Box Score (PDF)

RICHMOND, Ky. – EKU junior pitcher Alex Sallberg tallied her 100th strikeout of the season in Sunday's loss to Jacksonville State University at Gertrude Hood Field. After taking a 2-0 lead in the first inning, the EKU softball team fell to the regular season Ohio Valley Conference champions JSU, 13-2.
 
EKU (33-14, 15-7 OVC) jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first after RBI singles from freshman Hannah Clark and sophomore Paige Murphy. Junior Krislyn Campos drew a leadoff walk to start the inning for the Colonels. Campos then swiped second, putting one in scoring position for EKU. A well-executed sacrifice bunt from senior Kayla Joyce advanced Campos to third, before Murphy drove the 3-2 pitch through the left side to give the Colonels a 1-0 lead.
 
With Murphy aboard, Clark's RBI single to left put the Colonels out in front 2-0.
 
However, JSU (34-14, 23-0 OVC) plated four runs in the fourth to take the lead for good. A solo shot from sophomore Whitney Gillespie got the Gamecocks on the board, before a two RBI double to left center from sophomore Jordan Bullock put JSU in front, 3-2. The Gamecocks added runs in three of the next five innings on their way to the win.

Murphy and Clark paced the EKU offensive, going 1-for-3 with one RBI.
 
Sallberg tossed four and two-thirds innings on the day for EKU.
 
The Colonels close out the regular season next weekend with at three-game series at Tennessee Tech. Saturday's doubleheader is scheduled for a 2 p.m. first pitch with Sunday's regular season finale slated for a 2 p.m. first pitch.