INDIANAPOLIS – Eastern Illinois softball stepped out of league play for a mid-week road game at Butler on Wednesday (April 15), as the Panthers dropped a tough 8-5 slug-fest to the Bulldogs.

The loss drops Eastern to 14-22 overall, while the home squad improves to 18-22.

EIU returns home this coming weekend, as Ohio Valley Conference foes Tennessee State and Belmont come to town for respective 1 p.m. doubleheaders on Saturday-Sunday (April 18-19).

Panthers jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first as senior shortstop Bailey O'Dell delivered an RBI shot to right which helped junior outfielder April Markowski score all the way from second base.

But the host Bulldogs countered with a bases-loaded shot over the left field fence to immediately retake the 4-1 lead in their half of the same inning.

After two scoreless innings by both squads, the Panthers pulled to within 4-3 of the Bulldogs in the top of the fourth as sophomore Amber Toenyes drilled her fourth home run of the season over the center field fence to also plate classmate Hannah Rachor.

Unfortunately, a solo homer, an RBI double and two-run shot in the gap in the bottom of the fifth by Butler would help the Bulldogs increase their lead to 8-3.

EIU countered with a two-run homer by Markowski in the top of the sixth frame, and also scoring sophomore Ashlynne Paul, to pull the Panthers to within 8-5 of the Indy squad.

Seven different Panthers earned at least one hit in the loss, led by Markowki and O'Dell with a pair of shots on the day.

Newcomer Michelle Rogers was tabbed for the loss in the circle, falling to 6-11 overall.

The Butler win helps Bulldogs even the season series with the Panthers, as both regional rivals met in late February with EIU earning a 5-neutral site victory.
 
... for more info, contact Bart Rettberg, Asst. SID