Eastern Illinois used the long ball to its advantage in both games on Saturday as the Panthers swept their doubleheader over Southern Indiana at the USI Softball Field. EIU improved to 29-20 overall, 19-3 in the OVC. USI dropped to 13-27 overall, 10-13 in the OVC.
EIU 6, USI 2
In the series opener Eastern Illinois powered its offensive output in the game courtesy of the long ball as the Panthers hit four home runs in the 6-2 win over Southern Indiana.
Peyton Dwigans started the long ball parade with a solo shot in the second for the Panthers first run of the game.
Sophia Olman hit the first of her two home runs in the game in the fourth to put the Panthers in front 2-0.
Kate Satkoski answered for USI in the bottom of the fourth with a two-run double. Satkoski and Ayssa Mumaw both had two hits to pace the Screaming Eagles offense.
In the top of the sixth Olman connected for the second time in the game sending her seventh home run of the season out in left center. Olman was the lone Panther in the game with multiple hits as EIU was held to just six hits in the game.
EIU's pitching combo of
Karlie McKenzie and
Bryanna French limited USI to just five hits. McKenzie (9-8) pitched through the sixth with French tossing two scoreless innings of relief for her fifth save. Anna Kemp (4-10) took the loss for USI.
Lizzie Stiverson added insurance runs with a two-run homer in the seventh followed by an
Abbi Hatton RBI single as EIU extended its lead during its final at-bat.
EIU 6, USI 1
Eastern Illinois scored in each of the first four innings of the second game providing all the offense starter
Rylan Gick (11-4) would need during the 6-1 win.
Mo Hance delivered an RBI single in the first with
Lexie Griffin scoring on a wild pitch in the second for the Panthers opening two runs.
Alisha Frederick cranked out the Panthers fifth home run of the day in the third with a solo shot to right.
Viola Smith,
Sophia Olman and
Abbi Hatton each drove home runs in the third and fourth innings to stake the Panthers to the early 6-0 lead.
Gick scattered four USI hits with a solo home run by Kate Satkoski breaking up the shutout in the fifth inning. Satkoski and Caroline Stapleton had two hits each to account for the Screaming Eagles offense. Kylie Witthaus (3-9) took the loss in the circle.
Frederick led the Panthers offense with three hits while
Lizzie Stiverson added two hits from the lead-off spot.
