Golden Eagles fall twice on senior day to Eastern Illinois
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. - The offense of Eastern Illinois proved to be
too much for the Golden Eagle softball team as the Panthers won
both games of the doubleheader, 11-0 and 2-1.
Torrential rain on Friday caused severe damage to the playing
surface and forced a complete rescheduling of the contests. Coach
Tory Acheson and his players worked several hours to get the field
in playable condition. The schedule called for a doubleheader on
Friday and a single game at 1 on Saturday, but due to the storms,
the teams agreed to play a pair of games at 3 on Saturday
afternoon. Senior Kristina Hortert played her final regular-season
innings at the Tech softball field, getting the start for the
Golden Eagles in game one.
After striking out the first two batters, EIU got two on following
a walk and an error by freshman Jordan Leff. Hailee Hanna then put
the Panthers on top, hitting a shot over the left-field fence,
driving in three.
The Panthers struck again in the top of the next frame. A pair of
singles and a walk loaded the bases for Denee Menzione, who hit a
grand slam to left-center on an 0-2 pitch.
The Golden Eagles got two on in the second, but were unable to
convert as Kiley Holtz turned a double play, catching a line drive
then picking off sophomore Lacie Coquerille at second.
Eastern Illinois added three more in the third after freshman
Whitney Cummings came in to pitch for the Golden Eagles. Melinda
Jackson singled to open the inning and was followed by Hayley
Pieper who reached on a fielder's choice. Sarah Coppert then hit
her second home run of the season, a three-run blast to center
field.
Cummings retired the final six batters consecutively, but received
no help from her offense as Tech got just one hit in the las three
innings of the game.
Hortert took the loss, allowing five earned runs and four walks in
her two innings in the circle.
Amber May picked up the shutout win for EIU, allowing just three
hits and one walk while striking out three.
Game two looked to be just the opposite as the Panthers were held
hitless through the first three innings by freshman pitcher Holly
Thomas.
Tech took the lead in the third when freshman Brooke Basten singled
and stole second, then advanced to third on a single by freshman
Cassidy Skeen. A sacrifice fly to center by Coquerille scored
Basten, putting Tech up 1-0.
The Panthers answered in the fourth, scoring two on one hit.
Coppert opened the inning by walking on five pitches. Menzione then
singled to center and came all the way around to score when
sophomore catcher Callie Schmidt threw the ball into left field,
trying to pick off Coppert at third.
The Golden Eagles were able to get two runners aboard in the bottom
of the inning, but a pair of pop-outs held them scoreless.
Neither team was able to muster a hit for the remainder of the
game, holding the score at 2-1.
Thomas struck out seven and walked one, allowing no earned runs and
only one hit in the contest.
Kathleen Jacoby suffered the loss, giving up five hits and striking
out five Golden Eagle batters.
Tech will travel to Belmont on Tuesday afternoon for a single game
at 1.
