LAFAYETTE, La. – Eastern Illinois softball completed Louisiana-Lafayette Classic with a two-game split on Sunday (Feb. 8) as the Panthers downed Incarnate Word, 7-4, before dropping another five-inning contest to the tourney host and #9-ranked Ragin Cajuns, 9-0.
Panthers finish with a 2-3 season-opening weekend mark as the squad will next partake in the Auburn Tiger Invitational next weekend (Feb. 13-15).
"It was nice to get outside on the dirt and face other pitchers than our own," said second year head coach
Angie Nicholson. Â "This weekend we were able to face some of the best hitters and pitchers in the nation. Â The experience will be very beneficial for this young squad.
"We grew up this weekend and still have a lot more growing to do," added Nicholson. Â "Mentally I like where we are and hope that we can continue to work hard and know exactly what we are working towards."
Versus the Cardinals of UIW, Eastern used a four-run second frame to open up a two-all tie in the first, before adding a security run in the sixth.
Sophomore
Amber Toenyes went a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate with an RBI, senior
Bailey O'Dell followed with a 2-for-3 performance off a two-run home run. Â Classmate
Hannah Cole added her own solo bomb as EIU and UIW both delivered 10 hits each.
Junior
Haylee Beck nabbed a sac fly RBI, while senior
Jennette Isaac and freshman
Andrea Roberts each placed sac bunts. Â Junior transfer
Katie Watson tallied a stolen base.
Freshman
Michelle Rogers earned her first win of the season in the circle, walking just one Cardinal batter and fanning a pair, while
Jessica Wireman secured the save with near two innings of relief.
In the weekend finale loss to Louisiana (4-0), the Panthers were led in hitting by O'Dell and junior
April Markowski as each delivered a respective single and double.
Like yesterday's loss, the Ragin Cajuns led Eastern in total hits, 13-to-two as three pitchers combined for 11 Panther strikeouts. Â Wireman took the loss for EIU as she allowed nine earned runs, struck out one and walked three.
... for more info, contact Bart Rettberg, Asst. SIDÂ
