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Photo Gallery (by Sandy King)

CHARLESTON, Ill. – In a game the featured some clutch pitching by both starting pitchers, it was one key hit in the first inning that proved to be the difference in Eastern Illinois 2-1 win over Belmont on Friday night at Williams Field.
 
Haley Mitchell connected for a two-run home run that scored Mia Davis as she hit her sixth home run of the season over the centerfield fence with two outs in the bottom of the first.   The home run stood up as EIU improved to 11-4 overall, 4-0 in the OVC.   Belmont fell to 5-8 overall, 1-3 in the OVC.
 
The Bruins took the lead in the top of the first as Cheyenne Cavanaugh singled to lead off the game and stole second.  She would come around to score on a ground out by Abi Ledbetter which turned into a double play as Mitchell threw across the diamond and Audrey Lyle was tagged out at third after Cavanaugh crossed.
 
Entering the game EIU starter Jade Montgomery had walked only three batters all season.  On Friday night she struggled with her control issuing eight free passes.   The senior settled down when the Panthers needed her to as she pitched out of two bases loaded situations to improve to 5-3 on the year.  Aniya Holt made a driving grab on a ball hit hard in the third base hole while Montgomery got a fly out to end the other bases loaded situation.  Belmont would strand 11 runners on base in the game.
 
Alicia Veltri went the distance for Belmont falling to 3-5 on the year.   She would pitch out of several jams as the Panthers left seven runners on base with five of those in scoring position.
 
Davis and Amber Cieplinski each had two hits to lead EIU.  Cavanaugh had two hits to lead Belmont.