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Eastern Illinois University Athletics

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SB_Jog_16
14
Winner Eastern Illinois EIU 6-3
12
North Florida UNF 6-4
Winner
Eastern Illinois EIU
6-3
14
Final
12
North Florida UNF
6-4
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Eastern Illinois EIU 1 0 5 0 0 0 2 1 5 14 18 4
North Florida UNF 1 0 0 0 0 1 6 1 3 12 14 4

W: Rogers, Michelle (3-0) L: Green, Logan (2-3)

Game Recap: Softball |

Softball Holds Off UNF To Win In Extra Innings

The Panthers held off two North Florida rallies to down the Ospreys 14-12 in nine innings Sunday afternoon.



Box Score

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Eastern Illinois softball closed out the Osprey Invitational holding off host North Florida to win 14-12 in nine innings.

The nine inning victory marks the Panthers first extra inning win since last year's 12-inning 1-0 win over Eastern Kentucky. The win improves EIU to 6-3, while UNF falls to 6-4.

Four Panthers finished the game recording three or more hits with Kayla Bear's 4-for-6 performance marking the second time this season she has recorded four hits in a game.

EIU's last game of the Osprey Invitational began and ended as a hard fought game as both teams got on the scoreboard in the first inning. The Panthers scored first thanks to a two-out triple from Haley Mitchell to score Bear and give EIU a 1-0 lead in the top of the first.

The Ospreys tied it up in the bottom of the first off an RBI single from Macayla Kelley to knot the teams up 1-1.

The Panthers broke the game open in the third inning as Bear reached first on a throwing error to open the inning. With runners on second and third, Mitchell hit an RBI single to right field to give EIU the lead 2-1. EIU added to their lead on the next two at-bats thanks to an RBI double from Maria DeVito followed by a bunt from Amber Toenyes to make it 4-1.

A single from Mady Poulter followed by a fielding error that allowed Ashlynne Paul to reach first gave the Panthers a 6-1 at the end of the third inning as EIU closed the inning with five runs off five hits.

UNF chipped away at EIU's lead adding a run off a sacrifice fly from Jen Valle in the bottom of the sixth inning to score Alex Arciola from third and make it 6-2 heading into the seventh inning.

After reaching first off an Osprey error to open the seventh inning, Poulter eventually made it around to third base only to come around and score off a throwing error from the catcher as Bear stole second. An RBI single from Mia Davis gave the Panthers an 8-2 lead heading into the bottom of the seventh inning.

North Florida refused to go down without a fight loading the bases on the first three batters thanks to two singles and a walk. UNF added a run off the next three batters scoring off a fielding error, a single to right field, and a hit by pitch to cut into EIU's lead which now stood at 8-5. 

Following the Ospreys three runs, Michelle Rogers came in for Jessica Wireman in an attempt to close out the game. Wireman finished with six innings on the mound recording five earned runs and throwing eight strikeouts.

After striking out the first batter, the Ospreys were able to get one more run across due to another Panther error. UNF tied the game up on the next at-bat as Casey Estes hit a two RBI single to right center field to bring around two unearned runs and knot the game up 8-8. 

Rogers managed to avoid the walk-off loss closing out the inning to send the game into extras. The Panthers opened the eighth inning with Mitchell placed on second base. Kaitlyn Crossen came in to pinch run for Mitchell advancing to third base on a passed ball. Toenyes brought Crossen in to score with an RBI single to give EIU a 9-8 lead.

UNF were able to put runners on the corners with no outs in the bottom of the eighth after Taylor Aguayo started the inning placed on second base. Aguayo tied the game up once again scoring on a sacrifice fly from Mary Rodriguez sending the game into the ninth inning tied 9-9.

The Panthers tacked on five runs in the top of the ninth inning as Paul started the inning on second base advancing to third off a lead-off single from Bear. A single from Davis followed by a bunt from Crossen who reached on the fielder's choice put EIU back in front once again 11-9. Toenyes put the nail in the coffin smashing a three-run home run over the left center field wall to make it 14-9 in favor of the Panthers. Toenyes finished the game with five RBIs going 3-for-6 at the plate.

The Panthers looked to close out the game in the bottom of the ninth as Rogers struck out back-to-back batters after the Ospreys put runners on the corners. UNF rallied to score three runs with two outs off two singles and a Panther error, but EIU escaped with the victory as Dominica Cocuzza flied out to right field with the bases loaded to end the game.

Rogers earned the victory with three innings pitched and throwing three strikeouts while not allowing a single earned run.

Both Davis and Mitchell finished the game 3-for-5 combining for four RBIs.

The Panthers take the field again next weekend opening the Mississippi State Tournament Friday (Feb. 24) against Southern Illinois at 10 a.m.
 
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