Box Score 1 | Box Score 2
PDF Stats (Game 1) | PDF Stats (Game 2)

RICHMOND, Ky. – For the second day in a row, the Eastern Kentucky University softball team split a doubleheader, this time against OVC West foe Eastern Illinois. The Colonels took game one, 5-3, while the Panthers rallied in game two for a 3-2 comeback win.

Eastern Kentucky now sits at 18-11 overall and 5-2 in OVC action while the Panthers are 16-9 and 6-1.

Sophomore Katie Tackett hit a pair of home runs in the first game to help EKU snap Eastern Illinois’ eight-game winning streak. Tackett, who is tied for the team lead with six home runs, notched a solo home run in the third and fifth innings.

The Panthers took an early 1-0 lead in the opener, but Eastern Kentucky responded with three runs in the third. Senior Carissa Reisinger launched a two-run home run to right center and Tackett followed with a long ball to right to make the score, 3-1.

Tackett’s second home run put the Colonels ahead comfortably, 5-1. Sophomore pitcher Shaylon Robb (6-5) shook off an EIU two-run homer in the seventh to tally her fifth complete game of the year.

Eastern Illinois pitcher Hanna Mennenga (9-4), who entered the contest leading the OVC with a 1.21 ERA, was roughed up for five earned runs in the loss.

It looked like a second inning, two-run double by senior Raquel Howes was going to be enough to propel the Colonels to another win in game two.

Sophomore pitcher Leanna Pittsenbarger (11-6) took a shutout into the sixth inning. However, the Panthers notched a single run in the sixth to slice the lead in half at 2-1.

In the seventh, Eastern Illinois rallied with a pair of two-out runs to steal the victory. A Melise Brown RBI bunt single tied the game at 2-all. Carly Willert, who finished 3-of-4 in game two, followed with a solid RBI single through the right side to put the Panthers ahead.

EIU pitcher Stephanie Maday (7-3) sealed the win with a perfect seventh inning.  Maday struck out seven EKU batters in the complete game.

Eastern Kentucky had numerous chances to expand on its 2-0 lead earlier in the contest, but stranded 11 runners including the bases loaded in the sixth inning.

The Colonels return to action this Wednesday, March 27 at Tennessee. The single game is set to begin at 6 p.m.