The Eastern Kentucky University softball team opened Ohio Valley Conference play with a doubleheader sweep of Austin Peay on Sunday afternoon at Cheryl Holt Field, winning game one, 7-3, before shutting out the Govs, 1-0, in game two.
EKU (13-16, 2-0 OVC) got on the board first in game one, as junior Johnkyria Alston delivered a two-run single in the top of the first that scored senior Krislyn Campos and freshman Mia Sanchez.
After APSU (11-17, 1-3 OVC) answered with two of its own in the bottom of the first, the Colonels took the lead for good in the top of the second off back-to-back solo home runs from Campos and Sanchez.
Eastern added another run on an RBI single by sophomore Rachel Minogue in the top of the fourth.
After APSU scored in the bottom of the fifth to make it a three-run game, EKU plated two more in the bottom of the seventh to put the game away.
Senior Alex Sallberg (6-7) hurled a complete game for the Colonels, going seven innings and allowing only three runs on six hits. She struck out five batters.
Campos and Sanchez combined to go 6-for-7 with six runs scored and two RBI at the top of Eastern’s lineup.
Freshman pitcher Mollie Paulick (4-5) delivered a virtuoso performance in EKU’s game two victory. The native of Centerville, Ohio rolled through a one-hit shutout, while striking out 11 batters. Paulick now owns a 1.26 ERA and batters are hitting just .174 against her.
Campos played the role of offensive hero in game two. The senior came through with a two-out RBI single in the top of the fifth that scored Kelly Wood and gave Paulick all the run support she needed.
Paulick was two outs away from a no-hitter. APSU notched its only hit of game two with one out in the bottom of the seventh.
Wood finished game two 2-for-3 with the game-winning run.
EKU returns to action on Monday with a doubleheader at Murray State. First pitch is scheduled for 12:00 p.m.
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Steve Fohl
Associate Director of EKUSports Communications