RICHMOND, Ky. – Behind a career-high 13-strikeout performance from freshman Maddi Rutan, the Eastern Kentucky University softball team completes a three-game sweep of Kennesaw State by a score of 3-0 on Sunday afternoon at Gertrude Hood Field.
 
With the win, EKU (23-4, 6-0 ASUN) has swept three straight Atlantic Sun Conference series over Central Arkansas, Kennesaw State, and Bellarmine dating back to last season.  The Colonels also extend a 14-game winning streak and 14 straight wins at home.
 
EKU's 22-4 record marks the best start to a season in program history.
 
Rutan, a two-way freshman player out of Columbus, Indiana, threw a complete 7.0 innings of work with 13 strikeouts, the most of her career.  She carried a perfect game through 5.2 innings.
 
Offensively, EKU had three hits from Jeanay Riley, Jaelin Haynes, and Madison Scott.  The Colonels left six runners on the base paths.
 
Rutan's perfect game bid was broken up in the sixth inning as 9-hole hitter Ty Hardeman sent a double to the left gap. Rutan had four Owl batters with two strikeouts, she struck out every batter in the KSU (10-21, 2-4 ASUN) lineup at least once.
 
EKU returns to action on Wednesday, March 24 taking on in-state Northern Kentucky at 4 p.m. EST back at Gertrude Hood Field.