TROY, Ala. - Eastern Illinois softball dropped both of their opening games at the Troy Classic, falling to McNeese State 4-3 in the first game of the tournament. The Panthers then fell victim to a come from behind victory from the host Trojans as Troy earned the 13-6 decision.

With the losses EIU falls to 3-4 on the season. Pitcher Jessica Wireman also falls to 3-4 as she is credited with both results.

April Markowski led the Panthers with three hits, two home runs, and five RBIs during the first day of the tournament. Katie Watson also earned a hit in each game finishing the day with three RBIs.

The Panthers opened the Troy classic against McNeese State at 12 pm. 

The game started out very defensively as both teams raced through the first innings. Wireman got the call to start for EIU throwing two strikeouts in the first inning. McNeese State's Jamie Allred matched Wireman's effort throwing four strikeouts in the first three innings, finishing the game with eight total strikeouts.

The Cowgirls got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the third inning as they opened the inning with a double from Hailey Drew followed by a single from Erika Piancastelli. Another single brought Drew around to score and put McNeese State up 1-0. Back-to-back walks loaded the bases and brought around another run for the Cowgirls. McNeese State added one more following a sacrifice fly to extend their lead to 3-0 to close out the third inning.

EIU threatened in the top of the fifth inning as pitching errors loaded the bases for the Panthers with two outs, but EIU could not capitalize as Haylee Beck was thrown out at second following an infield hit from Markowski. McNeese State tacked on another run in the bottom of the fifth as Maurisa Taunton opened the inning reaching third base on a throwing error only to cross home plate later in the inning from a sacrifice bunt. The Cowgirls went into the final inning up 4-0 over the Panthers.

It was in the top of the seventh that EIU managed to pull the game close as Maria DeVito was hit by a pitch and advanced to second as Beck reached first due to the catcher's interference. Markowski stepped up to the plate and went yard on the second pitch to close the gap and make the score 4-3.

It would not be enough though as the Cowgirls brought in Emily Vincent to close out the game on the mound striking out the last two batters for EIU and earning the save as McNeese State won 4-3.   

The Panthers were only able to record three hits against McNeese State with hits from Watson and Kayla Bear.

It was in EIU's nightcap game against the host Trojans when the Panther hitting came alive. EIU opened the first inning with Jennette Isaac being walked followed by Jennifer Ames reaching on a wild throw in which Isaac was able to reach third base. Watson stepped up to the plate and popped up to third base, but earned the RBI as Isaac was able to reach home and put EIU up 1-0. 

Troy evened up the game in the bottom of the first as the Trojans' Ashley Rainey singled through the right side to bring Amanda Winters home and tie the game 1-1. 

EIU took control in the third inning as they opened the inning with three straight singles to load the bases. Watson once again stepped up to the plate hitting a a single up the middle to bring around two runs and put the Panthers ahead 3-1. 

Both teams added two runs in the fourth inning as Markowski hit her second home run of the day to extend EIU's lead to 5-1 over the host Trojans. Troy would follow suit in the bottom of the fourth as Kaylee Hussey singled to score the runners on second and third base to make it 5-3 and keep the game close.

The scoring continued into the fifth inning as Ames opened the inning with her first career home run for EIU to give the Panthers some breathing room making the score 6-3. Troy battled back in the bottom of the fifth inning hitting back-to-back home runs to tie the game at 6-6 with one out.

Wireman came in to replace Rogers in the bottom of the fifth.

The Trojans still managed to keep the scoring going as Allison Moore came in to pinch run, stealing second and advancing to third on the errant throw. Moore would cross home plate on a sacrifice fly to give Troy their first lead of the game 7-6.

Troy extended their lead in the bottom of the six inning as Hannah Day hit a grand slam to put the Trojans up 11-6. Rogers re-entered the game shortly after the grand slam with runners on first and second. EIU managed to make it out of the inning but not before Troy added two more runs as Amber Jones doubled with the bases loaded to make it 13-6.

The Panthers continue tournament play with games against Ole Miss and McNeese State Saturday [Feb. 20] morning.