MOBILE, Ala. – The Eastern Kentucky University softball team captured wins in its last three games of the South Alabama Invitational against Central Michigan, South Alabama, and UAB, going 5-0 over the weekend, on Saturday and Sunday at Jaguar Field.
 
With its perfect 5-0 record over the weekend, EKU improves to 9-0 on the season, continuing the best start to a season in program history.
 
EKU's Maddi Rutan, Jaelin Haynes, Vianna Barron, Kennedy Drafton, and Jasmine Miller were named to the All-Tournament Team at the conclusion of games on Sunday.  The Colonels had the most players named to the All-Tournament Team and were the only team in the field to go unbeaten over the weekend.
 
Drafton, a native of Pearland, Texas, went 8-for-16 over the weekend with nine RBIs, seven runs scored, two doubles, and her first collegiate home run.  Her weekend was highlighted by a 3-for-4 game on Saturday against CMU with a season-high seven RBIs, four of which coming from a grand slam.
 
Next, Maddi Rutan improved her overall record in the circle to 5-0 with wins over Northern Illinois, Central Michigan, and South Alabama, tossing 19.1 innings with 12 strikeouts and only four runs allowed.  Rutan has a 1.19 ERA in 29.1 innings this season with 26 strikeouts.
 
Through nine games, six of EKU's nine starters ended the stretch with a .350 batting average or better. Drafton, Haynes, Miller, and Madison Scott all have a .400 BA or better.
 
EKU returns to action next weekend (Feb. 24-26) in St. George, Utah at the Utah Tech Tournament.  The Colonels will play five games like this weekend's action against Utah State, Weber State, and host Utah Tech.