CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - Eastern Illinois softball can't quite get their offense going on day two of the UT Chattanooga Frost Classic falling to No. 18 Kentucky 1-9 in five innings before losing to Lipscomb 1-4 in their second game of the day. Jessica Wireman was the pitcher of record in both games as EIU falls to 4-10 overall and Wireman drops to 3-9 on the season.

April Markowski and Kylie Bennett finished the second day of the Frost Classic with one home run each, their only hits of the day. Jennifer Ames led the Panthers with two hits throughout the day as EIU recorded only five total hits on Saturday.

Markowski set the precedence for the game against No. 18 Kentucky smashing a home run over the left field wall in the first at bat of the game to give EIU a 1-0 lead and record the Panthers only hit of the game.

The Wildcats would not be deterred, proving why they are ranked nationally in the bottom of the first inning. After loading the bases following a steal and two straight walks UK's Maisie Steed hit a single to center field to bring around two runs. Steed would prove influential in Kentucky's third run of the inning as she was thrown out trying to steal second base, but provided enough of a distraction to allow Nikki Sagermann to score from third base and put UK up 3-1 to close out the first inning.

Kentucky kept their rhythm going in the bottom of the second adding three more runs as the Wildcat's Katie Reed hit an infield single making it all the way to third base on an errant throw bringing around the runners on first and second base. Reed would cross home plate before the inning came to a close as UK extended their lead to 6-1 headed into the third inning.

Michelle Rogers took over pitching duties for Wireman in the bottom of the third. Wireman finished the game with two innings pitched, three strikeouts, and six earned runs recording the loss and falling to 3-8 on the season. 

Rogers managed to stay out of trouble until the bottom of the fourth inning as UK's Sylver Samuel and Reed hit back-to-back doubles  with one out in the inning to put runners on second and third base. The Wildcats managed to hit both Samuel and Reed home before the inning came to a close to put Kentucky up  8-1. 

Kentucky sealed the game in the bottom of the fifth with a walk-off single to give UK a 9-1 advantage and the run-rule victory. The Wildcat's Shannon Smith earned the win on the mound pitching all five innings and recording 11 strikeouts. 

Wireman returned to the mound to start the second game of the day for EIU against Lipscomb.

Lipscomb's Brittany Elmore opened the game with a lead-off single eventually stealing second base and making it to third on a ground-out. Elmore scored on the sacrifice fly from Caitlin Plocheck to put the Bison up 1-0 to start the game.

LU added another run in the second inning as Sarah Higgins reached first on an error to open the inning. Higgins eventually made it to third base and put Lipscomb up 2-0  as she stole home plate at the same time LU's Khayla Green stole second base.

Wireman struggled with her accuracy a bit in the third inning walking Casey Gibson and then hitting Lipscomb's next batter. Gibson advanced to third base and then scored from two wild pitches to extend the Bison's lead to 3-0. Wireman made it out of the third inning without any more problems before being replaced by Rogers in the top of the fourth inning. Wireman threw three strikeouts against LU finishing the day with six total strikeouts in five innings worth of work.

It wasn't until the fifth inning that Lipscomb would add another run as Abby Fenichel was struck by a pitch to open the inning. Fenichel scored all the way from first advancing to third on an infield ground ball and crossing home plate due to a throwing error. 

The Panthers pulled one run back in the bottom of the seventh inning as Bennett hit a solo home run entering the game to pinch hit for Tori Johnson with two outs. 

It would not be enough as the Bison finished the game up 4-1 to earn the win over EIU.

Ames finished the game against LU going 2-of-3 at the plate. Rogers finished the game with four innings pitched, three strikeouts, and zero earned runs. LU's Mandy Jordan recorded six strikeouts in her seven innings of work. 

EIU closes out play in the Frost Classic against Miami [OH] Sunday [Feb. 28] at 10 am.