Box Score

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Eastern Kentucky University’s softball program and head coach Jane Worthington earned the 500th victory in program history by beating Austin Peay, 9-4, on Sunday.

Eastern Kentucky’s softball program began in 1993. Worthington, in her 19th season, is the only head coach in program history. The Colonels earned their first-ever victory in their first-ever game, beating Bellarmine 1-0 on March 9, 1993. The 100th victory came on April 8, 1997 against Morehead State. The program reached 200 wins against St. John’s on Feb. 18, 2001. Win number 300 came on May 3, 2003 against Southeast Missouri. The 400th victory was achieved on May 13, 2006 against Eastern Illinois.

Today’s historic win over the Lady Govs improved EKU to 16-9 this season and 3-3 in OVC play. Eastern Kentucky now has an all-time record of 500-479.

The Colonels jumped out of the gate quickly, platting seven runs in the first inning. Diane Gallagher’s two-out bases loaded triple capped the big inning for the visitors. APSU slowly cut the lead to three. After scoring a single run in the bottom of the first, the Lady Govs added three more in the fifth. Tiffany Smith’s two-out, two-run single up the middle made it a 7-4 game.

Austin Peay never got any closer. Eastern added a pair of runs in the top of the seventh to set the final score.

Gallagher finished 2-for-4 with a run scored to go along with her three RBIs. Shyenne Hussey went 2-for-3 with a run and an RBI. Nine different Colonels scored one run each.

Noelani Esperas (7-2) picked up the victory in the circle for EKU. She pitched five and one-third innings, allowing one run on four hits and striking out five.

Catie Cozart led the Lady Govs at the plate. She went 3-for-4 with two runs and an RBI. Smith finished 2-for-3 with two driven in.

Before returning home for five straight games, the Colonels will travel to Cookeville, Tenn., for a doubleheader against Tennessee Tech on Tuesday. The first pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. ET.