SPARTANBURG, S.C. - The Eastern Kentucky University softball team split their two games once again at the Sparkle City Invite, moving to a 2-2 record on the weekend.

The Colonels (8-4, 0-0 ASUN) grabbed their second victory of the weekend against SC State (4-4, 0-0 MEAC) before co-hosts Wofford (11-3, 0-0 SoCon) pulled away late to keep the Colonels at bay.

GAME ONE - EKU 2, SCSU 1

Taking the circle first for the Colonels was Tayteum Vigansky (3-1) who grabbed the win for the Colonels while Maddi Rutan (2 SV) picked up her second save in as many reliever appearances on the weekend.

EKU was on the board early, scoring their two runs with one run apiece in the first and second innings. Jaelin Haynes capitalized on a Bulldog wild pitch to steal home for the first run of the game.

With bases loaded in the second, Kennedy Drafton took a hit-by-pitch to draw a walk and bring home Jada McLeod.

The Bulldogs got one run back in the fourth inning and threatened more with two runners on base and one out, but Rutan stepped into the circle and shut down the SC State comeback. Rutan gave up just one hit in the relief appearance while striking out eight, bringing her strikeout total for the weekend up to 18 to secure the win.

GAME TWO - EKU 2, WOF 4

Victoria Byrum made the start for the Colonels in the second game of the day with Lauren Narvaez (2-2) and Brooke Davis making appearances in the circle as well.

Wofford jumped out to an early lead with two runs in the bottom of the second. The Colonels responded right back with two runs of their own in the third thanks to a Drafton double to tally two RBIs. 

With the game tied, the Terriers brought one run across in both the fifth and sixth innings to push the score to 4-2. The Colonels threatened a comeback in the final frame with a leadoff single but could not convert any runs.

UP NEXT

The Colonels close out the weekend with one final game, this time taking on Colgate at Hope Field. First pitch is scheduled for 11 AM.