EIU completes sweep of Golden Eagles
The Tennessee Tech softball team was unable to avenge a pair of Saturday losses to Eastern Illinois, dropping its Sunday contest, 6-3. The Golden Eagles jumped out to a 1-0 lead early, but couldn't hang on as EIU completed the three-game sweep.
CHARLESTON, Ill. -- The Tennessee Tech softball team was unable to avenge a pair of Saturday losses to Eastern Illinois on Sunday, dropping the final game of the series, 6-3.
The Golden Eagles (12-18, 2-3 OVC) jumped on top early when a pair of singles and a walk loaded the bases in the top of the first. Sophomore Jessica Steele was then able to draw a two-out walk to score junior Lacie Coquerille from third.
The Panthers (13-11, 5-0 OVC) stormed back in the bottom of the second, scoring three runs without a hit. With one out, a hit batter and two walks loaded the bases for the Panthers who cleared the bases with the help of a Golden Eagle error, making the score 3-1.
Freshman Claudia Harke took over in the circle for Tech to start the third, but had no luck, giving up a walk and two singles to give EIU its fourth run of the game.
Freshman Melody Christian and junior Anna Zdroik reached safely in the fourth, and came in to score off of an EIU error off the bat of Coquerille, putting the Golden Eagles within one.
The game settled down until the sixth when EIU extended its lead to three and sealed the game. With two outs and runners on second and third, an error by Zdroik allowed two unearned runs to score, ending the scoring at 6-3.
Tech didn’t go down without a fight, loading the bases in the seventh on singles by Christian and Coquerille and a walk to junior Callie Schmidt. The Panthers got out of the inning without giving up a run as a line-drive double play ended the contest.
Sophomore Holly Thomas took the loss, allowing three unearned runs in two innings, walking two and striking out one.
Whitney Cummings wrapped up the game for Tech, pitching the final three innings. Cummings gave up two runs on two hits and struck out three while walking a pair.
Christian and Coquerille each went 2-4 on the day, each scoring a run. Schmidt was a perfect 2-2 with a pair of walks.
The Golden Eagles return to action on Tuesday, hosting Jacksonville State in an OVC doubleheader at the Tech Softball Field. The first pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.
