Box Score vs. Saint Francis (Pa.)
Bos Score vs. UNC Greensboro

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Eastern Kentucky opened its 2011 season with two losses at the First Pitch Classic hosted by UNC Charlotte. EKU lost 8-5 to Saint Francis (Pa.) and 10-1 to UNC Greensboro in five innings.

In the first game against Saint Francis (Pa.), the Red Flash jumped out to a big early lead by scoring six runs in the first inning. The Colonels committed two of their three errors in the first frame. SFU added a run in the third and another in the fourth for an 8-0 advantage.

EKU got on the board and cut the deficit in half in the top of the fifth inning. Freshman Christina Ciolek drove in two runs with a double. Junior Diane Gallagher chipped another run off the deficit in the top of the seventh with an RBI single. With the Saint Francis lead down to 8-5, EKU still had runners at the corners and only one out, but the rally ended when the next two batters grounded out.

In her collegiate debut, Ciolek finished 3-for-3 with two RBIs, a walk and a stolen base. Fellow freshman Shannon McQueen went 2-for-4 and scored twice in her debut. Senior Cassi Gibson and Gallagher also recorded two hits each.

Sophomore Kristin Perry suffered the loss after allowing six runs on four hits in one-third of an inning. Kaitlin Andler led the Red Flash with two hits in three at bats including a home run. She also drove in two runs and scored twice.

The game against UNC Greensboro began the same way the first game did. The Spartans scored six runs in the first inning. UNCG led 8-1 after two innings. Eastern scored its lone run on an error in the bottom of the first. Kaitlin Merkt’s two-run home run in the top of the fifth gave UNC Greensboro the 8-plus run lead to end the game after five.

Gibson and Melissa Costa recorded the only two Colonel hits. Stacye Toups started and allowed six runs on three hits and walked four in one-third of an inning. Merkt finished 2-for-3 with three runs and three RBIs.

The Colonels will face host Charlotte at 12 p.m. on Saturday.