Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 | Box Score 3 | Box Score 4 CHICAGO – The Eastern Kentucky University softball team (4-1) opened the season with wins over St. Thomas, Bowling Green, Valpo, and Creighton in the DePaul Dome Classic over the weekend inside the turfed Dome at the Parkway Bank Sports Complex. 
 
With a 4-1 record through the first five games of the season, the total marks the best start to a season since 2020.
 
The Colonels were highlighted by redshirt-junior Vianna Barron, the Elk Grove, Calif. product finished the weekend going 9-of-16 (.563) from the plate with a team-leading three homeruns, one triple, two doubles, and 10 runs batted in. 
 
Junior Jasmine Miller and sophomore Maggie Pertee each notched five hits and combined for five doubles. Pertee knocked EKU's fourth homerun of the season to help propel the Colonels to a 2-0 win over BGSU.
 
Freshmen Jaelin Haynes and Lilly Davis also made their collegiate debuts over the weekend, combining for five hits. Junior Madison Scott, a transfer from Odessa College, helped EKU on the defensive end with a team-leading 31 putouts/assists in 32 tries.
 
In the circle, EKU was led by sophomore Lauren Narvaez, who started in 4-of-5 games for the Colonels. Narvaez ended the weekend with a 2-0 record, including two complete games and one shutout, tossing 17.0 innings with 10 strikeouts.
 
Freshman Emma Bethel made her college debut in relief against St. Thomas throwin five innings and one strikeout. Bethel made her first appearance as a starter in a 9-2 win over Valpo, throwing four innings with two K's, earning the win.
 
Brooke Davis, a freshman from Oakdale, Calif., also made her collegiate debut on the mound over the weekend. Davis made two appearances in relief, tossing five innings against Evansville with eight strikeouts. Followed by a four-inning appearance against Valpo with four K's.
 
The EKU pitching staff combined for 25 strikeouts over the weekend.
 
Game 1: Feb. 10, 2023
EKU 11, St. Thomas 7
WP: Bethel (1-0)
HR: Barron (1)
 
Game 2: Feb. 10, 2023
Evansville 10, EKU 5
LP: B. Davis (0-1)
HR: Barron (2)
 
Game 3: Feb. 11, 2023
EKU 2, Bowling Green 0
WP: Narvaez (1-0)
HR: Pertee (1)
 
Game 4: Feb. 11, 2023
EKU 9, Valpo 2
WP: B. Davis (1-1)
HR: Barron (3)
 
Game 5: Feb. 12, 2023
EKU 9, Creighton 6
WP: Narvaez (2-0)
 
Next Up
The Colonels return to Richmond to prepare for the Bob Heck Classic in Atlanta hosted by Georgia State from February 17-19. EKU is set to face Rhode Island, Georgia State, and Purdue Fort Wayne.