CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Eastern Illinois softball opened Ohio Valley Conference action with a road split at Austin Peay on Wednesday (March 18), losing a tough 8-7 first game, despite a valiant comeback, before slugging past the Lady Govs in a five-inning 12-0 rout in the nightcap.
With the split, the Panthers now own a 6-12 overall mark and an even 1-1 early league record with the final contest of the three-game series with APSU set for Thursday at noon.
In the opening game, senior shortstop
Bailey O'Dell delivered the first of her nine RBIs on the day as she helped the Panthers take an early 1-0 lead in the opening frame. Unfortunately the host Lady Govs (2-13/1-1) would erupt for seven straight runs over the first two innings to enjoy the 7-1 lead.
But the Panthers would slowly claw back, as O'Dell delivered a three-run homer over the left field fence in the top of the fifth, before junior
Katie Watson and newcomer
Taylor Miokovic each added respective RBI singles in the sixth frame to move EIU within one run of APSU, 6-7.
The home squad would add the eventual game-winner in their half of the sixth inning before the Panthers again pulled within a run of the Lady Govs in the final inning as O'Dell scampered from third base to home off an APSU passed ball. Unfortunately the Panthers would strand the possible game-tying run in the inning for the tough loss.
Michelle Rogers was tagged for the loss as the freshman pitched the opening inning, allowing just two hits and a pair of walks. Sophomore
Hannah Rachor came in relief and retired two Lady Govs via strikes.
In the nightcap win, the Panthers scored four runs in the first, fourth and fifth innings for the 12-0, mercy-rule victory as O'Dell once again had a great plate performance. She drilled the first grand slam of the season and added two doubles as well for a 3-for-4 mark and five total RBIs.
Junior
Jennette Isaac went 2-for-3 , while sophomore
Ashlynne Paul secured three RBIs off a perfect 3-for-3 day at the plate and Miokovic chipped in two RBIs of her own. Eight different Panthers tallied at least one hit in the win as EIU held a 16-3 hitting advantage over the Lady Govs.
Freshman pitcher
Jessica Wireman earned the complete game shutout victory, improving to 3-7 overall this season as she held APSU to just three hits while fanning four batters, while the Lady Govs went through three different pitchers in a losing cause.
For the day, O'Dell hit .750 (6-for-8) with two doubles and two homers to tally 14 total bases, as junior
April Markowski scampered for two stolen bases and Paul and Miokovic each added three RBIs via respective perfect hitting marks.
... for more info, contact Bart Rettberg, Asst. SIDÂ
