Boxscore (PDF)

JACKSON, Miss. – Eastern Illinois softball finished Jackson State Tournament action with an 8-0 shutout of the host Tigers on Sunday (Feb. 23) afternoon, to earn a 3-1 weekend mark and 9-5 overall record.

Sophomore Jennette Isaac led all players with a perfect 3-for-3 day at the plate, as she tied classmate Haylee Beck with two runs in the rout.

Senior Brooke Owens and junior Hannah Cole added two hits apiece, as Owens nailed a double and senior Reynae Hutchinson delivered a two-run home run.

In the opening frame, Cole's shot down the left field line would bring home Isaac, while Hutchinson drilled a bomb over the center field fence to give the Panthers the early 3-0 advantage.

EIU would secure three more runs in the second inning, as Isaac's RBI single plated both Beck and senior Kaylie Pruett, while Owens' shot to right field scored Isaac.

Beck would tally a run in the fourth inning, thanks to an illegal pitch by the JSU thrower, while sophomore April Markowski's RBI single in the top of the seventh accounted for the final EIU scoring margin.

Senior Hanna Mennenga earned her second win of the weekend, improving to 4-1 on the year in the process. She pitched the complete game shutout off four strikeouts, one walk and fanning three Tiger hits.

Team-wise, Eastern enjoyed a 13-to-three advantage over the Tigers (5-8) in total hits, while JSU also committed a pair of miscues.

Panthers return to the field next weekend, traveling to Charleston, S.C., to partake in the three-day Charleston Southern Tournament.

Eastern is set to play Colgate and the host squad on Friday (Feb. 28), before taking on Appalachian State on Saturday (March 1). Two additional opponents will be determined following pool play.

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