CLEARWATER, Fla. - The Eastern Kentucky University softball team closed its opening weekend at the NFCA Leadoff Classic with a 3-1 victory over Pittsburgh.
 
The win marked the Colonels' (2-3, 0-0 ASUN) second straight victory after a 3-1 win over North Carolina Central on Saturday.
 
Starting in the circle for EKU was Tayteum Vigansky, who pitched 2.2 innings before Bayle Hunnicutt (2-2) came in and finished out the game to earn the win.
 
The Colonels struck first in the top of the second inning. Makayla Mathis ignited the frame with an infield single and moved into scoring position after Jordan Smith worked a walk. With two outs, Taci Haase delivered a clutch RBI single to right-center, bringing Mathis home to give EKU a 1-0 lead.
 
In the bottom of the third inning, Pitt put runners on second and third with two outs, prompting a pitching change as Hunnicutt entered the circle. Hunnicutt forced a popout to end the inning and preserve the Colonels' lead.
 
The game settled into a stalemate over the next several innings, as both pitching crews held firm until the top of the sixth inning. Lilly Davis opened the frame with a single down the left-field line, and pinch-runner Kaitlyn Wallis moved into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt by Mathis. Jada McLeod came through with the biggest hit of the contest, ripping an RBI single to shallow left to score Wallis and extend the Colonels' lead to 2-0.
 
The Panthers responded in the bottom of the sixth, trimming the deficit after a defensive miscue allowed a run to score. EKU limited the damage, stranding two runners and holding a 2-1 advantage heading into the final inning.
 
The Colonels tacked on another key run in the top of the seventh. Jaelin Haynes reached on a fielder's choice and then stole second base before Mathis delivered big for the Colonels with an RBI single, driving in Haynes to extend the Colonels' lead to 3-1.
 
EKU sealed the win in the bottom of the seventh after Pitt put a runner in scoring position, but the Colonels' defense held firm, retiring the final three batters to secure the 3-1 victory.
 
The Colonels' defense rose to the occasion, limiting Pittsburgh to just 1-for-16 with runners in scoring position and stranding 10 runners.
 
UP NEXT
 
EKU will travel to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, next to compete in the Puerto Vallarta College Challenge, Feb. 11–14.
 
The Colonels are one of four teams in the round-robin event, joined by Southern Illinois, UTSA, and Long Beach State.
 
EKU opens tournament play on Feb. 11 at 1 p.m. ET against Southern Illinois.