RICHMOND, Ky. - The Eastern Kentucky University softball team fell to Marshall, 6-1, in its final home game of the season.
 
Four pitchers saw action for EKU, with senior Emma Bethel closing out the game for her final appearance at Gertrude Hood Field.
 
The Colonels' defense kept the Herd in check for much of the contest, but a five-run fourth inning by Marshall proved to be the difference.
 
EKU finished with four hits and stranded six runners on base.
 
The Colonels' lone run came in the second inning when Lilly Davis launched a home run deep over the left-field fence. It marked Davis's second straight home run after also going deep in her previous at-bat against Central Arkansas.
 
Marshall evened the score in the third inning with a solo home run. The Herd then broke the game open in the fourth, loading the bases and scoring on a walk, a two-run single, and two additional runs following an EKU fielding error.
 
The Colonels had a chance to cut into the deficit in the sixth after Kennedy Drafton reached third base, but a ground-ball double play ended the threat and set up the final out.
 
NEXT UP
 
The Colonels head to Bellarmine for an in-state conference series. The series opens with a doubleheader on Saturday, followed by the finale on Sunday. Saturday's doubleheader will be streamed on ESPN+.