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Eastern Illinois University Athletics

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Bear 2016 APSU
7
Eastern Illinois EIU 15-24
9
Winner Illinois ILL 26-18
Eastern Illinois EIU
15-24
7
Final
9
Illinois ILL
26-18
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Eastern Illinois EIU 4 0 3 0 0 0 0 7 12 3
Illinois ILL 4 2 0 0 2 1 X 9 11 1

W: K. Giddens (2-0) L: Wireman, Jessica (11-17)

Game Recap: Softball |

Illinois Comeback Downs EIU Softball 9-7

EIU softball could not hang on against Illinois as two crucial home runs prove to be the deciding factors in mid-week loss.

Box Score

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - It was a wild game in Champaign as Eastern Illinois softball fell to Illinois 9-7 on a dreary Wednesday afternoon. The game, which featured three different lead changes, was moved up to 3 pm to avoid inclement weather.

With the loss EIU fell to 15-24 on the season while Illinois improved to 26-18.

Jessica Wireman earned the start for the Panthers going 5.1 innings while throwing two strikeouts and giving up seven earned runs. 

Five different Panthers recorded multiple hits for EIU in the game with freshman Kayla Bear leading the way going 3-for-5 with two RBIs, a double, and one run scored. Bear's three hits and two RBIs are new single game highs for the young Panther.

Jennette Isaac finished the game with a perfect 1.000 on-base percentage going 2-for-2 with two walks in her four plate appearances. Isaac also recorded one RBI.

The Panthers struck quickly in the top of the first to open the scoring. Bear opened the game with an infield single to the third baseman advancing to second on an errant throw. Haylee Beck singled to center field on the next at-bat to put runners on the corners. Illinois' Jade Vecvanags loaded the bases with one out after walking Kylie Bennett. The next four batters for EIU would drive in runs as April Markowski started the scoring with an RBI single to right field to give the Panthers a 1-0 lead.

Amber Toenyes advanced all runners with a walk before Ashlynne Paul recorded an RBI ground out to extend the Panthers lead to 3-0. Mady Poulter added one more run with a single up the middle before Illinois pulled Vecvanags in favor of Taylor Edwards. Edwards managed to get the Illini out of the inning without any further damage.

Illinois hit back in the bottom of the first inning as Allie Bauch reached first safely due to a fielding error from Beck. The Illini got on the board following a Nicole Evans double to right center field to bring Bauch around to score and put runners on second and third base with no outs. A wild pitch during the next at-bat from Wireman advanced both the runners to make it 4-2. The Fighting Illini leveled the game thanks to a sacrifice fly from Danielle Trezzo followed by an RBI single up the middle from Ruby Rivera. Wireman made it out of the inning with the game level at 4-4.

UI managed to take the lead in the bottom of the second off the bat of Evans as the outfielder sent a two-run home run over the left center field wall to give Illinois a 6-4 lead.

Not to be out done EIU would claw back in front in the top of the third inning. Toenyes hit a one out single through the left side before Taylor Monahan came in to pinch run advancing to second base on a pass ball. A hit by pitch and Poulter single to center field loaded the bases for the Panthers with one out. Illinois' Edwards brought around a run walking Isaac to make it 6-5. Bear put EIU back on top hitting her fourth double of the season to left center field bringing in Paul and Poulter to score and give the Panthers a 7-6 lead.

Illinois once again relied on a two-run home run to take the lead back as Carly Thomas sent a ball into the left field stands to give UI the 8-7 lead in the bottom of the fifth inning. The Fighting Illini added one more run before the game was over as Annie  Fleming hit an RBI single through the right side in the bottom of the sixth to earn the final score of 9-7. 

Markowski and Poulter both finished the game 2-for-4 with one RBI and one run scored each. Toenyes was 2-for-3 with one RBI. Michelle Rogers, who came in for relief in the sixth inning, recorded 0.2 innings on the mound giving up one hit.

The Panthers return to conference play this weekend with doubleheaders against Belmont and Tennessee State this Saturday and Sunday respectively.
 
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