RICHMOND, Ky. – The Eastern Kentucky University softball team clinched its first ASUN Conference series win of the season with a 3–2 victory over Austin Peay on Sunday afternoon.
The Colonels (13-14, 2-1 ASUN) trailed for most of the game before rallying in the bottom of the fifth inning, when
Kennedy Drafton delivered a two-RBI double to give EKU the lead and secure the series.
EKU's defense shut down the Governors after the third inning, allowing just one hit the rest of the way.
Tayteum Vigansky (4-2) earned the win in the circle for the Colonels after coming on in relief. She dismantled the Austin Peay offense, allowing just one hit while striking out three batters across three innings of work.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Governors struck first in the opening inning after reaching base with a single and a hit-by-pitch. A single up the middle brought a runner home from second to give Austin Peay a 1-0 lead. With runners on second and third,
Bayle Hunnicutt worked out of the jam, striking out the next two batters before inducing a groundout to strand both runners.
In the top of the third, the Governors recorded two quick groundouts before launching a home run on an 0-2 count to deep left field, extending the lead to 2-0.
EKU responded in the bottom of the fourth.
Lilly Davis singled to left-center before
Jada McLeod drilled a double to left field to move the runner to third.
Jaelin Haynes followed with a sacrifice fly that brought
Kaitlyn Wallis home, cutting the deficit to 2-1.
After five innings, Austin Peay still held the 2-1 lead. That changed in the bottom of the fifth when
Reese Knox and
Makayla Mathis each singled to move into scoring position.
Kennedy Drafton then delivered the dagger, doubling to right-center to bring both runners home and give EKU its first lead of the day.
The Colonels took control from there, shutting down the Governors' offense the rest of the way. EKU retired the side in order in the top of the sixth before closing out the game in the seventh with a groundout to McLeod to secure the 3-2 victory.
NEXT UP
The Colonels return to action March 21–22 as they host a series against Bellarmine. The Knights (9-17, 2-1 ASUN) enter the matchup after a 2-1 series win over Lipscomb.
