PUERTO VALLARTA, Mexico - Eastern Kentucky split a doubleheader at the Puerto Vallarta College Challenge on Wednesday, falling to Southern Illinois before rebounding with an 11-1 victory over UTSA.

The Colonels (3-4, 0-0 ASUN) scored 18 runs on the day, weathering a high-scoring opener before delivering an offensive barrage in the nightcap.
 
GAME ONE - EKU 7, SIU 22
 
Southern Illinois entered the contest riding a five-game winning streak, and the Salukis delivered a dominant performance. Facing all five Colonel pitchers, they exploded for 22 runs, including a nine-run fifth inning. The Salukis drew 11 walks and scored three home runs. Sydney Potter, who entered the game with five home runs on the season, delivered with one home run and six RBIs. Emily Williams also turned in a stellar performance, launching two home runs and driving in seven runs on three at-bats.
 
The Colonels struck first in the bottom of the first inning. Jaelin Haynes ignited the frame with a single down the left-field line. Jada McLeod reached on a fielding error, allowing Haynes to score from first and give EKU a 1-0 lead.
 
The Salukis responded in the top of the second inning. After a pair of walks and a single loaded the bases, Potter delivered a two-run double to left field to give Southern Illinois its first lead of the game. The damage continued as Williams drew an RBI walk, and Erin Lee followed with a two-run double to left-center.
 
The Colonels answered immediately in the bottom of the second inning. Reese Knox reached on a single and advanced to third on a Southern Illinois error. After a pair of walks loaded the bases, Lilly Davis was hit by a pitch to plate the first run of the frame.
 
McLeod and Makayla Mathis followed with consecutive RBI walks before Claire Schreiner tied the game with an RBI single through the left side. Jordan Smith capped the five-run inning with another RBI walk, giving EKU a 6-5 lead.
 
Southern Illinois regained the momentum in the top of the third inning. After three straight singles loaded the bases, Potter reached on a fielding error in center field that allowed the tying run to score. Salukis pushed another run across on an RBI walk from Williams to retake the lead.
 
The Colonels responded once again in the bottom of the third inning. Knox worked a leadoff walk and moved into scoring position before Davis delivered a two-out RBI single to right field, bringing Knox home to even the score at 7-7.
 
Southern Illinois broke the game open in the top of the fourth inning. The Salukis capitalized on a leadoff walk before Potter launched a three-run home run to left field. Two batters later, Emily added a two-run shot to center field, capping a six-run inning.
 
Southern Illinois added nine runs in the top of the fifth inning, highlighted by a three-run home run from Williams.
 
The game was called after five innings, with Southern Illinois earning the 22-7 victory.
 
GAME TWO - EKU 11, UTSA 1

UTSA entered the matchup with momentum following a 3-1 victory over Southern Illinois earlier in the day.

But the night quickly turned into the Sharyn Duncan show.

Duncan went 3-for-4, scoring three runs and driving in four to lead the Colonels.

Tayteum Vigansky (1-0) set the tone in the circle. The redshirt junior earned the win, tossing four innings and allowing three hits and one run.

EKU got to work early, wasting no time in the second inning. Riley Oleksik stole second and moved to third on a Smith single to center. Duncan delivered a two-run double to left-center to put the Colonels ahead, then scored on a wild pitch to extend the lead to 3-0.

The Colonels extended their lead in the third. Kaitlyn Wallis drew an RBI walk to make it 4-0. Duncan ripped her second two-run double to push the advantage to 6-0. Schreiner added a run after being hit by a pitch, stretching the lead to 7-0.

EKU sealed the victory in the fifth. Duncan sparked the rally with a double and scored later on Emily Mariscal's RBI double. Kennedy Drafton followed with an RBI single before Smith delivered a two-run double to left-center, stretching the lead to 11-0 and sealing the win for the Colonels.

NEXT UP

The Colonels return to action tomorrow at 5 p.m. ET to face Long Beach State. Long Beach State has yet to compete in the tournament and will open its day with a matchup against Southern Illinois.