Game 1 Box Score | Game 2 Box ScoreTROY, Ala. - Eastern Illinois softball couldn't get the scoring going in day two of the Troy Classic falling to Ole Miss 4-2 followed by an 11-1 six inning loss to McNeese State later in the day.
With the losses the Panthers fall to 3-6 on the season.Â
The Panthers opened day two of the tournament against Ole Miss, marking the first time EIU softball has ever faced the Rebels.Â
Ole Miss got on the scoreboard first in the top of the third inning as Melina Preciado singled through the left side to bring Paige McKinney across home plate and put the Rebels up 1-0.
EIU responded in the bottom of the fourth as Jennette Isaac was walked to open the inning and eventually brought around to score off of a Kayla Bear double. Bear would earn the go ahead run as Ole Miss threw out Katie Watson at second base giving Bear the opportunity to take home plate and put the Panthers up 2-1.Â
The Rebels tied it up in the following inning as Hailey Lunderman singled to left field to score Preciado from second base and even the game at 2-2 in the top of the fifth.
Ole Miss sealed the game in the top of the seventh inning with Miranda Strother hitting an inside the park home run to put the Rebels up 4-2.
Wireman finished the game with six strikeouts. Bear led the Panther offense with a double, one RBI, and one run scored.Â
Michelle Rogers got the start for EIU on the mound in game two of the day against McNeese State looking for her first result of the season.Â
The Panthers struck first in the bottom of the second inning as Kaitlyn Crossen opened the inning with a single to left field. Crossen eventually advanced to third base taking advantage of two wild pitches from the Cowgirls' Rachel Smith. Ashlynne Paul earned her first RBI of the season with a single to third base putting the Panthers up 1-0.
McNeese State claimed the lead in the top of the third inning. After the Cowgirls' first two batters grounded out Rogers got into a little trouble hitting a batter and then walking the next Cowgirl at the plate. With runners on second and third Marisa Taunton singled up the middle to tie the game at 1-1. Taylor Schmidt followed suit hitting a single in the next at bat this time to third base scoring both runners in scoring position and put McNeese State ahead 3-1. Schmidt would add another run herself stealing third base and scoring on the errant throw. Wireman was called in to close out the inning as the Cowgirls led 4-1.
The Cowgirls extended their lead in the top of the fourth loading the bases with one out. McNeese State's Shelbi Strickland scored on the sacrifice fly to left field, followed by a single to bring another run home and put the Cowgirls ahead 6-1. Tori Johnson made her first appearance of the season on the mound for EIU coming in for Wireman in the top of the fifth inning.
It was in the top of the sixth inning that McNeese State put the game out of reach utilizing their bats and hitting four singles and one double to score five runs and earn the 11-1 win.Â
Rogers was credited with the loss finishing the game with 2.2 innings pitched, one strikeout, and four earned runs. Paul finished the game a perfect 2-for-2 at the plate against McNeese State.
EIU closes out the Troy Classic against Ole Miss Sunday [Feb. 21] at 12 pm.Â
