Photo Gallery (Sandy King)

CHARLESTON, Ill. – Eastern Illinois softball earned an Ohio Valley Conference twinbill sweep of visiting Tennessee State today (April 18) via scores of 12-0 (5-inn.) and 6-5, as Panther skipper Angie Nicholson earned her 400th career victory in the first game rout.

The Panthers improve to 16-22 overall and 11-8 in league action as EIU has now won 12 straight over the Tigers (9-30/2-16) to enjoy a 40-11 all-time series advantage.
 
Nicholson began her career back in 2001, as a four-year coach at NJCAA Cuyahoga Community College, before taking a one year stint at NCAA DII Ursuline.  She joined the NCAA DI ranks at Butler in 2006 prior to enjoying a seven-year tenure at her alma mater, Cleveland State, from 2007-13 and taking over the EIU Panther program last spring.

With today's OVC sweep of TSU, Nicholson now sports an all-time 401-303-1 overall 15-year mark and 282-221-1 DI record over the past ten seasons.
 
In the opening five-inning win over the Tigers, the Panthers jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the opening frame as seniors Bailey O'Dell and Hannah Cole, plus sophomore Ashlynne Paul, all delivered RBI doubles, while fellow sophomore Hannah Rachor added an RBI single.
 
Eastern then erupted for eight scores in the bottom of the third as sophomore Amber Toenyes added her own RBI single and Paul notched an RBI fielder's choice, while pinch-hitter Kylie Bennett drilled a bases-clearing double.  Junior April Markowski and O'Dell both added respective RBI shots of their own, while Cole earned a sac fly RBI to account for the final EIU scoring onslaught.
 
Freshman Jessica Wireman pitched a five-inning gem, giving up just one TSU hit to nab her third shutout of the season.  She fanned three Tiger batters and allowed one walk.
 
Team-wise, the Panthers notched 12 hits and capitalized on a pair of TSU miscues, as Eastern only stranded two runners for three for the visiting Tiger squad.
 
The nightcap saw the Nashville squad jump out to an early 4-0 lead, thanks to a three-run homerun in the top of the opening frame, before the Tigers added another score in the second off an RBI single.
 
The Panthers would cut the deficit in half in their own half of the third inning as Markowski blasted a two-run bomb over the left field wall to also plate junior Haylee Beck.
 
Yet the visitors would add another score off an EIU error to enjoy a 5-2 lead heading to the bottom of the sixth.  That's where the Panthers plated four runs for the eventual 6-5 comeback.
 
First Cole lifted her own shot over the center field fence, then Paul followed with an eventual bases-loaded RBI single, but Markowski provided the game-winning heroics as she singled to left field which allowed both junior Katie Watson and sophomore Amber Toenyes to scamper home for the go-ahead run.
 
Wireman once again earned the second game win, taking over for starter Michelle Rogers in the circle, as both freshman allowed four TSU hits and combined for four Ks and a pair of walks.
 
For the twinbill, EIU out-hit the Tigers, .408-to-.205 behind a 20-to-9 advantage in total hits.  Cole led the way with a 3-for-4 day at the plate, including a walk, two doubles, three RBIs and eight total bases for a 2.000% slug mark.  Markowski followed at 4-for-7 with five RBIs, seven total bases, and tying both junior Jennette Isaac and newcomer Tori Johnson with respective stolen bases.
 
Wireman held the TSU bats to a low .135 batting average behind 11 total innings of work and allowed zero earned runs.  O'Dell and Rachor each registered four assists to lead the EIU defense.
 
In between the twinbill, the EIU squad joined a large group of parents and kids in celebration of Autism Awareness Day, which included a variety of games, crafts, and a balloon launch.
 
Panthers return to action tomorrow (Sunday, April 19) afternoon, as the Bruins of Belmont are scheduled to come to town for a 1 p.m. twinbill at Williams Field, weather permitting.  Unfortunately, a mix of rain and possible strong thunderstorms are currently in the weather forecast for tomorrow.

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