RICHMOND, Ky. – For the fourth time in program history, the EKU softball team clinches the outright 2024 Atlantic Sun Conference Regular Season Championship with 7-2 and 4-1 wins over Lipscomb on Thursday evening at Gertrude Hood Field.
 
Thursday's wins also clinch the No. 1 seed in the 2024 ASUN Championship, EKU earns a double-bye in the tournament and will open play on May 9 at 12:30 p.m. EST against the winner of the to-be-determined No. 4 seed and play-in game between the No. 5 and No. 8 seeds.
 
EKU (39-8, 20-3 ASUN) defeated Lipscomb on Thursday by scores of 7-2 in game one and 4-1 in game two to take the series.  With a win in tomorrow's series finale, the Colonels would obtain win No. 40 for just the fourth time in program history.  
 
EKU's wins on Thursday also mark 20 wins inside conference play for just the third time in program history.
 
The Colonels were once again led by freshman two-way star Maddi Rutan, who earned the win in game one throwing a 7-inning complete game with nine strikeouts to move to 23-4 on the season.  In game two, Rutan went 2-for-3 with two home runs and three RBIs to claim the team lead in home runs at eight on the season.
 
Additionally, Vianna Barron went 2-for-3 in game two with a solo home run to dead center in front of her family for Senior Day.  The Colonels honored a five-member senior class that included Barron, Rylie Grantz, Jeanay Riley, Jasmine Miller, and Madison Scott during pregame festivities.
 
EKU's Riley, Jaelin Haynes, and Makayla Mathis ended Thursday's game with multi-hit performances.  Junior pitcher Lauren Narvaez (3-1) earned the win in game two going 6.0 innings with one strikeout.
 
Next Up
EKU returns to action tomorrow at 11 a.m. EST for the series finale against Lipscomb back at Gertrude Hood Field.