CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – Eastern Kentucky split a pair of games on the first day of the Chattanooga Challenge. The Colonels dropped a 3-1 decision to Iowa State in the opening game before beating Akron 11-1 in the afternoon game. Sophomore Shyenne Hussey hit her first home run of the season and drove in four runs in the victory over Akron. EKU moves to 3-3 on the season.

In the first game, Eastern Kentucky grabbed the early lead with a run in the top of first inning. Chanze Patterson led off the game by being hit by a pitch. The senior stole second base and then advanced to third on a ground out. The next batter, Hussey, drove in Patterson when she took a pitch down the right field line for a double.

The Colonels held onto a slim lead until Iowa State plated three in the bottom of the fifth. After back-to-back singles with one out, Sydni Jones doubled to left field to tie the game. The Cyclones added two more before the inning ended.

Trailing by two heading into the final inning, Jena Handley led off the seventh with a single through the left side and then advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Pam Webber. However, the next two batters grounded out to end the game. Handley finished 2-for-3.

Jenn Bledsoe went the distance in a quality pitching performance for Eastern. She allowed four hits and only walked one batter while striking out four.

In the second game against Akron, the Colonels grabbed the early lead again, this time scoring twice in the bottom of the first inning. Eastern put eight more runs on the scoreboard in the third to blow open the game.

Despite scoring 11 runs in five innings, none of the Colonels had more than one hit. Amber Lenz, Adriel Foxley and Michelle Lerner each scored twice.

Freshman Stacye Toups earned her first collegiate win after allowing only two hits over five innings. Toups gave up one earned run, walked two and struck out two batters.

On Saturday Eastern plays Ball State at 9:45 a.m., and Saint Francis at 4:30 p.m. The Colonels will close out play with a Sunday game against East Tennessee State at 9:45 a.m.