Box Score vs. Saint Louis
Box Score vs. Stephen F. Austin

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – With one out and the Eastern Kentucky softball team trailing 6-5 in the top of the seventh inning, Ashley Dollins hit a two-run home run to send the Colonels to a 7-6 victory over Stephen F. Austin at the Magic City Classic hosted by Alabama-Birmingham and Samford. EKU lost 8-0 in five innings to Saint Louis in its first game of the day.

Against Stephen F. Austin, Eastern (6-4) scored five runs in the second inning to take a 5-0 lead. The Colonels took advantage of three SFA errors in the inning. However, Stephen F. Austin (2-13) battled back and slowly closed the gap to 5-3. SFA scored three times, including one run each on two wild pitches, in the bottom of the sixth to go on top 6-5.

Christina Ciolek’s one-out single up the middle preceded Dollins’ second home run of the season in the seventh. Stephen F. Austin got the tying run to second base with one out in the bottom of the inning, but Noelani Esperas retired two straight to pick up her second win of the season.

Cassi Gibson finished 2-for-3 with a run and an RBI for the Colonels. Dollins’ only hit was her homer.

In the first game of the day, Saint Louis (8-4) scored five times in the first inning and never looked back. Caitlin Trevillyan drove in three runs with a double to left center. SLU added one run each in the second, fourth and fifth innings. The run in the bottom of the fifth gave Saint Louis the eight-run margin it needed to end the game after five innings.

Kristin Perry (2-3) started for EKU and allowed four earned runs in one-third of an inning. Kelcie Matesa (6-3) allowed five hits and struck out four in five innings for Saint Louis.

The Colonels will conclude their series of games at the Magic City Classic on Sunday against Alabama State. First pitch is scheduled for 10 a.m.