RICHMOND, Ky. - Game one of the battle for the top spot in the ASUN Gold Division lived up to the hype as Eastern Kentucky secured a dramatic 9-8 victory over Central Arkansas on Saturday.
 
The Colonels (24-19, 11-4 ASUN) entered the bottom of the seventh trailing by two runs, but responded with three runs in an inning that began in pouring rain to complete the comeback.
 
EKU used three pitchers in the circle. Victoria Byrum handled the majority of the work, keeping the Colonels within striking distance while recording seven strikeouts. Tayteum Vigansky (8-2) earned the win after helping EKU escape the sixth inning and then shutting down the Bears in the seventh.
 
At the plate, the Colonels finished with five hits and eight walks, while Jocelyn Owen delivered the biggest swing of the day with a grand slam in the game one victory.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
 
EKU wasted no time getting on the board, scoring once in the bottom of the first inning. Jaelin Haynes reached on a fielder's choice, stole second, and moved to third on a groundout before scoring on a wild pitch from Central Arkansas.
 
After a scoreless second inning, the Bears answered with three runs in the top of the third to take the lead. Central Arkansas scored its first run on a fielding error before adding a two-run home run to move in front, 3-1.
 
Trailing in the bottom of the third, the Colonels loaded the bases with a single from Haynes and walks by Kennedy Drafton and Jada McLeod. Jocelyn Owen then delivered the biggest swing of the game, launching a grand slam deep to left field to give EKU a 5-3 advantage. The home run marked the first of Owen's career and the first grand slam of the season for the Colonels.
 
In the fourth inning, EKU recorded a quick three outs with the help of a double play that erased a runner at third base. In the bottom half of the inning, Makayla Mathis reached after being hit by a pitch and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Drafton later brought Mathis home on a fielder's choice to extend the lead to 6-3.
 
Following another scoreless inning from both teams, Central Arkansas surged ahead with a five-run sixth inning. The Bears opened the rally with a two-run double before tying the game on a wild pitch. Central Arkansas then took the lead when a runner scored as EKU attempted to turn a double play at first base. An RBI single capped the inning and gave the Bears an 8-6 lead.
 
Entering the bottom of the seventh trailing by two, the Colonels were met by heavy rain at Gertrude Hood Field. The field was cleared, and after a brief turmoil, play resumed in the downpour, and EKU mounted its comeback.
 
Lilly Davis opened the inning by drawing a walk, and Kaitlyn Wallis entered as a pinch runner. Jordan Smith then dropped down a bunt single to put two runners on with no outs.
 
After a strikeout, pressure continued to build as Jocelyn Owen reached on a fielding error by the first baseman, loading the bases. Sharyn Duncan then stepped in as a pinch hitter and delivered, reaching on a fielder's choice that brought Wallis home to cut the deficit to 8-7, though Smith was retired at third on the play.
 
Vanessa Keller and Emily Mariscal entered as pinch runners, and the Colonels kept applying pressure. Mathis reached on a throwing error by the shortstop, allowing Keller to move to third and Mariscal to advance to second.
 
With the game on the line, Reese Knox showed patience at the plate and drew a bases-loaded walk to tie the game at 8-8. Moments later, a wild pitch skipped away, allowing Mariscal to race home with the winning run and complete EKU's dramatic comeback.
 
NEXT UP
 
The Colonels close the series Sunday with a doubleheader beginning at 10 a.m. Before game two, EKU will honor its senior class during Senior Day ceremonies.