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Eastern Illinois softball split its opening day of games at the Western Kentucky Hilltopper Classic on Friday.   EIU posted a shutout win over Detroit Mercy before losing their second game of the day to Saint Louis.

EIU 8, Detroit Mercy 0 (6 innings)
Freshman McKenzie Oslanzi (4-0) continued her solid start to her collegiate career tossing five scoreless innings during an 8-0 Eastern Illinois win over Detroit Mercy.

Oslanzi issued four hits allowing one walk while striking out eight batters.  Karlie McKenzie pitched a scoreless sixth for the Panthers with three strikeouts.

The offense came in the fourth for EIU as they scored six of their eight runs in the inning.  Briana Gonzalez stated the big inning with an RBI single.  Kendall Grover had a bases loaded walk to plate the second run before Rachel Kaufman cleared the bases with a grand slam, her second home run this season.

EIU had scored in the first on a Marama Makea RBI single with Jadin Justman driving in the final run in the sixth on a sacrifice fly.  

Grover and Oslanzi each had two hits to lead EIU.

Olivia Warrington (0-1) took the loss for Detroit Mercy which was playing its season opener.  Claire Borg reached base twice for the Titans with one hit and collecting the lone walk issued by EIU pitchers.
 
Saint Louis 12, EIU 0  (5 innings)
Eastern Illinois was limited to just two hits as the Panthers dropped the second of their two games on the opening day at Western Kentucky.

Saint Louis scored four runs in the opening inning and continued its offense in the second and third frames picking up a 12-0 win over the Panthers.

Jadin Justman had a one out double in the first but EIU could not capitalize after moving her to third with two outs.  

EIU again threatened in the third loading the bases with two outs after drawing three walks in the inning.  The Panthers other hit was by Aryn Henke in the second.

Saint Louis opened with a single and two walks to load the bases in the bottom of the first.  Allie Marietta drove in the first run of the inning.  Kelsey Etling and Chloe Rhine added RBI singles late in the first. 

Saint Louis continued to be hot at the plate in the second with five hits and two drawn walks. Marietta had the big hit with a bases clearing double as she drove in four runs in the game.

Olivia Price (2-4) suffered the loss for EIU which is now 7-6.

Saint Louis improved to 4-2.  Taylor Hochman (2-1) picked up the complete game win.