RICHMOND, Ky. – Eastern Kentucky University’s softball team fell to Dayton University, 7-4, on the first day of the EKU Invitational. The Colonels (6-4) overcame a four-run deficit but couldn’t hold off the Flyers (2-7).

Dayton grabbed the early lead by scoring four runs in the first inning. Anne Maci drove in a run with a double. Emily Stegeman plated another with a single. Allie Falk’s ground out scored the fourth run of the inning.

The Colonels got on the board in the second inning when Amber Lenz drew a bases loaded walk to score Pam Webber.

Eastern Kentucky plated three runs in the fifth to tie the game. The first three Colonels reached base to lead off the inning. Adriel Foxley walked to get things started. Shyenne Hussey drove a pitch over the fence down the left field line to make it a 4-3 game. Rolf followed with a single up the middle and then scored later on a Dayton throwing error to tie the game.

The Flyers had the last word. In the sixth, Blair Crabtree singled up the middle to score a pair of runners. Two batters later Laura Matthews singled to through the left side to score Crabtree and make it a three run game.

Jena Handley walked to lead off the seventh inning but the next three batters were retired to end any threat of a Colonel rally.

Hussey finished 2-for-2 with two walks and two RBIs for Eastern Kentucky. Chanze Patterson and Cassi Gibson each had two hits.

Crabtree went 2-for-3 with two runs scored and two driven in.

Leah Bulls (1-0) earned the win for Dayton after pitching two innings and allowing two hits. Stacye Toups (1-2) suffered the loss after allowing three runs on three hits in five innings. She walked three and struck out three as well.

The Colonels will play twice on Sunday. At 11:30 a.m., Eastern will face Cleveland State. EKU will close out play with a 3:30 p.m. game against Appalachian State.

The schedule for the final day of the EKU Invitational is listed below.

SATURDAY, MARCH 1
Cleveland State 12, Appalachian State 2
Dayton 7, Eastern Kentucky 4

SUNDAY, MARCH 2
9:30 a.m. Cleveland State vs. Dayton
11:30 a.m. Cleveland State vs. Eastern Kentucky
1:30 p.m. Dayton vs. Appalachian State
3:30 p.m. Appalachian State vs. Eastern Kentucky