously split a twinbill at Charleston last week.

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