NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Eastern Kentucky University softball team could not secure the sweep over Lipscomb on Sunday afternoon, falling 3-11, but still walked away with the series win after taking both halves of a doubleheader the day before.

The Colonels (30-11, 11-3 ASUN) are 7-3 in their last ten conference games and still sit atop the Gold Division, 1.5 games ahead of Austin Peay, and second overall in the ASUN.

Lauren Narvaez (2-2) was the starting pitcher for the Colonels on the day, with Victoria Byrum and Emma Bethel making appearances in relief.

The Colonels struck first, jumping out to an early 1-0 lead in the first inning, but the Bison scored two in the bottom half to take a lead they would not relinquish. 

Kennedy Drafton opened her game up with a bang. As just the second batter on the day, the sophomore drove one deep to center for a solo home run - her eighth of the year and almost triple her previous season total.

After two scoreless innings, the Bison opened the game up with three runs in the bottom of the fourth. The Colonels drew one back with another run in the fifth and the sixth, but Lipscomb put together three consecutive three-run frames to end the contest an inning early.

Maddi Rutan picked up her fourth consecutive game with an RBI off a sacrifice groundout in the fifth, while Jaelin Haynes broke her RBI drought with a single to shortstop in the sixth.

UP NEXT

The Colonels return to Gertrude Hood Field for a pivotal series that could decide the fate of the ASUN Gold Division, hosting second-place Austin Peay with a doubleheader on Friday and the series finale on Saturday. The Friday doubleheader is set for 1 PM and 3:30 PM while Saturday's matchup is slated for 1 PM.

The Colonels will enter the weekend at 11-3 in conference play, while the Govs come in at 10-5 with just three more ASUN series left to play. The nearest competitor to the two in the division is Central Arkansas at 8-6, but the Colonels hold the head-to-head advantage over UCA.