GAME ONE BOX | GAME TWO BOX

ROSEMONT, Ill. – The Eastern Kentucky University softball team won games against Fort Wayne, 6-5, and Northern Colorado, 4-0, to open up the 2018 season on Friday at the Total Control Sports Invitational.

In game one, Fort Wayne (0-2) went up 4-1 in the first inning. But, Eastern Kentucky came alive in the third when seniors Paige Murphy and Johnkyria Alston each collected hits for the Colonels. Murphy stole and advanced on an error to work her way around the bases. Hannah Clark then drilled one into right center for a triple and notched an RBI to pull EKU (2-0) within one, 4-3.

Each team tallied a run in the next at-bats.

Alston and Carly Robinson were each on in the top of the fifth when Emily Corbitt hit a double into left field to score both and put the Colonels ahead one, 6-5. Clutch pitching from freshman Samantha Reynoso held the Mastadons at a stale mate for the remainder of the game.

Reynoso garnered her first collegiate win after tossing 4.2 innings and allowing just two hits.

"This team works very hard in practice to be prepared at game time," Head Coach Jane Worthington stated. "While I am confident we will only improve as the season continues, today was good, solid softball. We won't be relying on just a few players to do well, production will come from different players on different days."

In game two EKU jumped ahead of Northern Colorado (0-1) early after Murphy drew a walk and Destinee Lizzmore cranked a double to left field. The two were plated, along with Clark to give the Colonels the 3-0 advantage.

Clark scored another run in the third after a Mihalicz double to send Eastern Kentucky up, 4-0.

EKU will be back in action tomorrow as they take on DePaul University at 10 a.m. and Loyola-Chicago at 3 p.m. to close out its first tournament of the season.