RICHMOND, Ky. – Down by five runs in the fourth inning, EKU softball plated seven runs in the last three frames, capped by a Maggie Pertee walk-off single in the bottom of the seventh, to take the series over Jacksonville State, 11-10, on Sunday afternoon at Gertrude Hood Field.
 
With the win, EKU moves to 25-20 on the season and 7-11 in ASUN Conference play. The Colonels' series win over Jacksonville State (27-16, 13-5 ASUN) marked EKU's second series victory of the 2023 campaign.
 
Pertee led the Colonels' offensive charge going 3-for-3 from the plate with a home run and two walks, safely reaching base in all five of her at bats. She led EKU with a season-high four runs batted in and capped her weekend tied for the most walks in a single game (4) in program history on Saturday.
 
Sparking the EKU comeback, Lou Bowers ended her day going 3-for-4 from the plate, hitting her team-leading 11th homer of the season in the fifth inning. The Tyrone, Ga. native is one long-ball off the ASUN lead.
 
First-year Jaelin Haynes went 3-for-3 from the plate from the nine-spot, including her seventh inning leadoff walk to give EKU the win.
 
Lauren Narvaez (13-14) earned the win in relief, going 1.1 innings on 14 pitches. 
 
To open Sunday's contest, Jacksonville State controlled the tempo scoring five unanswered runs in the first three innings. JSU's Jaliyah Holmes made her second appearance in the circle this series and only allowed one walk and one hit in EKU's first two at bats.
 
EKU responded in the bottom of the third as Pertee sent a 2-run home run to left field, followed by a Jasmine Miller 2-run homer to the same side one batter later. EKU would narrow the deficit to 5-4.
 
The Gamecocks loaded the bases in their next at bat, scoring four runs off two walks and two hits to expand the lead, 9-4.
 
Rylie Grants kicked off the bottom of the fourth with a double to right center, scoring Lilly Davis. Madison Scott plated Haynes to end the inning with two runs and once again narrow the EKU deficit to three runs.
 
An explosive EKU fifth inning started as Bowers hit a no-doubt home run to left field, her 11th long-ball of the season. EKU would advance runners into scoring position in the remainder of the inning, brought in by Jeanay Riley and a costly error by the JSU second baseman. The Colonels would take the 10-9 lead off a Pertee triple to left center, her second hit of the day, scoring Riley.
 
JSU tied the contest 10-10 in the top of the sixth on a bases loaded walk.
 
In its next chance, the Gamecocks loaded the bases again, however, a huge defensive effort by the Colonels halted JSU's opportunity, sending the home team to the plate to win the game.
 
EKU opened the bottom of the seventh with a leadoff walk from Haynes and a single from Scott, placing runners on first and second. In the next at bat, Riley sacrificed her chance with a bunt to the left side, moving the Colonels into scoring position. Pertee sent a blooper perfectly over second base to bring in Haynes and steal the series, 11-10.
 
With 15 hits on Sunday, EKU totaled 34 hits in the three-game set against JSU, its highest total in ASUN play.
 
With the win, EKU has taken two of its last three series over Jacksonville State.
 
Next Up
EKU preps for a midweek clash at No. 16 Kentucky on Wednesday, April 26 at 5:30 p.m. ET. Fans can find tickets starting at $5 on UKAthletics.com or tune in on SEC Network+.