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OXFORD, Ala. - Eastern Illinois softball fell 11-10 to No. 3 Jacksonville State in game one of the OVC Tournament. Haley Mitchell led the Panthers going 2-for-4 at the plate with two runs and three RBI.

EIU falls to 34-19 overall while JSU improves to 30-23.

The Panthers jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead after the first half inning.  Kayla Bear led off for EIU with a single to left field. Mady Poulter and Mitchell were walked on the next two at bats. Mia Davis singled to center field and recorded two RBI as Bear and Poulter scored on the play. Mitchell would score EIU's final run in the inning. Alexus Jimmerson recorded JSU's only hit of the first inning and tallied an RBI as Caitlyn Sapp scored for the Gamecocks narrowing the Panthers lead 3-1.

EIU led 5-4 heading into the fifth inning and scored another four runs on four hits. Megan Burton tallied the first hit of the inning with a single through the left side. Bear later singled to right center recording two RBI. Mitchell would score Bear and herself on a solo homer, while Davis closed the inning with a double down the left field line. 

JSU responded with a two-run homer by Hayley Sims in the fifth inning and another three runs on four hits in the sixth inning to tie the game at 9-9. Bear scored on a single to left field by Mitchell to give the Panthers a 10-9 edge heading into the bottom of the seventh inning. 

Alexus Jimmerson stepped up for the Gamecocks with a two-run double to center field giving JSU an 11-10 walk-off win. Jimmerson finished the game 3-for-4 at the plate with three RBI.

Bear was 2-for-4 with three runs, two RBI and two stolen bases. Davis finished 2-for-3. Jessica Wireman tallied six strikeouts in 6.2 innings of work.

The Panthers will play Thursday at 10 am vs. UT Martin.