Box Scores  Game 1  I  Game 2

KISSIMMEE, Fla. – The Eastern Kentucky softball team opened its spring break trip to Florida with a doubleheader split with the South Dakota at the Rebel Games on Saturday. The Colonels lost the first game 8-6 before winning game two by a score of 6-2.

In the second game, Eastern (8-5) jumped out in front quick by scoring five runs in the first two innings. Senior Shyenne Hussey belted her first home run of the season, a two-run shot, in the first inning to get the Colonels on the board. Nicole Heitz and Cassi Gibson had RBI singles in the second before Hussey’s sacrifice fly capped the three-run frame and gave EKU a 5-0 lead.

South Dakota (2-5) never threatened. Senior Noelani Esperas (3-0) tossed five and one-third innings, allowing two runs on five hits. She walked three and struck out six. Hussey finished 2-for-3 with a run and three RBIs. Gibson and Heitz both went 2-for-4.

In the first game, EKU’s Cheyanne Pounds tied game 4-4 in the bottom of the fourth with a two-run home run down the left field line. It was the first career round tripper for the sophomore. Larkyn Wood’s two-run double in the bottom of the fifth gave the Colonels a 6-4 lead, but it didn’t last long.

South Dakota platted four in the top of the sixth to go in front for good.

Gibson and Hussey each had a pair of hits in the first game.

The Colonels continue play at the Rebel Games on Sunday. EKU will face Loyola (Ill.) at 11 a.m., and Pennsylvania at 3 p.m.