FLORENCE, Ala. – The Eastern Kentucky University softball team (16-17, 1-7 ASUN) dropped its second consecutive game and the series finale to North Alabama (21-9, 3-6 ASUN) by a score of 4-3 on Sunday afternoon at Hilda B. Anderson Softball Stadium.
 
With the loss, EKU has lost its first three ASUN Conference series of the 2023 slate.
 
Infielder Maggie Pertee had a stellar day at the plate, going 2-of-3 with a homerun and three runs batted in. Her homer in the third inning tied the game at two.
 
The day began with freshman Brooke Davis in the circle, quickly ending after giving up four hits and two runs in one inning of work. North Alabama put a two spot up before EKU head coach Jane Worthington inserted sophomore Lauren Narvaez in relief.
 
Pertee equalized the game at two in the top of the third, sending a towering 2-run home run over the left field fence. The blast came hours after her diving catch the day before was featured on SportCenter's Top 10 plays.
 
North Alabama took its advantage in the bottom half of the inning after EKU allowed two walks and two singles.
 
Both teams went scoreless the following inning and a half, until the Lions padded their lead to two in the fifth with a solo shot to right.
 
EKU had four hits its last two chances at the plate, including a triple by Pertee that scored Madison Scott, her second of the season, but failed to bring the tying run in to end Sunday's series finale 4-3, UNA.
 
The Colonels return to action on Tuesday at in-state Northern Kentucky, EKU's seventh-straight road game. Tuesday's game marks EKU's first away midweek clash of the 2023 season, following a 13 inning one-run loss to Western Kentucky and a 10-1 decision against Louisville at home.