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RICHMOND, Ky. – Freshman Johnkyria Alston came through with an RBI single to center field in the bottom of the eighth inning to lift the Eastern Kentucky University softball team to a 2-1 win over visiting Tennessee State Sunday afternoon.
 
The win completed a three-game sweep for the Colonels (18-22, 8-6 OVC).
 
Sunday's finale remained scoreless until the bottom of the fifth inning when senior Katie Tackett tallied a two-out, run-scoring single through the middle of the infield.
 
It appeared the 1-0 lead was going to hold for Eastern as senior pitcher Leanna Pittsenbarger made it through the first six innings scattering five singles and striking out nine Tigers (9-28, 2-14).
 
However, TSU's Lindsey Burgess equaled the game with a solo home run in the top of the seventh, her seventh of the season and second of the series.
 
In the bottom of the eighth, senior Shannon McQueen reached base with one out after getting hit by a pitch. McQueen quickly moved to second on her fourth stolen base of the season. After fouling off four pitches with two outs, Alston ended the game with a sharp single to center field. McQueen easily scored on the play allowing the Colonels to notch their second extra-inning win in 2015.
 
Junior pitcher Hayley Flynn (3-5) picked up the win thanks to tossing the final 1.2 innings. Tennessee State's Taylor Green (5-12) pitched an effective game as she went the distance, allowing two runs on five hits.
 
Eastern Kentucky returns to action on Wednesday, April 15 with its annual Autism Awareness game. The Colonels will host No. 13 Kentucky at Gertrude Hood Field beginning at 7 p.m. There will be a silent auction before and during the game with proceeds benefitting the Bobby Whitlock Jr. Foundation.