RICHMOND, Ky. – Eastern Kentucky softball completed a Saturday doubleheader sweep of North Alabama, handing the Lions their first ASUN series loss of the season.
North Alabama entered the day on a seven-game winning streak and sat atop the ASUN Gold Division standings. Game one featured a high-scoring battle that saw three EKU pitchers and a resilient Colonels comeback. Trailing 5-2 after the top of the fifth, Eastern Kentucky answered with three runs in the bottom half of the inning to tie the game and seize momentum.
The game was ultimately decided by the biggest swing of the season, as
Kennedy Drafton launched a two-run home run in the bottom of the sixth to give EKU the lead.
The Colonels carried that momentum into game two and controlled the action throughout, turning in a defensive masterclass led by
Victoria Byrum, who held one of the top offenses in the ASUN scoreless while EKU plated five runs in a complete team performance.
Lilly Davis had a monster day at the plate for the Colonels, going 4-for-5 with four RBIs.
Jada McLeod and Drafton also delivered standout performances, each recording a home run, a double and three RBIs.
GAME ONE – EKU 7, UNA 6
EKU got off to a hot start, building a 2-0 lead through three innings. The first run of the day came in the second when McLeod delivered her 20th RBI of the season, doubling to right-center to score
Jordan Smith and make it 1-0.
Later in the third,
Reese Knox reached scoring position after a walk and a single by Drafton before
Lilly Davis sent a high fly ball into play that the Lions were unable to track down, allowing Knox to score.
Freshman
Bayle Hunnicutt, who got the start in the circle for the Colonels, limited the Lions early and allowed just one hit through three innings. North Alabama broke through in the fourth with a two-run home run to tie the game. Two batters later, the Lions added another home run to take the lead.
In the top of the fifth, North Alabama loaded the bases and extended its lead to 5-2 on a sacrifice fly and an RBI single.
The Colonels were not fazed and responded in the bottom half of the inning. Drafton doubled down the right-field line to move
Jaelin Haynes to third. Davis followed with an RBI single to right, scoring Haynes and moving Drafton to third. McLeod then lifted a sacrifice fly to center to bring home Drafton. Moments later,
Skyler Billips drilled a shot down the right-field line to score
Vanessa Keller and tie the game at five, capping the three-run inning.
In the top of the sixth,
Tayteum Vigansky made the biggest defensive play of the day for EKU. Entering in relief with the bases loaded, she stranded all three runners by recording the final out of the inning.
In the bottom of the sixth, Knox walked and stole second to set the stage for the biggest moment of the season. Drafton then launched a game-clinching two-run home run deep to right field, giving the Colonels a 7-5 lead and ultimately the victory.
GAME TWO – EKU 5, UNA 0
EKU carried that momentum into the second game of the day as
Victoria Byrum got the start and dismantled the Lions' offense. Byrum allowed just five hits, struck out five and kept North Alabama off the scoreboard.
The Colonels jumped in front with a three-run third inning. Freshmen
Jocelyn Owen and
Claire Schreiner each reached base before senior
Jaelin Haynes delivered an RBI double for the first run of the game. With Schreiner on third, Drafton picked up her third RBI of the day by bringing her home. Davis capped the inning with an RBI single to make it 3-0.
In the bottom of the fifth, Haynes reached third before Davis continued her strong day with a sacrifice fly to center, scoring Haynes. In the sixth, McLeod delivered the exclamation point, drilling a home run to left-center to seal the 5-0 win.
NEXT UP
EKU will look to close out the series with another win on Sunday. The Colonels can move into first place in the ASUN Gold Division standings with a victory. First pitch is set for 1 p.m., with live stats available.
