Boxscore (PDF) | Photo Gallery (Sandy King)

CHARLESTON, Ill. – Eastern Illinois softball finally opened the home portion of the slate on Thursday (March 27), as the Panthers shutout Horizon League foe Valparaiso, 3-0, at Williams Field.

With the win, EIU improves to 21-9 on the season, while the Crusaders fall to 6-20.

Sophomore April Markowski led all Panthers with a 2-for-3 day at the plate, which included an RBI shot up the middle to score the final run of the day, in addition to her second triple of the season.  She also had a fine defensive performance as she caught four balls in right field, including a deep troublesome ball to end a potential Valpo scoring threat.

Four additional players also earned a hit, as senior Reynae Hutchinson got the Panthers on the scoreboard in the opening frame off her sac fly RBI to deep centerfield, which plated sophomore Jennette Isaac from third.

After four scoreless innings, EIU would add two more runs in the sixth as senior Carly Willert first blasted her second home run of the year, and 13th in her career, in walk-up fashion.

After Willert's shot cleared the right field fence, Hutchinson added her own single following a walk by Owens.  That's when Markowski connected on her RBI shot into the heart of the Valpo defense, which allowed pinch-runner Kaylie Pruett to scamper home from second base for the score.

Senior starter Hanna Mennenga earned the complete game win in the circle to improve to 12-2 on the year as she retired seven Crusader batters via strikes, while allowing just two walks and a pair of hits.  The win upped her season shutout total to five, while earning her 12th such performance in her career.

Isaac and junior Hannah Cole also added respective singles in the game for the Panthers.

EIU will now prepare for a three-game Ohio Valley Conference series at fellow West Division rival Murray State this coming weekend at Racer Field.  A 1 p.m. Saturday twinbill will be followed by a single Sunday afternoon contest, also set for a 1 p.m. start.

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