Boxscore (PDF)

MURRAY, Ky. – A late-game rally doomed Eastern Illinois softball in the Ohio Valley Conference series finale at Murray State on Monday (March 31) afternoon, as the Racers earned the lone 6-4 win of the three-game set off a walk-off grand slam.

With the loss, the Panthers move to 23-10 overall and 4-3 in league play while the host Racers improved to 16-16 and 5-4, respectively.

Nonetheless, EIU earned a pair of wins (7-1 and 3-0) over the fellow OVC West Division rivals yesterday to automatically earn the regular-season series over Murray State for the fourth consecutive year.

Junior Hannah Cole paced all Panthers with a 2-for-3 day at the plate, including a two-RBI single in the opening frame to score seniors Reynae Hutchinson and Brooke Owens and give EIU the early lead.

Then in the fourth inning, EIU added two additional runs, as sophomore pinch-hitter Kylie Bennett delivered an RBI shot through the left side to bring home Cole.  Senior Carly Willert then earned a bases-loaded RBI walk to plate sophomore April Markowski for the final Panther score.

Murray State threatened off and on throughout the game as the Racers stranded nine base runners to just five for EIU, as the home squad scored once in the bottom of the sixth before earning the win with an RBI shot and bases-loaded blast for the walk-off victory.

Senior Stephanie Maday earned the start in the circle, retiring three batters via strikes and walking a pair, while giving up just one earned run.  After picking up both victories against Murray State yesterday, classmate Hanna Mennenga came in for the final 1.1-innings and was unfortunately tagged for the loss as she also earned three Ks and two walks, but also surrended three hits, including the game-winner.

Even with the loss, Mennenga still continues to lead the league pitchers with a 14-3 mark in the circle.

Despite the series finale defeat, the Panthers still enjoy a sizeable advantage in the all-time series history with the Racers, as Eastern now leads, 12-5.  More importantly, as the defending OVC regular-season champion, EIU avenged last season's OVC Tourney defeat at the hands of Murray State over the course of the weekend.

The Panthers will now prepare to host a pair of weekend doubleheaders against OVC East Division competition, with Eastern Kentucky and Morehead State set to visit Williams Field this coming Saturday and Sunday, respectively.  Each twinbill is scheduled for 1 p.m. starts.

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