NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Eastern Kentucky University softball team completed a series sweep of Lipscomb with an 8-0 run-rule victory.
 
A six-run third inning broke the game open for the Colonels, who improved to 18-15 overall and 7-2 in ASUN Conference play.
 
EKU's offense was firing on all cylinders, as seven of the nine batters recorded a hit and six players drove in a run. Kennedy Drafton led the way, going 1-for-3 with two runs, two RBIs, and a triple that sparked the third-inning surge.
 
Defensively, the Colonels were nearly flawless, allowing just two hits while shutting out the Bisons. Victoria Byrum (6-8) earned the win, splitting time in the circle with Tayteum Vigansky.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
 
The Colonels carried Saturday's momentum into Sunday, scoring in the opening inning. Drafton reached on a fielding error and advanced to third after Lilly Davis singled to right field. Jada McLeod followed with an RBI single to left, bringing Drafton home for a 1-0 lead.
 
Lipscomb threatened in the bottom of the second, putting runners on second and third, but EKU escaped the inning with a pop-up to strand both runners.
 
The game quickly got out of reach in the third inning, as the Colonels erupted for six runs. Makayla Mathis reached on a leadoff walk before Drafton launched a triple to right-center, driving her in. With Drafton on third, McLeod was hit by a pitch, and Jaelin Haynes followed with a single to left-center to load the bases.
 
Jordan Smith delivered an RBI single to score Drafton, and Skyler Billips added another RBI single to bring home McLeod and make it 3-0. After a Lipscomb pitching change, Riley Oleksik drew an RBI walk to score Haynes. Reese Knox capped the inning with a two-RBI single to left-center, pushing the lead to 7-0.
 
After two scoreless innings, EKU added its final run in the sixth. Knox opened the inning with a double and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt. Drafton lifted a sacrifice fly to bring Knox home and extend the lead to 8-0.
 
The Colonels closed out the game in the bottom of the sixth, retiring the side in order to secure the run-rule victory.
 
NEXT UP
 
The Colonels return home to face Louisville (29-7) in a midweek matchup on March 31 at 6 p.m. The game will be streamed on ESPN+ with live stats available.