Box Score

CHARLESTON, Ill. -- Eastern Illinois dropped a tough 10-2 road contest at instate rival Southern Illinois on Thursday, as the Panthers fell to 23-18 overall.

Senior Hailee Hanna led EIU with a perfect 2-for-2 day at the plate, while classmate Maria Sorrentino and sophomore Ashleigh Westover both went 1-for-2 as well.

Westover registered the lone EIU RBI, while sophomore Carly Willert nailed her ninth double of the season.

The Panthers actually enjoyed an early 1-0 lead as Sorrentino reached base off a Southern Illinois miscue to plate sophomore pinch runner Kaylie Pruett.

Unfortunately, the Salukis (28-12) would score three runs in the third before exploding for six runs in the fourth frame to lead 9-1.

EIU added a run in the top of the fifth as Willert opened up with her double, followed by a single from Hanna.  That's when Westover stepped up and drill an RBI shot to centerfield to plate Willert.

But the host squad would counter with their own run in the bottom half of the fifth frame to earn the mercy victory.

Sophomore Hanna Mennenga was tagged for the loss in the circle off nearly four innings of work , yet she retired three SIU batters via strikes, while allowing three earned runs.  Junior Hailie Ray and sophomore Reynae Hutchinson also saw some action in mid-week play.

Panthers return home for a key Ohio Valley Conference series versus Eastern Kentucky this weekend with a Saturday doubleheader set for 1 p.m. and a noon single-game on Sunday.

EIU is currently riding an eight-game league winning streak while sitting in third place in the conference standings.

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