RICHMOND, Ky. - Trailing by two into the second half of the game, the Eastern Kentucky University softball team rallied in a big way to secure a vital series win over Austin Peay, 6-4.

The Colonels (32-12, 13-4 ASUN) move to 2.5 games ahead of the second-place Governors in the Gold Division with six conference games remaining. The series win is the team's sixth in a row, having yet to drop a series this season.

Maddi Rutan (15-7) made her second start and recorded her second complete game of the weekend. The sophomore tallied ten strikeouts on the afternoon - including five in the final two innings - for her second consecutive and ninth overall double-digit strikeout showing on the year.

The Govs struck early in the first inning to take an early 1-0 lead. Kylie Campbell hit her first of two home runs on the day with a solo home run as the second batter. A Colonel response came in the bottom of the second as Skyler Billips reached base on a fielder's choice that allowed Makayla Mathis to score from third.

Campbell's second home run of the afternoon came soon after, putting the Govs back in front, 3-1 in the fourth, with a two-run homer down the right field line.

After two scoreless innings, the Colonels put together an electric two-out rally in the fifth inning, plating five runs to turn the 1-3 deficit into a 6-3 lead.

The Colonels got the party started with runners on first and second as Jada McLeod post an RBI single to right field to score Kennedy Drafton. Billips immediately followed up with her second RBI of the day, collecting her own RBI single the opposite direction to tie the game at 3-3.

With two runners on base, Lilly Davis put a cap on the rally in style, going yard over the left field fence for a three-run shot to put the Colonels ahead. The homer was just Davis' second of the season and her first since Apr. 2 against Morehead State.

The Govs threatened a rally of their own in the sixth with a lead-off solo home run to left center. However, Rutan tightened up and recorded three straight strikeouts to end the inning.

The Colonels failed to post any runs in the bottom of the sixth, giving Austin Peay one final chance with a two-run deficit into the final frame.

The lead-off hitter lined out to right field on an impressive diving catch from Reese Knox to keep the bases clear. The second APSU batter reached base on a hit-by-pitch on a 1-2 count to bring the tying run to the plate.

Once more, however, Rutan tightened things up and struck out the final two batters for her ninth and tenth strikeouts of the day to secure the win.

UP NEXT

The Colonels stay at home and get back into midweek action as the Kentucky Wildcats of the SEC make the short drive from Lexington to Gertrude Hood Field for a Wednesday matchup. The midweek tilt is set for 6 PM on Apr. 23 and will also be Greek Night.