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Box Score

CHARLESTON, Ill. – Junior Raquel Howes broke school records for home runs in a season and career home runs as Eastern Kentucky University beat Eastern Illinois University, 13-4, in the series finale on Sunday.  The Colonels won the series two games to one.

Howes’ record breaking home run came in the fourth inning with the bases loaded.  It was her 14th dinger of the season which broke her own program record set last season.  It was the 29th home run of her career, which breaks Shyenne Hussey’s school mark.

EKU got on the board early.  After a lead-off triple by Diane Gallagher, Nicole Heitz drove in her fifth RBI of the weekend for an early 1-0 lead.  An RBI single to right center by Larkyn Wood in the second inning made it 2-0.

Wood added another RBI single and Christina Ciolek scored on an error to start a six-run fourth inning.  Later in the inning, with one out and the bases loaded, Howes hit her record breaking home run to make it 8-0.

EIU scored twice in the bottom half of the inning and one each in the fifth and sixth innings. 

Howes added an RBI single in the sixth and another in the seventh.  She finished 3-for-5 with six RBIs and three runs scored.  Gallagher went 2-for-4 with four runs scored and two stolen bases. 

Bailey O’Dell was 2-for-4 with an RBI for the Panthers.  Only six of the 13 runs allowed by EIU’s two pitchers were earned after the home team committed four errors.  Stephanie Maday allowed 10 runs on 10 hits in five and one-third innings, but only three of the runs were earned.

The Colonels will play their final non-conference games of the season on Thursday with a doubleheader at East Tennessee State University.  First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m.