EIU at the Samford Classic

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Published on February 15 2019 3:35 pm
Last Updated on February 15 2019 3:36 pm

Eastern Illinois softball split day one at the Samford Classic Friday afternoon. EIU beat Georgia State 8-4 in game one and fell 6-4 in game two vs. DePaul.Kendyl McKeough finished 3-of-7 at the plate with one run scored and one RBI.

The Panthers fall to 3-4 on the year. They will be back in action tomorrow morning with a 9 am game vs. Georgia State. EIU will close the Samford Classic at 2 pm at Samford tomorrow afternoon.

Game 1
GSU score in the top of the first to take a quick 1-0 lead over EIU. Hannah Cravens would give the Panthers a one run edge over GSU in the second inning. Cravens doubled to left field to score Taylor Jones. Cravens would then steal third base and score on a throwing error by GSU's catcher.

GSU would add one run in the third, fourth, and seventh, but EIU's six-run fifth inning would secure their third win of the year. Mady Poulter started things off for the Panthers singling to left field. Megan Burton doubled down the left field line to advance Poulter to third forcing a GSU pitching change. Poulter scored on a single up the middle from McKeough. Burton, Breya Cooper, Jones, and Cravens would all cross home plate to tally runs in the win.

Poulter finished 2-of-4 at the plate with one run scored, while Cravens finished 1-of-3 with two runs scored and an RBI.

Jade Montgomery made the start on the mound pitching 3.1 innings. Valerie Thompson came in for relief pitching 3.2 innings and recording the win on the mound improving to 2-0.

Game 2
The Panthers led 4-0 over the Blue Demons heading into the top of the seventh inning. DePaul locked in in the seventh scoring six runs and holding EIU scoreless securing a 6-4 win.

Cooper led the Panthers with a double to right field in the bottom of the first to score Burton for EIU's first run of the game. Cooper tallied another two RBI with a two-run homer in the bottom of the fourth. Burton would score again for the Panthers in the bottom of the sixth on a wild pitch giving EIU a 4-0 lead.

In the top of the seventh, Gabby O'Riley doubled to left center for DePaul to clear the bases and tally three RBI giving the Blue Demons a 6-4 win over the Panthers.

Cooper finished 2-of-2 at the plate with three RBI and one run scored. McKeough finished 2-of-3 with one run scored. 

McKenna Coffman started for the Panthers pitching six innings and retired two batters. Thompson came in for relief in the seventh and recorded the loss falling to 2-1 on the mound. Montgomery came in for Thompson to close the seventh inning.