Box Score

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Eastern Kentucky beat Indiana State University, 9-3, in its first game at the Magic City Classic hosted by Alabama-Birmingham and Samford. The win was the third straight for the Colonels (5-3) and their fifth victory in their last six games.

EKU platted seven runs in the first two innings to take control of the game early. Christina Ciolek and Ashley Dollins each drove in a run in a three-run first inning. Four Colonels drove in one run each in the bottom of the second as Eastern extended its lead to 7-0.

Indiana State got on the board in the top of the third when Bailey Wittenauer capped a three-run inning with a single through the left side to drive in a pair, but that is as close as the Sycamores got.

Melissa Costa’s two-run double in the fourth pushed the lead to six, 9-3.

Diane Gallagher, Cassi Gibson and Larkyn Wood each finished with two hits. Ciolek and Costa drove in two runs each. The Colonels totaled five stolen bases.

Noelani Esperas started and pitched five and two-thirds innings. She allowed three unearned runs, walked two and struck out eight on her way to her first victory of the season.

The Colonels will play twice on Saturday at the Magic City Classic. EKU will take on Saint Louis at 11 a.m. and play Stephen F. Austin at 6:30 p.m.