RICHMOND, Ky. – The Eastern Kentucky University softball team prepares to host Central Connecticut for a four-game series this Saturday and Sunday at Gertrude Hood Field.
EKU and Central Connecticut will play two doubleheaders on both March 9-10, Saturday's games scheduled to start at 5 and 7:30 p.m. EST, fans can receive a free EKU blanket while supplies last.
On Sunday, another doubleheader scheduled for Noon and 2:30 p.m. EST will be Kids Day at the ballpark, where kids 12 or under receive free admission and can run the bases post-game.
Tickets for this weekend's softball action can be found
online here or at the stadium starting at just $5.
Those not able to make it out can find Sunday's doubleheader streamed live on ESPN+ with Greg Stotelmyer on the call.
EKU (14-4) is coming off its third tournament victory this season after going 4-0 in the Colonel Classic, outscoring opponents 23-2 with two shutouts.
The Colonels enter this weekend's slate on a 10-game home winning streak dating back to April 22, 2023, and has won its last five games on the season.
Freshman infielder
Kennedy Drafton leads EKU offensively hitting .442 on the year with a team leading 19 hits and 15 RBIs. The Pearland, Texas native also has four doubles, two home runs, and 10 walks.
In the circle, freshman two-way player
Maddi Rutan leads the team with a 7-2 overall record, 1.27 ERA, and 43 strikeouts in 55.0 innings of work. She's a two-time Atlantic Sun Conference Pitcher of the Week recipient this season.
Additionally, EKU position players
Madison Scott (.359),
Jasmine Miller (.347),
Jaelin Haynes (.346),
Jeanay Riley (.345),
Vianna Barron (.333), and
Maggie Pertee (.300) all sport above .300 batting averages, helping the Colonels in their ASUN-leading batting totals.
Miller leads EKU with three home runs and 33 total bases.
Central Connecticut (10-1) is off to its best start in the Breanne Gleason era, taking a four game series over Saint Peter's, a three game series over Holy Cross, two game series over Norfolk State, and a win over Hampton this season. CCSU's only loss this season was to Marist by a score of 13-3 in six innings.
CCSU is led by infielders Ava Cino and Paige Stringer, who are both hitting over .400 and combine for eight home runs this season. In the circle, Kaylee Whittaker leads the team with a 5-1 overall record with 34 strikeouts in 30.0 innings with a 1.17 ERA.
After the CCSU series this weekend and a midweek tilt with Western Kentucky on March 13, the Colonels will begin their third season in the ASUN Conference opening at defending league champion, Central Arkansas, from March 15-16 at Farris Field.
